Fish and Lake Management
An extremely informative section explaining how slot limits work, how stocking affects fishing, how bass use structure, and much more!
Understand P or Get Off the Pond
Whether you want a gin-clear swimming pond or a monster bass honey hole, phosphorus plays an important role in your lake.
Aggressiveness, It Should Have Been Obvious
How can catching bass off beds increase the number of genetically aggressive, catchable fish? Find out inside.
Talking Points Smallmouth Bass
Let's discuss the smallmouth bass! Habitat, growth rate, diet, catchability, and more!
Managing Bass Fisheries with Size Limits
Bass anglers have mastered catch-and-release, but we should move into a new era of selective harvest for better management.
How Many Bass Should Anglers Catch?
How many bass should you protect? How many, what size, should be harvested? The answers are revealed inside!
Selective Harvest and Bag Limits
Improper harvest of largemouth bass ruins future fishing in more lakes, probably in all states, than any other cause.
Selective Harvest, Ray Scott-Style
How do you maintain quality big bass in a lake? Make bold moves like Ray Scott! The results are big, bold bass.
The Cure For Skinny Fish
Why do lakes have different fishing regulations? Here's how selective harvesting works.
Where Do Skinny Fish Come From?
Ever caught a skinny bass followed by a big bass a few casts later? What's going on?
Skinny Fish, Big Reason
That thin bass you just caught might not be diseased - you may have caused it! See what we mean inside.
Harvest the Bounty
Overcome the emotions associated with harvesting a fish. Do yourself, and your lake, a favor.
Thin Bass A Challenge
For many pond owners, their chief challenge is putting weight on skinny bass. Discover how to fatten up your bass inside!
How Plump Is That Fish?
If fish are too thin or too plump for their length, it should mean something to a biologist or pond owner. Find out inside.
Past My Prime...
It's a shame to see a big bass in decline. It took a lot for that bass to get big. Here's how to keep that oldster fat and happy.
Harvest - A Success Story
Is catch and release always a good thing? Simply stated: No. We reveal the surprising facts inside.
What to Do About Overcrowded Bass
So to get big bass you cull fish selectively, based on your goals, right? Nope, that's just part of it. We explain inside.
Are My Bass are Overpopulated?
Overcrowded largemouth bass populations are the number one problem biologists encounter. Here's how to recognize overpopulation.
Weed The Garden
So you need to harvest some fish from your pond. How much, how often, and what size range? We help you out inside.
Harvest Time
If you want your fishery to survive, and thrive long-term, the most important concept to embrace is selective harvest.
Harvest: A Must For Healthy Ponds
Next time friends say their fishing trip netted only small ones, share the gospel about harvest. It will improve their fishing.
Catch & Release or Selective Harvest
Should I keep this fish or put it back? For some people, the answer is obvious. But is it really that black & white?
Tagging Fish
If you decide you want to tag your fish, follow these tips to get the most benefit from your efforts!
Tagging Bass
Start using tags to learn more about your ponds and lakes ... it should be one of the best tools in your arsenal.
Trade-Offs in Lake Management?
This is a classic example of the inter-relationship between largemouth bass and bluegills in small impoundments.
Fish Aging
How can you tell how old a fish is? Growth information is more difficult obtain. However, its value is correspondingly higher as well!
The Fish Garden - Plant, Grow, Harvest
Ever seen a clear lake, lots of small bass, and too much aquatic greenery? Here's how to solve that problem.
Largemouth Bass Angling and Catchability
Does high fishing pressure negatively affect bass? Now we have scientific prooof that dispels the myths!
Another Amazing Spring Thing
As the dock, lawn chair, nice temperatures and cool spring time beverage beckon, now is the time to catch some bass!
Hot Summer. Small Waters
How does summer heat affect the fish in your mini-pond? You might be surprised. The facts are revealed inside.
The Opposite of Texas
Look what you can do with a pond in northern climates. The surprising details are revealed inside.
Back To Jacks
What will you find when you electrofish a pond? You might be surprised at the variety - and size - of fish!
Small Ponds with a Big Purpose
With a solid management scheme and some efficient management, you can create a thriving fishery... even in a tiny pond.
Largemouth Bass In Ponds
Discover how biologists use information gleaned from electrofishing to grow bigger bass!
Stomach Pumping: What are your fish eating?
If you want to build a stomach pump to check your fish and match your hatch, here's how.
In and Around the Pond
What activity or duty in pond management is most often overlooked? A panel of leading fisheries managers gave us their replies.
Crayfish - Asset or Liability?
Crayfish in a lake - asset or liability? The best answer is, it all depends. Discover what we mean in this article.
