Page 38 - 2018 MAY/JUNE Outdoor Oklahoma

Balanced Fish Populations they are fed. If you plan to do minimal management of
Bass range in size from eight to 15 inches or more; the pond, it is best to follow these recommended rates.
about one-third to two-thirds are 12 or more inches long; Fish are available from the ODWC or from private com-
their body condition is good, i.e. they are not skinny. mercial producers. ODWC will provide fish for your pond
Bluegill and other sunfish are four to eight inches long if certain criteria are met.
or longer; about one-half to three-fourths are at least six After your pond is stocked, it is important to be familiar
inches long; their body condition is good also. with recommended angler harvest. For three years fol-
Channel catfish, if present, range in size from six to 18 lowing the initial stocking, you should adhere strictly to
inches with one-third to two-thirds being 14 inches long a “no bass harvest” regulation. This period will give your
or longer; they are fairly robust. stocked bass the opportunity to spawn and produce sev-
Crappie, if present, are five to 10 inches long or longer; eral year-classes of bass, an important factor in maintain-
one-fourth to one-half of them are at least nine inches ing pond balance.
long; all are in good body condition. If body condition of 12- to 18-inch bass begins to de-
A reasonable catch rate would be two fish or more per cline (sunken stomachs, large heads and small bodies),
hour for the species being sought. However, this will vary the pond manager should begin to harvest some of the
considerably depending on the time of day, time of year, bass over 18 inches at the rate of about 10 per acre an-
species of fish, ability of angler and a host of other factors. nually. If body condition of bass remains unsatisfactory,
harvest up to 20 bass per acre each year and continue
New or Reclaimed Ponds to monitor body condition of remaining bass. Harvest of
Once your pond is in acceptable physical condition, fish bluegill generally does not need to be restricted to main-
stocking is the next order of business. The ODWC recom- tain a balanced fish population.
mends stocking 500 bluegill fingerlings and 100 channel
catfish fingerlings per acre in the fall. The following spring, Aquatic Vegetation Control
stock 100 largemouth bass fingerlings per acre. Stocking When using chemical methods, it is critical to identify
at higher initial rates will not produce more fish unless aquatic vegetation accurately. Aquatic vegetation is a

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Trying to create a rewarding fishing hole from a pond used for livestock is usually not a great idea.

36 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA