Bass Pond Start Up

[BucketMouth15]

I have been thinking of starting a bass pond recently. Here's some details about the pond. Its a Michigan pond with cattails around it with plenty of frogs and other wildlife in it. Maximum depth is probably 8-10 feet deep. Most of the pond is porbabley 5-6 feet. The size is about .1 acre. Summer water temps are good (70s). The pond has groundwater seeping in I take it. In the winter I plan on having a pump to keep some water open to allow gases to escape, oxygen transfer etc.

Stocking ideas: 2lbs fathead minnows

30-40 3-4 inch bluegills

5 14" LM

Does this project sound possible? Anybody have experience with this type of thing? Any comments welcome

[Bluebasser86]

I believe it's suggested that you get your forage fish established before you ever add any bass to the pond so they don't eat themselves out of house and home right away. 

[Lund Explorer]

I have been thinking of starting a bass pond recently. Here's some details about the pond. Its a Michigan pond with cattails around it with plenty of frogs and other wildlife in it. Maximum depth is probably 8-10 feet deep. Most of the pond is porbabley 5-6 feet. The size is about .1 acre. Summer water temps are good (70s). The pond has groundwater seeping in I take it. In the winter I plan on having a pump to keep some water open to allow gases to escape, oxygen transfer etc.

Stocking ideas: 2lbs fathead minnows

30-40 3-4 inch bluegills

5 14" LM

Does this project sound possible? Anybody have experience with this type of thing? Any comments welcome

 

Some of what you have written could lead someone to think that this pond already exists.  Does it?

 

Regardless, several things stick out right away.  If cattails are around it, how do you plan on reaching it?  Most areas that have cattails are somewhat swampy in character and not conducive to the stealthy approach you'll need to fish such a small pond. 

 

Also, a pond of that depth isn't going to be fed by ground water seepage unless your water table is quite a bit higher than normal.  Most likely, if the pond isn't spring fed it will have to rely on either runoff or be supplemented by some sort of well water.  A friend of mine put in a shallow well and used a windmill to keep his smallish sized pond full during the summer.  How much water put into this pond will also be determined on the soil type on it's bottom.  Is the area this pond is going to be located contain a high amount of clay?

 

The pond's depth, or perhaps I should say lack of it, is going to be an issue.  You must recognize this if your plans include some type of pump to keep it from freezing.  That could become a little cost prohibitive as almost all pumps require electricity to operate and Consumer's Energy doesn't give that stuff away!  A better alternative might be to consider going deeper. 

 

Finally, you mentioned frogs and other wildlife.  Every pond owner I know most definitely has other wildlife. The one you will have and you don't want is the muskrat.  Find a local fur trapper willing to keep your pond with a manageable number of these bank destroying critters!

[Swamp Gas]

I believe it's suggested that you get your forage fish established before you ever add any bass to the pond so they don't eat themselves out of house and home right away. 

This^^^^^^.  Minnows first, then bream, then largemouth.  I'd wait at least two years before introducing any predators, assuming the bream population is sustaining itself.

 

The numbers and ratio are critical.  If you overstress the forage base, everything dies.

[pghgeorge]

Take a look for answers on Pond Boss website.

It's a great source for Pond Owners and the Curious.

 

http://forums.pondboss.com/