I was just recently given permission to fish a semi-small farm pond. The bass in it are fairly good size but they are overpopulated. Anyways, there are cattle that can get in the pond just about 3 feet into the bank. With them being able to get in the pond, is it still safe to eat the fish out of it??? 

I personally would not eat them if the cattle can get that close to the lake. Chances are their fecal matter is being washed into the pond when it rains. PROBABLY safe, but I wouldn't chance it. 

I personally would not eat them if the cattle can get that close to the lake. Chances are their fecal matter is being washed into the pond when it rains. PROBABLY safe, but I wouldn't chance it. 

X2…even though it is probably safe, i wouldn't want to risk catching a disease or parasite from the cows

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem eating a thoroughly cooked piece of fish out of that pond if cows getting in it are the only problem. I have been known to live dangerously though. I'd be more worried if the fish were exposed to chemicals used on crops.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem eating a thoroughly cooked piece of fish out of that pond if cows getting in it are the only problem. I have been known to live dangerously though. I'd be more worried if the fish were exposed to chemicals used on crops.

lol...thats the answer i was looking for. I'm going to be taking some fish out because of the overpopulation and i feel bad if i just toss them on the bank to die. 

If you pile them up in the pasture I will guarentee you they will all be gone in 2 days. Fish make great fertilizer if you are putting in any last minute plants or vegetables, just toss one in the bottom of the hole and plant on top of it. 

Add more hot sauce for your poop flavored bass.

Waterbodies are continually bombarded nonstop by feces from fish, frogs, snakes, shorebirds, wading birds, raccoons,

mink, otter, beaver, muskrat, bear, alligators ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

When I see a dairy farm in the backdrop of a farm pond, I regard that as a source of nutrition for both the pond and fish.

Far more dangerous than cattle are the chemicals applied to crops and fecal coliform from human waste.

Our respective state departments do an excellent job of giving us a heads-up regarding contaminated waters and land areas.

I've never known the culprit to be cattle, which is generally some chemical or toxic metal

For example: Mercury in the Florida Everglades <> Copper in Michigan's Keweenaw Waterway

 

Roger

Get a big cooler, fill it with water, stick an aerator in it, fill it with bass, and take them to another pond/lake/river.

And then to the courthouse to pay the fine for illegal stocking of a waterway. 

if the pond is surrounded by pasture and grassland then I say you really have no worries, as grass is the best natural filter there is, fact!

Well looks like I'm sold....I'm going to try to eat some possibly. If I get sick I'll let you all know!

don't set up a buffet or anything, but take a few and try them..... if they taste funky don't do it again.

I know one of my employees at the golf course took some crappie home.... and everyone it alsways railing about water... chemicals in the water.... he said they were the best tasting fish EVER.

Add more hot sauce for your poop flavored bass.

Lol

Well looks like I'm sold....I'm going to try to eat some possibly. If I get sick I'll let you all know!

 

The next time you take your car for a spin, you'll be taking a lot bigger risk than eating bass from a cow pond.

We've devoured bass from farm ponds for many decades,

and if those bass are guilty of anything, it's pegging the needle on the nutrition meter

 

Roger

If you eat at McDonald's then you have nothing to fear from a fresh fish from the waters of a cow pasture.  Most restaurants are filthy compared to that pond you talk about!  Not only that the chemicals that they use to manufacture food like substances we buy at Wal-mart are a lot more destructive than the run off from a seasonal pesticide spraying.  If the fish is alive, and no abnormal growths I would eat it- unless a coal mine was within 75 miles, then check with the local parks and wildlife for warnings.  

I grew up eating catfish out of cow ponds and I survived. I'm sure they ate much worse things than the bass you're thinking about eating do. 

I'd eat em. Not gonna hurt ya. Man was made to hunt and fish for sustenance. Cows and deer and everything else has always used the water. It's natural.

I wouldnt worry a fecal matter but the water getting any pesticides in it from the cattle.....On a side note the poop should be worm free so you don't have to worry about hooks or rounds I still wouldn't walk bare foot though 

I'm pretty sure most waters we fish have had to fight off many worse things than some cow poo (gasoline comes to mind).

I wouldnt worry a fecal matter but the water getting any pesticides in it from the cattle.....On a side note the poop should be worm free so you don't have to worry about hooks or rounds I still wouldn't walk bare foot though 

 

To my knowledge, cattle aren't normally sprayed with pesticides!

To my knowledge, cattle aren't normally sprayed with pesticides!

The cattle tags are a pesticide

The grounds in any agricultural area get their fair share of pesticides wether it be to keep the grubs out of the soli or parasites like fleas just sayin I wouldn't eat it for those reasons just like I won't eat retention pond fish due to the crap that washes in from roads, etc.