Had a friend come down from Illinois last month. One morning he caught two six pounders and one nine pounder and a few smaller ones within a couple hours. Do the math and that's over 20# real quickly. Every day isn't that good. Sorry, no pics this time. Trust me. Anyone want to go fishing? Achieved 9# in six years. I think they live to about twelve. I'm expecting 15# in another three years. You guys up north can't do this. Trees grow faster too. Pond management guys say I need to harvest 200# of smaller bass, under 15", about 2-3 pounds each. It's taken seven years so far. But worth it all the way Got my JD140 garden tractor running again after a year off. It has a rototiller on it. Did the veg garden, may even do a flower area by the cabin. That would be new.
I realize that this is an ancient thread, but I guess that all threads are new until you have read them. I confess to not having read all of the comments, but going back to the original post, I am amazed at your ability to build a dam and "grow" your own lake. If you tried to do that here (in Massachusetts), I'll bet the legal battle would last 15 years (I'm not kidding), and I would give you about a 25% chance of getting all of the permits, environmental statements, inspections, committee approvals, state approvals, acts of the legislature, and so forth. As a practical matter, it couldn't happen here. If you wanted to build a large housing development - particularly if it included some low-income housing units - no problem. ou:
Containment ponds are encouraged here, sometimes subsidized for farming purposes but I didn't get a penny of help. This was at one time a cattle ranch so there are four other small ponds dug out from that era. I've thrown some fish and crawfish in them too but never fished them. You could cast across to the other side.
We just did the first attempt at a sort of fishing guide for the lake. I plan improvements this spring to spawning areas and cover for the fry. Hopefully some of you find it interesting. A 12 year project so far.
I just finished reading this entire thread, amazing job that you have done, Mike! This is something that you & your friends will enjoy for many years to come!
