Did you know that you can eventually produce larger fish in a pond simply by keeping records of your catch? With a little added effort, anglers that regularly fish a pond (or small lake) can accumulate the information needed to make proper management decisions.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
For starters, obtain a free “Fish Diary Form” from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). This form provides space to record the date, time spent, the number of anglers, the species and length of the fish caught, as well as specific notes concerning your pond and various fishing trips. This information can be very helpful in determining the status of your fish population, so take the time to write it down!
Begin your fish diary by measuring and recording all the fish you catch (whether they are kept or released). The total length of a fish is measured from the tip of the snout to the ends of the tail, with the lobes of the tail pressed together.
The “notes” section of the diary form allows you to list specific items that might prove helpful in making future pond management decisions. Examples include: fish stocking dates, the general condition of the fish you catch and the availability of protective cover, as well as the types (and amount) of aquatic vegetation.
Let’s face it; all anglers are curious about the weights of the fish they catch. A simple system has been devised to estimate weights for various species, based on the total length of each fish. The information recorded in your diary makes this conversion easy (even when fish are released).
For largemouth bass, cube the total length and divide by 1,600. For example, on a 22-inch bass, you would multiply 22 x 22 x 22 = 10,648 divided by 1,600 = 6.66 pounds.
For bluegill and other sunfish, cube the fish’s length and divide by 1,200. For an 11-inch bluegill, this would mean 11 x 11 x 11 = 1,331 divided by 1,200 = 1.11 pounds.
For catfish, divide the cubed length by 2000. So, for a 24- inch channel catfish, this would mean 24 x 24 x 24 = 13,824 divided by 2,000 = 6.9 pounds.
Next, “summarize” your diary entries on a single form at the end of the season (or earlier if a specific problem is being addressed). To accurately diagnose a problem, a minimum of 40 fish (for each species) should be caught or five fishing trips taken with a total of 10 hours of fishing effort. The most reliable records include information on several species, using a variety of techniques and baits. And finally, it’s time to “analyze” your records.
A well-kept diary will provide a biologist (as well as a novice) with many of the clues needed to determine “what’s happening” to the fish population. Then, pond management decisions can be tailored to the desired species. Generally, a healthy population has greater numbers of smaller fish and a more even distribution of the larger fish. Fish diary records often show a concentration of fish at one size (like a pond that’s full of 10 -12 inch bass). By “targeting” the harvest of a specific size class, competition within the population should decrease and overall growth should increase. If you don’t feel comfortable analyzing your diary, you’re welcome to contact our fisheries staff at the MDC Chillicothe office (phone 646-6122).
In summary, fish diaries are important “tools” that are frequently used by avid anglers and fisheries managers. They can certainly help to document a particular pattern of harvest and provide feedback on stocking success. For example, a fish diary reveals channel catfish growth rates and shows the numbers of fish that were harvested. Once the majority of the catfish are removed, you’ll know it’s time to restock, as well as how many catfish to buy.
Yes, help for your pond can be found at your fingertips and it only takes a few minutes (after each trip) to maintain accurate records. Your efforts will be rewarded with a well-managed pond. In addition, fish diaries provide a pleasant way to “relive” your fishing trips during those cold winter months.