Low Alkalinity: The lake had an alkalinity of 17 mg/L of Calcium Carbonate, indicating that the lake will have low buffering capacity, experience significant pH swings throughout the day, and will struggle to maintain an adequate plankton bloom to support bluegill and other forage recruitment.
Low Productivity: This poor support of a plankton bloom could be seen in the water's high clarity; with a visibility reading of 120 inches, it was clear that the amount of phytoplankton production in the lake was low. This would mean that newly hatched bluegill would struggle to find sufficient forage and would see lower growth rates and higher mortality than desired.
Additionally, there were concerns regarding the population dynamics seen in the lakes surveyed. The predator to prey ratio was found to be out-of-balance as 58 largemouth bass were surveyed, while no bluegill were surveyed during this initial study.
This out-of-balance condition was present in all lakes surveyed, and therefore management recommendations for all 4 lakes were similar. However, along with the client, we decided that management efforts would be best focused on lakes 1 and 2 in order to most effectively utilize available budget and achieve the best fishing possible in 2 lakes rather than spend significant resources managing all 4 lakes.
It was recommended that we lime the lakes prior to starting an AES Productivity Program to ensure effectiveness. This would increase the alkalinity of the lakes and facilitate healthy plankton blooms, thus improving forage growth.
Through the implementation of a productivity program, we could encourage plankton growth, decrease water clarity and improve food sources for young bluegill.
We recommended the stocking of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella) as an effective method for the control of Southern Naiad and Nitella growth. These plants can have impacts on habitat availability, fishing experience, and in severe cases can have detrimental effects on the oxygen levels in the lake.
We recommended the installation of various artificial habitat types throughout the lake to improve spawning conditions, and refuge options for forage fish. These habitat types also can be used as staging and ambush areas for largemouth bass, making them effective fish attractants.
Additionally, we recommended supplementing the installation of artificial habitat with the installation of natural habitat to further improve survivability of forage such as bluegill and redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus). These two types of habitat together can provide great benefits for forage fish of all sizes.
A supplemental feeding program is one of the most effective ways to increase the growth rate of forage species, especially bluegill. With the installation of 4 feeders as well as additional forage stocking covered below, we could see significant improvement in the forage base of this fishery.
AES recommended an aggressive harvest routine for all ponds on this property. Through aggressive harvest of any bass below 14", we would expect to see the forage base begin to recover in light of the reduced predation, and improved growth in the largemouth bass population from the reduced competition.
It was recommended that we stock additional forage fish in the form of bluegill, golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas), goldfish (Carassius auratus), and crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) to reduce pressure on the existing bluegill.
Additionally, the possibility for a feed-trained fishery was discussed, but the client decided not to stock feed-trained bass at the time.
Focusing mainly on the primary two lakes, we applied agricultural lime to improve the lake's buffering capacity, installed artificial habitat to improve forage survivability, installed Texas Hunter fish feeders, and stocked additional forage.
Following the survey, additional management suggestions were made to further improve the fishery. We also proposed once more that feed-trained bass be stocked to "jump-start" the fishery and more rapidly grow quality bass while the native bass population was rebalanced through continued harvest.
Key water quality parameters measured in year 1 saw significant improvement since the last survey, with alkalinity measuring at 50mg/L, a sufficient level to buffer pH changes and encourage plankton growth. Additionally, the water clarity had decreased to 42 inches. Although this is significantly lower than that seen during the first survey, it is still higher than desired.
Additionally, the bluegill sampled showed that fish were not growing much larger than the 3-4 inch size class. This was most likely due to high predation of these larger forage fish by the overabundant bass population. However, this does indicate that there is strong early recruitment among the bluegill population.
During the survey, bass were sampled at a rate of 83 fish per hour. Although this is higher than the catch rate seen during the initial survey, the average relative weight among these fish was 83%, a significant improvement over the relative weight of 77% seen in 2020. This increase in average relative weight indicates that the supplemental forage stocking and harvest is having a positive impact on the fishery.
Following this survey, it was recommended that the client stock feed trained bass and additional forage as he had in the previous year. We also provided recommendations for expanding available habitat and continuing harvest of underweight native bass.
We heavily suggested that the client consider stocking feed-trained bass to best accomplish his goals in this fishery. These bass would be stocked at around a pound in size and could grow up to 2 pounds in their first year, providing aggressive, quality fish to catch in a short time.
We recommended that the client stock additional forage rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), bluegill, crawfish, and goldfish to continue the supplemental forage presence for native bass and further reduce pressure on existing bluegill populations.
We recommended the installation of additional natural habitat to provide cover for young of year forage, as well as the installation of two additional fish feeders.
In 2023, a follow-up electrofishing survey was conducted on Lake 1 to evaluate the progress of the feed-trained bass fishery following the stocking of feed-trained bass and implementation of earlier management recommendations. This survey represented a key milestone as it allowed for an assessment of the performance of both native and feed-trained bass populations under the new management strategy. The goal was to monitor growth rates, forage base development, and overall balance within the system as the lake transitioned further into a controlled, high-performance fishery.
