We own a 1/4 acre small farm pond in PA with some bass, yellow perch, bluegill, shellcrackers, channel catfish, bullheads, and koi in it.

 

I know fathead minnows like to stick their eggs up under vegetation of sunken wood pallets. I know some species of fish prefer to bed on sand or gravel. Do you know what substrate yellow perch, LM bass, bluegill, and golden shiners need?

 

The species you mentioned all prefer a firm bottom of sand with or without gravel.

The worst substrate is muck and silt, where eggs may suffocate from lack of ventilation.

 

Roger

1 hour ago, RoLo said:

 

The species you mentioned all prefer a firm bottom of sand with or without gravel.

The worst substrate is muck and silt, where eggs may suffocate from lack of ventilation.

 

Roger

I def need to add sand and/or gravel to the pond for next year. I think the most effective way to do it is wait until it ices over and pour a layer of sand/gravel about a couple inches thick over a few areas on the ice and let the melt drop it straight down. Def adding some wooden pallets (un-treated wood) in now for fathead minnow spawning and shelter

 

2 hours ago, Eric Matechak said:

I def need to add sand and/or gravel to the pond for next year. I think the most effective way to do it is wait until it ices over and pour a layer of sand/gravel about a couple inches thick over a few areas on the ice and let the melt drop it straight down.

 

That's an excellent plan  ?

 

I envy you, a 1/4 acre farm pond is a highly fascinating possession, and a great learning experience.

I had a small backyard pond excavated in Georgia. Although you could throw a stone across that puddle,

I witnessed stuff that I've never read about. For instance, hungry bass will eagerly swallow a toad,

but about 10 seconds later, the toad usually reappears on the surface (same for most snakes).

Best of luck

 

Roger