Dawn Of A New Season
Humans rely on a calendar, but nature doesn't always oblige. Here's some interesting insights that will make you a better angler!
The Lives of Baby Fish
This article delves into the tiny world of newly hatched fish. What's life like for a baby bass?
Big Bass in Small Ponds
Don't think lunkers can exist in tiny ponds? Here's how to grow bass in even the smallest of ponds!
Why Feed Your Fish?
Why put protein pellets in your pond that bass may or may not eat? You'll find the surprising answer inside.
ABC's Of Forage
You will become a better angler if you know how each forage species lives, eats and reproduces.
The Food Chain...In Order
Most discussions about the food chain begin at the bottom. Today, we start at the top. We look at the largemouth bass.
Harmony Under Water
How do bass get big? It's all about balance and harmony. Discover the secret from this well designed and thought out pond!
Your Underwater Food Chain of Events
Fertilizer feeds plankton which feeds little bugs which feed tiny fish which feed your larger fish and so on, right? Not quite.
Stocking Gizzard Shad for Trophy Bass
A good population of gizzard shad and an effective fertilization program can help your bass realize their full genetic potential.
Stocking Shad for Bass
Here's how to enhance and grow your gamefish populations in your pond using a surprising technique.
Shad Not Always the Answer In Small Ponds
Are there downsides to adding shad to a small pond? There can be. We reveal what they are inside.
Threadfin Shad
Why are threadfin shad the forage fish of choice for growing giant largemouth bass in private waters? Find out inside!
Feeding Trout to Bass
Trout may be the perfect food for largemouth bass. Here's why and how you should feed them to bass!
Raising Trophy Bass
There are many myths and misconceptions about raising trophy bass in small ponds. Here are the facts to producing huge largemouth.
Just What IS A Trophy Bass?
For some, growing that trophy bass within their own private waters, is as important a part of the process as actually catching it.
Trophy Bass Require Extra Prey
What do trophy bass prey on? How much do they eat? The surprising facts are revealed inside!
Big Bass Live Where They Are
While there's no guarantee what you do will work, here's three shining examples where good lake management has paid off.
Get Out Of Your Box
Think double-digit bass aren't possible in northern climates? Think again!
Growing Trophy Largemouth
Habitat, Food Chain, Genetics and Selective Harvest. Solid fisheries management. Here's how to put it all together.
Genetics. So What?
What are the key components in the quest to grow giant fish? You might be surprised. Find out inside!
Some Like It Hot
To grow really large, largemouth bass, it takes warm water and great forage that overlap in habitat with those bass, right? Maybe not!
Fish Genetics: Hope or Hype?
Florida-strain bass always produce trophy lakes, right? That depends. Sometimes it's a hindrance.
Stocking The Right Fish
How can you tell a Florida strain bass from a northern? It's that simple. We reveal the details inside.
Which Fish To Stock
How do I stock a small pond? How should I manage it? Here's solid advice for ponds smaller than an acre.
Balancing Act
Fisheries science is as much art as science, maybe more. Here are stocking strategies to create fish populations in harmony.
Bucket Biology: Why Grandpa Was Wrong
Discover how anglers unwittingly destroy their favorite lakes, ponds, and streams every year. You may even be one of them!
Stocking Fish from "Outside" Sources
Is it ok to catch fish and move them to another lake or pond? Do your homework. You'll live with your decisions for a long time.
Fish Biology 102: Growth
Let's step back for an academic lesson in fish growth today. What are the biggest influences on the growth rates for fish?
Ponds, Climate and Largemouth Bass Growth
Here's some fascinating and significant thoughts about the factors affecting fish growth.
Critical Requirements for Stocking Bass
While there is a lot to consider for stocking bass, these two studies emphasize that two critical requirements are...
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Together?
Can you both manage both largemouth and smallmouth bass together in a pond? Discover the answer in this article.
Thinking Small... Smallmouth Bass, That Is
It may be better to have smallmouth bass without largemouth present in your lake. The reasons are revealed inside.
Mortality Rates
A certain percentage of fish die each year regardless of whether any were harvested by anglers. So what is normal?
Forage Species Should Be Stocked First
How many fish should you buy? And what size? We tell you, and save you about $300 in the process!
Starting Your Baitfish Cocktail
Are you doomed to have a bass pond where bass are eating just bass? The best bet for bass forage is...
Know Your Sunfish
As tempting as it may be, resist the urge to catch sunfish and toss them into your favorite pond to "help" the bass grow.
Redear Sunfish
A sunfish that can reach several pounds and won't overpopulate? Wow! Learn more about this fiesty fish inside!
