Help the FIsh????

[huntingrdr]

Hello,

My dad just bought a new property and it has a 50 acre lake on it. The property down the road from us stocked there lake a while back and there is a creek that runs from there property to our property.  When it rains, that creek gets full and all the fish swim down the creek into our lake.  Our lake is overstocked with fish.  We have alot of bass and crappie maybe a few cats too havent tried fishing for tehm yet.  Only been crappie and bass fishing out there once and everyone I caought looked unhealthy, you could tell it was overstocked.  I want to do something to help out the fish for food and cover.  I am not sure what to do though.  I am thinking about finding a cheap fish feeder and put it out on the dock and feed them so all the fish will get food.  Anyone  know of one or someone who is getting rid of one please let me know.  What do you guys think this will do to the fish?  Also I want to give the fish some cover for spawning, etc.  It is all open with no tree or anything.  What should I do to make some shade and cover for the fish?  I thought about cutting some of the trees down out there and putting them in the water around the shore lines.  What do you think this will do for the fish? Help or not?  If you have any suggestions on what to do with this lake property please let me know.  We are overloaded with fish and not everyone can eat, and all the fish I have caught out of there are all beat up and small.  Any suggestions?

Thanks Robert :-/

[BD]

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi

[Tenka]

talk to your state fisheries guy, they will have most of the info you need, and tell you the legal things you can do to fix it.

If you think it is just over stocked, start having fish fries on med size fish.  Put the smaller ones back to grow and the larger ones back to breed.

BUT TALK TO THE FISHERIES PEOPLE FIRST!

[Madhouse27]

I'd also try to get onboard with the other property owner. Obviously there is some crossover of fish between the two bodies of water. You guys could develop a joint plan that would benefit both ponds. He is certainly into it if he is stocking fish on his end. What an incredible oportunity to manage your own water for productive fishing. I'm sure there is tons to learn about improving a pond. Wow, what an awesome undertaking. I agree with Tenka about talking to the fisheries people. They may be able to get you going in the right direction without having to pay some kind of consultant. Good luck.

[Guest avid]

a 50 acre pond is so perfect in size.  If the cover is varied and there is some depth in spots you can have one wholeacious fishin hole.  good luck with it.