A pond with the right amount of structure provides more fishing enjoyment than a structure-less fishing pond. Structures placed in the right locations are fish magnets that dramatically increase fishing success. Habitat improvements can also result in larger fish when done properly. A bass has to eat 10 lbs of fish in order to gain one pound. Small 1-inch bluegill generally weigh 5 lbs per 1,000 fish thus the bass would have to eat 2,000 bluegill to gain one pound. Adding dense cover will allow the young bluegill to survive and grow for an additional month or more. In just one month, bluegill can quickly grow to 20 lbs per 1,000 fish so now a bass only has to eat 500 bluegill to gain a pound. This means much less energy is expanded allowing energy for growth. This is a simplified example but indicates how protecting the small bluegill is essential for good bass growth.
