Crappie, with their delicious flaky meat and exciting angling appeal, are a popular choice for farm pond owners. However, while crappie fishing offers plenty of rewards, it also presents unique challenges, especially in smaller ponds. Managing crappie populations is...
Bass overcrowding is probably the most common problem we see in all the ponds we manage. Yes, vegetation management is a problem for many. But as far as the fish populations go, bass overcrowding is rampant in ponds across the southeast. Much of this is due to minimal...
If you want to sustain a healthy, self-sustaining population of bluegill and largemouth bass in your pond, focusing on habitat—especially in the shallow areas—is essential. Bluegill and largemouth bass rely on these areas to meet their unique needs for reproduction,...
One of the most powerful tools in pond management today is electrofishing, which offers a non-lethal method of surveying fish populations. Before you invest in stocking fish, an electrofishing survey can provide you with valuable insights that will help you make...
Pond turnover, a natural phenomenon that can negatively impact the health of aquatic ecosystems, is often a major concern for pond owners. It occurs when layers of water in a pond or lake mix due to temperature changes, and it can lead to fish kills, foul odors, and...
Cormorants, often seen as harmless aquatic birds, can pose significant threats to farm pond ecosystems, particularly by depleting fish populations. These large, dark-feathered birds are highly skilled hunters with voracious appetites, which can lead to a noticeable...
For private lake and pond owners, the dream of growing trophy bass can be both a thrilling ambition and a daunting challenge. While fisheries biologists can often develop effective pond management plans tailored to individual goals, the size of the pond or lake plays...
Effective pond management is crucial for maintaining a balanced and healthy aquatic ecosystem, especially in environments where natural predation and population control may be limited. One of the most effective and versatile tools available to pond managers is...
The term “algae” is often used as a blanket term to describe many different types of pond vegetation. There are some forms of “algae” that we want to encourage in a pond ecosystem, but there are also other types of algae that we closely monitor...
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are one of the most popular freshwater game fish in North America. Anglers often distinguish between the Northern Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides) and the Florida Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides...