The Secret Life of Bluegill
Fish have complex social behaviors, and we're just now starting to understand them. Here's some amazing facts on bluegill reproduction.
Prime Time for Stocking Fish
For many pond owners, spring brings the excitement of stocking fish. Here's how and when to stock your pond.
Stocking Smallmouth Bass
There's a variety of management scenarios to consider when using smallmouth bass. A great article for pond owner and angler alike!
Stocking Adult Bass
If you choose to stock your pond with adult bass, do so carefully, in small amounts. Here's how.
Largemouth Bass in Cages
Is stocking fingerling bass stressing your wallet? There's a better way. Here's how to raise fish on a budget.
Growing the Best Smallies
Part I in a series of articles that reveal how to grow some dandy smallies. Here's how to raise and manage trophy smallmouth.
Smallmouth Bass From Eggs to Fry
Part three in a series that reveal how to grow huge smallies. Learn how tiny eggs become a group of free swimming baby bass.
Smallmouth...Fingerlings to Juvenile
Part four in a series of articles that reveal how to grow huge smallies. We tell you what it takes produce nice-size juvenile bass.
Growing Smallies Into Trophies
The final article in a series that reveal how to grow huge smallies. We reveal how to grow trophy bass inside.
Smallmouth Bass in Pond Management?
Let's explore the biology, habitats, behaviors and several myths about the glorious smallmouth bass!
Pushing Your Small Waters
Learn what limits your lake to produce fish. Is it the water? Is it habitat? Once you figure out what it is, do something about it.
Converting to Smallmouth in Texas
Yep, you can have a pond full of smallmouth bass in the deep south. Complete details are revealed inside.
Update on LL, 2 Smallmouth Bass Pond
Can smallmouth survive and grow in a Texas pond? Look inside to discover the answer!
Smallmouth Bass and Pumpkinseeds
It appears managing pumpkinseed may be an effective tool to enhance smallmouth size structure, but...
Calling All Catfish
Catfish in general may not be as glamorous as bass, but they can play a positive role in a pond management program.
Fish Competition
Introducing a new species to a lake may have negative effects on growth, reproduction, and abundance of existing bass populations.
There's A Larger Food Chain At Play
Studying the genetic diversity of largemouth bass helps you understand what happens within the populations of the species. Learn more.
Northern Fishes in Ponds
Pumpkinseeds, Perch, Pike, Bluegill, Walleye, Smallmouth, and largemouth bass. What is the right balance in a northern lake?
Pike in Pond Management
If you choose to use pike in your lake management plan, be prepared to take corrective action. It won't be easy.
Pondmeister Profile
From land purchase to fully-stocked pond, here are the successful steps a pondmeister took to create the pond of his dreams.
Tony Stewart's Lake Project
Tony Stewart needed some guidance how to build habitat, structure and cover to create the best bass lake he can have.
Richmond Mill - A Legacy in the Making
Imagine a private lake designed by Ray Scott as the centerpiece for an exclusive world class fishing club.
Richmond Mill Takes the Next Logical Step
See how one company is defining a new cutting edge paradigm in pond and lake management.
Feeding Program at Richmond Mill Lake
There's a lake in North Carolina setting the pace for cutting edge technology for nurturing a budding bass lake.
Behind The Scenes of Fabulous Fishing
Every lake has its own needs, and consistent management is essential to maintaining the best possible fishery. Here's the key to success.
Startup Strategy
The design of a pond can be more important, and just as tricky, as the actual construction phase.
Thoughtfully Building a Pond
Before building your pond, take time to plan. 30 days of homework pays off at the bottom line. Planning helps ensure project success.
The Pond of My Dreams
Discover how one man went from a dream, to having his own private pond stocked with monster bass.
Planning Your Plan
Before you begin building, read your maps, shoot elevations, check your soils. Discover what this means inside.
When Do You Need Help?
When it comes to building a pond, know your goals, then find those people most helpful to get you where you want to go. Here's how!
Talking Dirty: Soils for the core trench
You've explored maps, elevations and dug into the best soils for collecting water on the surface. Now let's talk dirt.
Building A Real Lake
Before building that pond, make sure you understand the impact to things other than just what has fins and gills. We explain inside.
Pond Construction
You've made your plan and mapped out the area. Now, it's time to get the shovel and turn some dirt. The real fun begins.
Creating Fish Cover
The final details are critical - reading and fine tuning existing soils, and building the proper fish habitat.
Little Duck Lake
Building a pond or lake is a delicate balance of engineering, biology, business and art. Here's how to achieve that balance.
A Major League Effort to Shortstop Siltation
Pay attention to siltation. Pay attention to the entire watershed. The watershed influences your lake, your pond and its life.