Since the introduction of feed-trained bass in 2022, the lake showed substantial biological improvements. The most notable change was the accelerated growth of feed-trained bass, with several fish gaining nearly two pounds within their first year.
Bluegill catch rates dramatically increased compared to previous years, reflecting improving recruitment and survival due to habitat improvements and reduced predation pressure via supplemental forage stocking. The average relative weights of both feed-trained and native bass saw significant increases, indicating overall improved health and forage availability.
Water quality parameters continued to trend positively in 2023. Alkalinity measured 67 mg/L, providing strong buffering capacity to stabilize pH fluctuations. This increase over the year prior indicates the success of the liming completed at this lake and shows that the alkalinity is continuing to maintain adequate levels. Water clarity was recorded at 52 inches, slightly higher than ideal but consistent with prior improvements and reflecting ongoing dye applications that somewhat limit plankton growth but aid in vegetation control. This high visibility was a continued concern from earlier studies, and further supports the recommendation to manage this lake as primarily a feed trained bass fishery, thus limiting the importance of a robust forage base. Overall, water chemistry was stable and remained favorable for continued fishery development.
The majority of the bluegill captured were in the 3-4 inch range, which strongly suggests that the improved habitat is playing a large role in the survival of bluegill past spawning season, creating a much more advantageous forage makeup for native bass. Additionally, submersed vegetation was abundant this year, likely playing a significant role in the improved bluegill recruitment. This rebound in bluegill abundance directly supported the improved condition of both native and feed-trained bass and demonstrated that supplemental feeding, habitat expansion, and controlled predation were beginning to balance the lake's forage dynamics.
The majority of feed-trained bass occupied the 14 to 18-inch size classes, while most native bass remained under 14 inches, showing that the feeding program was successfully producing larger, high-quality bass while ongoing harvest continued to suppress the smaller, overabundant native population.
The recommendations for further improving this fishery relied mainly on continuing management strategies from the prior years while also enhancing the growth of forage fish, introducing additional supplemental forage, and installation of new aeration systems to prevent lake turnover and increase oxygen saturation throughout the water column. Many of these recommendations would be followed before we returned for a survey in 2024, bringing the fishery closer to the clients goals.
Continued removal of native bass under 16 inches, particularly individuals exhibiting relative weights below 90%, was advised to further relieve competition for forage resources. Although the population of native bass is significantly healthier than it was in earlier years, this continued harvest will help to remove the underperforming individuals and further reduce competition for resources.
In addition to routine feeding with the existing automated feeders, it was recommended that Purina Aquamax LMB pellets be introduced by hand to further increase the feeding opportunities for feed-trained bass.
Finally, the installation of a bottom-diffused aeration system was advised to prevent stratification, improve oxygen distribution throughout the entire water column, and promote the breakdown of organic material on the lake bottom, which would create more usable habitat for fish and improve long-term lake health.
Expansion of shallow, dense cover using natural or artificial habitat materials was also encouraged to maximize juvenile bluegill survival and strengthen the forage base further.In 2024, the fifth year of intensive management, a spring electrofishing survey was conducted on Lake 1 to evaluate the improvement of the pond after the previous year's maintenance plan. This year's survey provided critical insight into how the feed-trained population is maturing, how the forage base is sustaining under predation pressure, and where continued refinements would be needed to achieve continued success in the long term.
The bluegill population, while present, showed signs of significant predation pressure, which continued to limit natural forage availability. Despite these limitations, the combination of pelleted feed, supplemental forage stocking, and habitat enhancements continued to drive excellent growth rates for the feed-trained bass population.
Water quality remained stable and supportive of the management goals. The lake's alkalinity measured at 46 mg/L CaCO₃, maintaining sufficient buffering capacity for pH stability and providing a base for continued plankton productivity. Water clarity was recorded at 46 inches, slightly above the targeted range for optimal plankton production but manageable. The overall water chemistry remained favorable for a high-performance feed-trained fishery.
While a thriving bluegill population is not absolutely essential in a feed-trained fishery, increasing the availability of supplemental forage species remains important to help buffer predation pressure and enhance overall fish health.
The native bass population remained dominated by smaller individuals in the 10 to 14-inch range, with lower average relative weights, highlighting the need for continued selective harvest to reduce competition and prioritize growth among feed-trained individuals.
Overall, the management has been successful in developing a healthy feed-trained fishery to provide the client with high catch rates and aggressive fish that sustain significant growth, while navigating a lake that was difficult to manage for successful forage recruitment.
The feed-trained bass population continued to grow rapidly, with many fish exhibiting relative weights over 105%. Although the native bass population displayed minor if any growth, this is no longer the main focus of management. Future management efforts will be made with the intention of growing the feed-trained fish rather than bolstering the size of the native fish.
Water quality remained stable and supportive of the management goals. This fishery demonstrates one of the key benefits of a feed trained fishery, especially in the case of a lake that boasts significant in and out flow: a healthy phytoplankton bloom is far less important than managing a native bass fishery that requires a large forage base.
Based on the 2025 results, the primary management recommendation included aggressive stocking of forage fish, from bluegill to goldfish and rainbow trout. This supplemental forage stocking is recommended to help the forage population recover as we continue to remove native bass during electrofishing harvest events.
