Success at Neighborhood Bass Pond after Fish Kill

[Bruce Litton]

Matt fished a buzzbait, hooking a 14-incher, so I guess that got me interested. I went three days later and caught a 17-inch largemouth & two small on my favorite Chompers, 25 minutes. I hadn't fished the pond all year, just walked our black Lab by it every day. Back when the ice came off, we saw dozens of 14-17-inchers dead, and Matt found one over five pounds. Once water warmed, I saw a few small ones, but just never felt moved to try and find out if many big survived. It used to be pretty easy to catch 10 from 14 to about 16 1/2-inches within a half hour, so last winter seems to have taken a toll. But in a few years or so, given no more fish kills, the pond should come all the way back.

[Eskimo]

.

I hope we have a better winter than last year. We're owed a few mild winters.


.

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by Eskimo

.

I hope we have a better winter than last year. We're owed a few mild winters.

Mild is OK as log as there is fishable ice for a few months. We don't need 16 inches in mid March like we had the last two years, but as long as late Dec through early March are good I'm happy.

[buzzbaiter]

Most of my "honey holes" are only a few acres and barely 2-3 feet deep. They got hit hard last few winters. Many dead bass & sunfish. I counted 5 dead bass over 15" at one pond. Depressing. I went to same pond for the first time in 3 months just last sunday and caught dozens of bass which was good. A couple 17-18" so glad they survived.

Pics from this past April after ice out...

[Bruce Litton]

Looks like the dead bass at my pond, but many more, 4 ft max & little that deep. It will return. Doesn't seem likely we'll keep getting winters like last.