Renovating A Pond
If you intend to clean out a pond, and remove silt, follow these steps for a successful renovation.
Down To Earth
Hot summer months can be the best time to fix maintenance issues that seem to plague too many landowners.
From The Bottom Up
If you're a pond owner and hope to raise giant bass, you need to create an environment in which bass will thrive. Here's how!
So You Want to Build a Pond?
Almost anything can be made to work, so long as you plan for it, budget for it and see it to completion. We show you how inside.
The Story of Bremer Pond - Part 1
Here we relay the actual process of developing a sand/gravel pit into a northern pond. We're pretty darn happy with the results too!
The Story of Bremer Pond - Part 2
Thoughts of winter dissolved oxygen (D.O.) levels and winterkill are never far from our minds. Can it be prevented?
No Time To Rest
Roust yourself from the hearth. Your best summer of fishing could begin to take shape right now.
Mapping Small Waters
Want a contour map of your lake or pond? We are going to lay a grid over the top of your pond, kind of like a checker board.
Winter Rest
If you find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed by the season, bundle up and visit your pond for a few minutes. Here's why.
Does Your Lake Take a Holiday?
As we move into the throes of winter, make sure your lake is healthy. Here's how.
Planning Your Spring Strategy
If you'll do these things, the spring won't sneak up on you quite as fast. Plus, your pond will give thanks to you.
Preparing Your Pond for Another Season
There is no better time than winter to start planning for your pond. Besides, it helps beat cabin fever.
Winter...the Big Slow Down...or is it?
Largemouth bass under ice tend to focus more on small food items. I have iced some very impressive largemouth on ...
Does Your Mini-Pond Rest During Winter?
Fish don't hibernate, but they don't move around a lot, either. They'll feed, but most fish in cold water need...
Winter Pond Maintenance
Just because it's winter time, don't think there aren't a few things you can do for your pond. We reveal them inside.
Winter Super-Cooling?
Prevent fish kills with this interesting tidbit in the continuing saga of winter super-cooling in northern ponds.
Troubleshooting Pond Problems in Winter
What causes a winter fish kill? Find out inside, and learn how to prevent winter fishkills in your pond.
What's Going On Under The Ice?
Discover what happens to fish during ice over, and learn what size lures you should use for some great winter fishing!
By All Means...Safety First
There is no better time to pay attention to pond safety than in winter. You only have a few minutes to escape hypothermia.
Curing The Structureless Syndrome
Take local materials and put them to use in your pond to create the perfect fishing hole. We tell you how inside.
Habitat & Simple Structure, After the Fact
Too many folks think they can simply add some Christmas trees in the lake bottom and all things become good. Think again.
Spruce Up Your Pond
Consider using discarded Christmas trees as a source of fish habitat. Here's how to do it right!
Building A Better Brush Pile
If you really want to get serious about setting out brush piles, here are some valuable tips that will help make your project a success.
Brush Piles: Habitat and Havens
Bass are predators. Construct a brush pile. They'll occupy it to ambush food or your lures! Learn how inside.
A Tool For Habitat
Here's an effective tool for pond owners that can manage nutrients and improve fish survival and growth-rates.
Is Clear Water Good?
Gin clear water seems devoid life. So why can you catch bass in super-clear water? We reveal the answer inside.
Why Is My Pond This Color?
What color is your lake or pond water, and is it bad for the fish? It depends. The revealing answer is inside.
Mud In My Pond's Eye
Wind and wave action or excess rain can roil your pond, creating muddy or cloudy water. Here's how to clean it up.
Clearing Muddy Water
Off-color water is a common problem among pond owners. Here's how to fight it, and not harm the fish in the process.
Straight Shooters
How do you choose the fisheries consultant and fish supplier you can trust? Here's how to avoid costly mistakes.
Water Chemistry
How do pH levels affect fishing? How much oxygen do our fish need? Learn that and more inside!
It Doesn't Take a Ph.D. to Understand PH
pH. We've all heard of it, but what do we actually need to know? We explain the critical factors inside.
The Aging of a Lake or Pond
What's All This Troph' Stuff About, Anyway? The more you understand how this stuff works, the better angler you will be.
Clean Water Conundrum
Appropriate nutrient levels in natural systems are an essential part of the formula. So just what is "appropriate"?
Analyzing Water
Fish can live in different types of normal conditions. But, when normal changes rapidly, watch out.
The Importance of Watersheds to Bass Fisheries
Bass populations react to changes in the watershed. Discover how a healthy watershed can contribute to a healthy fishery.
Water Quality, Part 1
Let's look at three important components of water quality: pH, temperature and oxygen, and how they affect fish.
