Subject: Kentucky 23 acre lake problem

From: [email-masked] (Stephen F. Galli)
Date: Sat, 6 Apr 1996 23:29:58 GMT

Does anyone have ideas about how to balance a small lake in Kentucky?  The 
lake is narrow and deep [over 18 to 27 feet deep]; surface area less desired 
for driving oxygen down below about 13 feet; low fertility; very clear; 
occupants take the bass over 10-12 inches out too fast; even the large 
bluegill and shellcrackers are now fished out.

This is the solution being thought about:

1.  Fertilize the lake consistently.
2.  Stock bass annually [at 6 inch size, say 1,000 in spring]
3.  Install  air bubblers at the botton of the lake to circulate the water and 
nutrients and oxygenate.
4.  Use fish food.
5.  Establish a "slot" fishing prpgram -- at 12-13 inch bass may be taken out 
but no more than 3 per week per owner's lot [40 lots on the lake]. 
6.  Fish only with barbless hooks.
7.  Allow only bass over 22 inches to be taken; then only one per year per lot.

Comments??

What is a reasonable harvest allowance for a modestly fertile small lake [23 
acres] for bass??  In a very old booklet on farm ponds for Ohio it stated a 
maximum of 25 bass [any size] per year per acre.  Is that reasonable for a 
small lake?

More information is available if needed, just ask.

Thanks in advance.