Thread: Put in charge of 210 Acre Lake- I know nothing about Crappie- Need your Magical Minds

I dont know alot about your situation but I would say hold off on your stocking until you can see what you need.If you are seeing alot of bass and blue gill in the 3-5 inch range why would you be stocking more in that size.Its possible you could have way to many fish in there and that is the reason for the size that you have now.The best thing that you could do would be get a state fish bioligist to come speak to the HOA and explain how important it is to do a survey so that you can put the lake in proper balance

Originally Posted by clfarms1

I dont know alot about your situation but I would say hold off on your stocking until you can see what you need.If you are seeing alot of bass and blue gill in the 3-5 inch range why would you be stocking more in that size. Its possible you could have way to many fish in there and that is the reason for the size that you have now.The best thing that you could do would be get a state fish bioligist to come speak to the HOA and explain how important it is to do a survey so that you can put the lake in proper balance

X2. I wouldn't stock anything until you find out what the population is like. Normally when a lake suddenly stops producing good crappie, it is because it has become stunted due to overpopulation. Without fisherman pressure, or some type of massive fish kill, crappie populations are not likely to decline on their own. Stocking Crappie into an already over populated lake will only make things worse. If the main goal is to improve the fishery, then taking a sample is a must before stocking. Otherwise, you may be wasting your time, and it will cost you more money in the long run.

Might want to add shad...In the Kansas state forum is a sub-forum called "Ask the Biologist". Would ask him, he IS a State certified biologist, after all...as far as keeping any attractors `on the cheap`, go around to the local "C" tree lots and offer to take their left over trees if they will deliver them . If not, contact the township officials where the pond is and offer to take them after Christmas IF they will deliver them. You should end up with a few trees. Look at each tree, most are slightly bowed. Cut all branches off curved side of each trunk 18" up, INCLUDING any nubs; you want it as flat as possible. Go to a cement block maker/ retailer and buy `2cnds`; blocks that have minor or cosmetic flaws. Usually they sell for 50- 75 cents each. Get them to the pond, and place in stacks 2 blocks tall. Put trunk of tree on upper block adjust the tree so it is as FLAT as possible. Start at the upper end and secure with light plastic coated steel cable thru the block, over then completely around each trunk once. Add a loosened clamp and put a pair of Vice Grips on each end of the cable. Tighten it HARD getting ALL slack out of the cable, then tighten clamp nuts. Tie the lower end with VHD weed eater line, again ensuring there is NO slack in the line . Test by lifting the cut end of tree trunk; if the block does not come up immediately when lifting, put it back down and loosen it and retie it until NO slack remains. Then water the trees well in rows from about 6 to 20 ft on the steepest structure and/ or on windward shore. Sets can also be placed on any bare bottom in groups of 5- 20 trees...also osage orange (hedge apple) is EXCELLENT for cover lasting 20+ yrs mulberry "only lasts about 10, locust about 15...good luck, sir !

My first thought mirrors others on here, why stock bass when you have so many already? Sounds like too many fish in the pond, so no growth. Is the lake C&R only? If not, what are the take limits? I don't see how 10-15 anglers can keep a lake with that size and biodiversity balanced.

I agree with everyone, why stock something that has plenty of fish already? It needs some fishing pressure to recover if all you have is small fish.

The first thing you need to do is check your water quality...pH, alkalinity, and hardness. It is not good that the water is so clear, that means there is very little nutrients in the water. it all starts with primary productivity for your small bream/minnow/shad species which will be your prey base for the crappie and bass. You really need to think about fertilizing to boost primary productivity, however you need to check your water chemistry first to see if you need to lime before fertilizing. I would definitely hold off on stocking anymore bass until springtime. the bass are going to be your major consumers and will pick off all those fingerling crappie you are introducing. also ask what kind of hybrids they are....If they are the "Georgia giants" they can really mess up your balance in a couple years. after several generations breed they revert back to there original parents. after about 3 years of Georgia giants you will be overrun my stunted fish. you really need to get a balance check to properly stock, but fertilizing will help tremendously.

Originally Posted by bioguy

The first thing you need to do is check your water quality...pH, alkalinity, and hardness. It is not good that the water is so clear, that means there is very little nutrients in the water. it all starts with primary productivity for your small bream/minnow/shad species which will be your prey base for the crappie and bass. You really need to think about fertilizing to boost primary productivity, however you need to check your water chemistry first to see if you need to lime before fertilizing. I would definitely hold off on stocking anymore bass until springtime. the bass are going to be your major consumers and will pick off all those fingerling crappie you are introducing. also ask what kind of hybrids they are....If they are the "Georgia giants" they can really mess up your balance in a couple years. after several generations breed they revert back to there original parents. after about 3 years of Georgia giants you will be overrun my stunted fish. you really need to get a balance check to properly stock, but fertilizing will help tremendously.

I never heard of fertilizing a lake, what do you use on it

Generally APPROVED phosphate based algae food; it is available in bulk but use it EXACTLY according to instructions. Might want to start a conversation with that biologist...he does this sort of thing for a living...doubt he will steer you wrong.