Water Quality, Part 2
Knowing what water chemistry you have helps you understand what you and your fish need. Here's what you need to know about pH.
The Water Crisis of the 21st Century
Water shortages are likely to become the major environmental and natural resource crisis of the 21st century. Learn more inside.
Floods And Droughts
When a flood happens or a long term drought comes along, your pond or lake is affected. Fish die...or grow. Learn more inside.
Wetlands and Things Of That Nature...
Once you understand how a wetland ecosystem works, you can start thinking about how to make it better.
What's My Fish Caught: Explaining Parasites
What's that blemish or worm on the bass you just caught? Is it sick or diseased? We explain inside.
What's Wrong with My Fish?
Diagnose quickly, based on the symptoms. Either you have environmental issues involving your water quality or the food chain of your fishery.
Fish Only Die Once
When you see dead fish, it's too late. Here's a brief water quality primer that explains the nature of fish kills.
Fish Kills
What causes a fish kill in a lake or pond? Is it preventable? Discover what you can do to prevent fish kills.
Read The Water
What does the hottest part of summer do for, or to, a lake? A fish kill is possible if you don't read this!
Water Quality Problems
Balance is critical to the aquatic ecosystem. Without a balanced environment your pond or lake will suffer.
Preventing Fish Kills
When water absorbs more than it should, bad things happen. We reveal how to prevent it inside.
The Increase of Endangered Fish Species
Is the money spent on research and recovery of endangered fish justified or should we just let them go extinct?
Oxygen Saturation
How do oxygen depletions occur in your lake? At what point to fish start to die? Discover the answers inside.
Winter Oxygen And Your Fish
What causes winter fish kills, and which fish species are most vulnerable? The answers are revealed inside.
An insurance policy for your lake
Destratification can save your fish population. Discover how you can prevent sudden and devastating fish kills inside.
Move Water To Clean It
Let's examine a pond micro-ecosystem and see how it relates to your lake, and discover how you can help Mother Nature.
Aerating Old Ponds
If you must aerate an old pond, exercise caution. Quite by mistake, you might start a devastating fish kill.
Rotenone: Starting Over
Why do lake managers poison a lake using rotenone? How do sport fish and wildlife benefit from such a drastic measure?
Should We Start Over?
Think deeply about your decision to eradicate your lake. Here's some hints how to make that decision less gut wrenching.
New Studies Highlight Native Plants
Non-native aquatic plants tend to dominate a reservoir, to the detriment of the entire ecosystem.
Dealing with Runaway Vegetation
Even well managed ponds can be victimized by several species of invasive plants. Here's how to control them.
The ABC's of Aquatic Plants
If you plan to deal with runaway aquatic plants in your lake or pond, you have to know what you are dealing with.
Aquatic Plants— Love/Hate Relationships
This little primer on aquatic plants can help you manage your pristine puddle or that fabulous bass fishing lake.
Biological Plant Controls
Got runaway vegetation? Better act now. By July or August, it's tough to safely deal with obsessive greenery.
Cormorants
Recently, the Feds released an impact statement that will guide development of a nationwide management strategy.
Algae
You can manage it...so long as you learn about it. Discover tips and tricks the pros use to control algae inside.
Algae Control
Spring is here, summer is looming and for those of us that manage lakes and ponds it's time for the annual battle with algae.
Scum, Slime, Moss, Putrid Globs of Useless Life
Take care that you do not inadvertently add fuel for your next algae problem. We explain inside.
Golden Algae Killing Bass
Pond owners and anglers must guard against yet another potential fish-killer - golden algae. Learn more inside.
Algae - Such A Simple Plant
What is algae and how can you control it? Here are the answers!
What Is A Bloom?
Summer blooms can quickly kill fish if not kept in check. Learn how to identify the warning signs inside.
Algae Alert
When it comes to taming the toughest challenges, filamentous and blue-green algae, there's a new treatment method available.
Fertilization of Ponds
Fertilization is a bigger concept than simply running down to the local co-op, buying your favorite fertilizer and tossing it into your pond.
Bacteria May Treat Algae
Do you have bubbly, green, smelly scum floating on the surface of your pond? Discover what it is and how to fix it inside!
Copper Compounds and Algae
We explain how to properly use copper compounds to combat this nuisance in this article.
Aquatic Furbearers...Nusiance or Necessary?
Beaver, nutria and muskrat - all three may compete with fish and visiting waterfowl for aquatic food and cover.
Bass Brigades
Here is a five-day youth camp which puts leadership skills and wildlife conservation into perspective.
Spiny Water Fleas
There's an interesting character making his way into northern lakes, and may damage a delicate environmental balance.
