I work on a piece of property that has a very small pond, its 1/2 acre or less, probably less right now because the water is really low. However just the other day I found out there is still life inside. I caught a few sunfish and 4 bass around 1 ft long. I think I caught 1 bass twice so it may have been 3 bass.

Anyway, what are some basic inexpensive things I could do to give this little eco system a boost? I'm at the property at least 3 days a week already, so anything that requires consistent maintenance or observation won't be a problem.

I've read some things online about managing ponds, fish ratios per size etc, I guess the first thing that I need to establish is what kind of wildlife is in this pond, but how could I go about getting an overall picture of this is ecosystem, drag it with a net? I have no experience with fish finders,how accurate are they? This would only give me number not type of fish, right? What about insects, should I set out bug traps and try to find out what's crawling around/in the pond?

The first thing to consider is what are your objectives for the pond? Once that's decided, then a reasonable action plan can be developed and put in place. Also, you should try to fairly accurately determine the size of the pond....guessing can be highly inaccurate and lead to decisions which can make things far worse rather than better.

If you are catching fish this time of year, then it probably has a good population established...but is it consistent with your objective's for the pond?

Fishing it is arguably the easiest way to get a "picture" of the system. Fish finder would be a waste of time. Bug traps are also pretty much ineffective.

Small ponds can be great fun and highly rewarding, especially if they are inline with your objectives. No one should give you advice without first understanding your objectives. It all starts there.

Thanks for the quick reply. My objectives for this pond would be to grow enough legal sized bass to support regular fishing. As well as maximize the amount of any other fish and aquatic life the pond could support.

I will get an accurate measurement of the pond, and the depth and report back.

You may be a lot closer to meeting your objectives than you might think. Gather some more data by fishing the pond. Record relative weights of the bass and the bluegills and from the data you accumulate begin to develop your plan.

There are several good articles on the 'net about relative weights and what they mean. I like this one:
http://agrilife.org/fisheries/files/2013...h-Condition.pdf

Bass tend to overpopulate in small ponds if they aren't managed but lots of bass provides lots of fishing action which may suit your objectives. I have raised trophy bass in ponds under 1/2 acre but it is a lot of effort for little reward. Typically such a pond will support only a very few such bass and with time those can become very "educated" and difficult to catch, very difficult.

In contrast, a pond with a lot of small bass can provide excellent fishing action. It just depends on your objectives.

The more data you can gather the better you will understand what you have and how best to move forward.

Ok, so the pond has a surface area of approximately .32 acres. I haven't been able to get a depth just yet but soon. Caught these bass yesterday.

12.25 inches


11.75 inches


11 inches


I only caught these 3 and I should also add, that the last time I fished I only caught bass as well. Prior to that I fished this pond about 4-5 months ago and caught multiple sunfish on a worm and bobber. Next time I fish ill try that again and see if I can catch any sunfish.

That's a beautiful little pond...looks to be very clear.

Is it open or accessible to the public?

This pond is private, I'm extremely lucky to have access to it!

next time you catch sunfish post pictures of those as well, if they're green sunfish or warmouth throw them on the bank.

I would never toss a Green Sunfish on the bank. Although different, they will out fight a bluegill every time. And, since they only spawn annually and a bluegill has rolling spawns, they won't threaten anything.

The op stated as part of his objective to "maximize the amount of any other fish and aquatic life the pond could support".

I just can't see how throwing all green sunfish (or warmouth) on the bank does anything to aid in that objective.

Personally, I love green sunfish, especially in small ponds. They are aggressive and very fun to catch. As for warmouths, the typical pond isn't well suited for warmouth...but another very fun fish to catch.

I missed the OP's objective, I typically think in terms of growing bass and completely missed it.

Looks like a fun place to take a fly rod a little later in the year. Small popping bug should be a killer for both bass and sunfish.