So Im finally fishing a pond that I've been looking at for the last 20 yrs, I've been about 3 times in the last month. I've landed about 5 bass and of the 5 these 3 are my smallest fish 🤗 but my question is and it might be a dumb one But (is it a bad thing when most the fish your getting out a pond are big and your not really seeing the smaller fish?  )are what 

I sure wish I had your same problem. 😁

It's Heaven. Be happy.

 

I fish a bog up north that's similar. In 2023, the most I ever caught at this bog was three bass. Four times, I only caught one. To put this into local context, I usually catch about 30 or more bass per outing. However, I'm already making plans to fish this bog again because I like the challenge and love the average size of the fish. 

 

Again, be happy...and protect the pond!

I suspect we all have tendency to make assumptions about the health of a body of water based on what we are catching.  The only true measure is to electro-fish the lake.  You really have no idea what's in there until a thorough study is done.  That is one thing that the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources does a fantastic job at.  They electro-fish public lakes and provide access to highly detailed findings and statistical analysis (if anyone wants the link let me know) 

 

A perfect example is a lake about an hour from me that is known to have large musky, but it's very tough to fish.  The most recent electro-survey (several years ago) resulted in TWO fish that annihilated the state record.  And, of course, they swam away after the survey.  How much more confidence does that give you to keep casting?

8 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

The most recent electro-survey (several years ago) resulted in TWO fish that annihilated the state record.

That’s awesome

34 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

I suspect we all have tendency to make assumptions about the health of a body of water based on what we are catching.  The only true measure is to electro-fish the lake.  You really have no idea what's in there until a thorough study is done.  That is one thing that the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources does a fantastic job at.  They electro-fish public lakes and provide access to highly detailed findings and statistical analysis (if anyone wants the link let me know) 

 

A perfect example is a lake about an hour from me that is known to have large musky, but it's very tough to fish.  The most recent electro-survey (several years ago) resulted in TWO fish that annihilated the state record.  And, of course, they swam away after the survey.  How much more confidence does that give you to keep casting?

 

Link, please.

Here is one for the state of Minnesota… breaks down the water and fish surveyed fairly well: 

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html

52 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

I suspect we all have tendency to make assumptions about the health of a body of water based on what we are catching.  The only true measure is to electro-fish the lake.  You really have no idea what's in there until a thorough study is done.  That is one thing that the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources does a fantastic job at.  They electro-fish public lakes and provide access to highly detailed findings and statistical analysis (if anyone wants the link let me know) 

 

A perfect example is a lake about an hour from me that is known to have large musky, but it's very tough to fish.  The most recent electro-survey (several years ago) resulted in TWO fish that annihilated the state record.  And, of course, they swam away after the survey.  How much more confidence does that give you to keep casting?

Electro on hits about the top 10 or so feet of water , probably some sea monsters down deep too! 

This is very bad.  It means the lake does not get enough angling pressure.  Please tell me the location of the lake, and I will help manage it properly.

10 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Electro on hits about the top 10 or so feet of water , probably some sea monsters down deep too! 

Considering we are talking about 5ft long musky, that's a little disconcerting. 

I'd say your good. I wouldn't complain.

Probably just not enough people fishing and too much food or something totally natural like that.

On 10/23/2023 at 7:42 AM, BigAngus752 said:

I suspect we all have tendency to make assumptions about the health of a body of water based on what we are catching.  The only true measure is to electro-fish the lake.  You really have no idea what's in there until a thorough study is done.  That is one thing that the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources does a fantastic job at.  They electro-fish public lakes and provide access to highly detailed findings and statistical analysis (if anyone wants the link let me know) 

 

A perfect example is a lake about an hour from me that is known to have large musky, but it's very tough to fish.  The most recent electro-survey (several years ago) resulted in TWO fish that annihilated the state record.  And, of course, they swam away after the survey.  How much more confidence does that give you to keep casting?

I know my pb is going to be reached in this pond, I can feel it. Last night I drag my kayak about 2 miles by hand through woods to be able to fish it without hanging out a tree or barely being able to make a cast. My confidence is definitely up there, thanks for the boost..

The opposite is a problem too many small bass.

Tom

4 hours ago, jesse greene said:

I know my pb is going to be reached in this pond

Agree! 

On 10/23/2023 at 9:08 AM, king fisher said:

This is very bad.  It means the lake does not get enough angling pressure.  Please tell me the location of the lake, and I will help manage it properly.

I'll swap with you, Lake location for lake location. Heck I'll put you up for the week-end on my end if you'll do the same on yours. 

On 10/23/2023 at 7:42 AM, BigAngus752 said:

I suspect we all have tendency to make assumptions about the health of a body of water based on what we are catching.  The only true measure is to electro-fish the lake.  You really have no idea what's in there until a thorough study is done.  That is one thing that the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources does a fantastic job at.  They electro-fish public lakes and provide access to highly detailed findings and statistical analysis (if anyone wants the link let me know) 

 

A perfect example is a lake about an hour from me that is known to have large musky, but it's very tough to fish.  The most recent electro-survey (several years ago) resulted in TWO fish that annihilated the state record.  And, of course, they swam away after the survey.  How much more confidence does that give you to keep casting?

Evergreen?

6 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

Evergreen?

You got it. 

2 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

You got it. 

That lake can eat a bag of sticks lol

2 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

That lake can eat a bag of sticks lol

LOL.  I know what you're saying.  It's very difficult to fish which is probably why they found two different state record muskies during two different electro-fishing surveys.  Look at the tournament results!  Top bass was a 6.18 for the season.  #2 was a 3lb and 4 and 5 were 1lb!  Monsters in there but who can catch them?

6 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

LOL.  I know what you're saying.  It's very difficult to fish which is probably why they found two different state record muskies during two different electro-fishing surveys.  Look at the tournament results!  Top bass was a 6.18 for the season.  #2 was a 3lb and 4 and 5 were 1lb!  Monsters in there but who can catch them?

Wow that sounds even worse than I remember. I haven't fished it in 5 years. Last time I was backseating in a tournament. I didn't do worth a crap and neither did anyone else except for my boater who managed 2 over 3 lbs and 2 over 4 lbs on some Yamamoto bait that was discontinued at the time (and probably still is). Can't remember what it was.

wow...now that is the proper way to drop a "humble-brag"!!  nice fish.

On 10/26/2023 at 3:59 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

wow...now that is the proper way to drop a "humble-brag"!!  nice fish.

Was it that obvious lol

 

On 10/24/2023 at 9:15 AM, Pat Brown said:

Probably just not enough people fishing and too much food or something totally natural like that.

I don't think anyone ever fished it. I was there with a friend of mine and was telling him they hit anything so I put a leaf 🌿 on my hook and threw it out and actually got a fish lol that's the first I've ever heard of that happening