How many bass can a soft shell turtle eat?

Looking at re claiming a wetland that needs the pond re done. We have all sorts of rules that do not prohibit a dragline used to clean out footprint. But it is loaded with turtle and the fish are suffering. If the state gets involved my kids will be old men before we get this done. Cannot poison as this flows into one of my best lakes. Getting the Gators out is not a problem, it is the blasted turtles. Maybe pump out the 5 acres and collect the game fish. I'm searching for ideas.

I have never seen turtles to be predatory or even a problem. I consider them as the buzzards of the pond.

Dave, I hope you are right.

What makes you think the turtles are a problem?

It is either the gators or the turtles. Fish are way short for this age of a pond. At 8' deep it was not a winter type problem here in Fl. But we can not find any fish of size in it. 5 acre it should be in better health. More study I suppose. Might be an oxygen problem I can not see at this time of year.

Not the turtles...small ponds with bass normally must be managed to remove small bass or they will overpopulate and stunt. Too many bass competing for too few fish. The gators also likely have reduced the available forage leaving little left for too many bass. Remove gators, remove bass (everything under 12 inches) and watch the remaining bass flourish. Consider adding Tilapia also as they will take pressure off the other forage fish by producing prolific forage.

Measure progress with relative weights...this time next year you will be very pleased at the results.

Although turtles aren't a threat to healthy fish, I'm wondering if they take a toll on the spring fish spawns.

Bass, and catfish, will actually do a number on small turtles.