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Can you all suggest some types of structure to make a good habitat for crappie in a 1 acre farm pond? The pond is already stocked with catfish, bass, and some shell crackers. It is 15 ft at the deepest and 2 feet at the shallowest. There is no cover presently in the pond. Also, is there a preferred depth to place them?
Thanks
look at the thread condos 4 sale. These 5 were made in about 2 hrs. of course they can be made at any heigth for any depth. Other items we have used for structure along the banks are the willows that grow around there. i cut and pushed them out into the water. They can take over your banks and are really aggressive. Just make sure you treat the stump with a strong herbicide to kill the tree. If you don't have any access to shoreline trees, around christmas you get the word out to your buddies to collect their trees after they take them down for the season. Get some blocks and sink them dudes. We have also cut cedars down on the back forty and sunk them. Basically anything will work as long as you have access to it. Check out other material people use in other threads in this forum. As far as placement the smaller cedars, willows, and condos were placed along shoreline up to 6 ft of water for spring time, the larger trees and condos were put in the deepest water at about 16 ft for summer/winter. Hope this helps ya ky
Every thing I have read without exception has said that you just cant manage crappie in a pond that small. Keep in mind though I am no expert on the subject.
If you have trees around the pond, cut one down every 25-50 feet or so and just let them fall into the pond.
gooch, you brought up a very important point. KY make sure the bass and catfish are established and have older age classes to keep the crappie in check. We all know what happens to an overpopulated small impoundment with crappie. Once a pond overpopulates with crappie it is hard to manage it back to original condition. the best bet to do is contact your local fisheries biologist with the state or private industry and ask them what would be best for your particular needs. -rascal
Do you feed the pond? If so, the bass won't need to eat the crappie.
Some experts over on www.pondboss.com about crappies in ponds. I've put some in ponds in the past, but not any more. Worked in one pond, didn't work in two. Too tough to manage. If you insist on crappie in a pond, make sure you have plenty of largemouth or hybrid striped bass to keep them in check. Also, clear water and minimal structure helps. Otherwise, they can easily become overpopulated and you'll end up with lots of small thin crappies.