New Pond/Crappie Question

Hey guys, I'm new here, thanks for having me. I am in Alabama and just bought a house and property with a 3 acre pond. The pond has been here for about 40 years, best guess. It seems to have been well kept. I was told by the previous owner that it was fully stocked with bream, bass and crappie. I have caught some small bass, there are tons of small bluegill (have seen one big one caught) but I haven't seen the first sign of crappie. I have never specifically fished for crappie but have caught a few in the past. So I would consider myself a newb when it comes to crappie fishing. What are some sure ways to confirm there are crappie? It's hot btw, like 100° today and yesterday. This pond had 0 structure until recently, when I pushed some small fallen trees in. I plan to create and add structure soon. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dannycox1981

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

---

Drain the pond and have it restocked. This VVVV

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dannycox1981

I have caught some small bass, there are tons of small bluegill ...

---

... is not a good sign. It means the pond is way out of balance. Just start over, and do it right.

minnows,bettle spin, tiny rattle trap, etc

From what I've seen, the only way to get crappie and bass to thrive together (and maintain good size), is to stock the crappie and give them time to grow, and then stock the bass, or stock them all together as fingerlings. If you stock fingerling crappie in a pond with an established bass population, they're gonna be bass food.

Chances are the populations are way out of control and all of the fish are stunted.

A lot of guys worry about fishing out a pond, when usually the opposite is true. You have to keep the fishing pressure on them, and keep most that you catch.

Your options are to either start fishing like crazy and eat, relocate, or kill everything you catch, or dump in some Rotenone and start over.

As for catching them, chances are in the summer they will be near the deepest part of the pond, possibly suspended by the dam.

This guy got a awesome pond with huge crappies in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLiBkekaULI&t=184s

dump some slab crappie in it from the local area lakes that can reproduce would be an easy and cheap option . that said the crappie may be in it and thriving . The crappie in my avatar came from a pond a bit smaller than that and we had no idea crappie lived in that pond much less monster crappie until I caught one accidently on bluegill cut bait fishing for channel cat after 3 years of hitting that pond ….never say never

Welcome from Odenville Al.

and yes WOW your first post ….WELOCOME to the forum , super nice place to visit for sure :highfive

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Techno2000

This guy got a awesome pond with huge crappies in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLiBkekaULI&t=184s

---

That was a fun video. I'd like to have him for a part time next door neighbor.

Danny, get a friend or neighbor that fishes often to come by and fish it for you to see what they catch. It sounds like what others
have posted that it is over stocked. The Game & Fish or you're local Agricultural Extension Service offer help and advise on pond
management also. Welcome aboard from Arkansas.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ketchn

The crappie in my avatar came from a pond a bit smaller than that and we had no idea crappie lived in that pond much less monster crappie until I caught one accidently on bluegill cut bait fishing for channel cat after 3 years of hitting that pond ….never say never

---

That's a beast! I hope that's the case in my pond... LOL!

Thanks for all of the feedback/input! I have no plans in fully started over with the pond. I plan to start managing it properly and hopefully in a few years I will have it balanced and start pulling out some monsters (of all species). I am not saying there are not large fish in it now. I have not had the time to really fish it hard and the weather has been all over the place with extreme heat and storms. The previous owner told me that he had seen people catch big fish out of it including what he referred to as "humpback" crappie. I have seen the one good size bluegill caught. I have yet to fish the pond with live bait also. So I still have my hopes up. I am just really hoping there are Crappie! LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dannycox1981

I plan to start managing it properly and hopefully in a few years I will have it balanced and start pulling out some monsters (of all species).

---

I still think you'd be better off starting over but, if you're set on a DIY approach, at least take a look here:

https://www.outdooralabama.com/ponds...agement-videos

Also, there's a CDC member who manages trophy bluegill ponds in Tennessee. He goes by "tnpondmanager" and would be able to help you a lot. Here's his website:

Lake & Pond Management & Fish Stocking Services | Trophy Pond

Thanks for the links! I have started watching videos on pond management with the overall theme being "remove all of the small fish" lol. In reference to a pond management service I have one 10 minutes from my house. I have already purchased some carp and tiger bass from them for the pond.

American Sport Fish