The selective harvest of bass in a private fishery is one of the most important management practices you can implement if you are trying to raise trophy-class bass in your fishery.
Why a bass harvest is so important
It is a common misconception that if you harvest or remove any Bass from your fishery, there is no way to ever have any fish reach trophy size. While this theory is correct for those individuals that are harvested (cannot get big if you aren't in the pond), it does not hold true for the rest of the fishery. When you remove competition for resources, the remaining fish have a better chance to flourish.
The Myth of More Bass Equals Better Fishing
A common belief in pond management is that avoiding Bass harvest leads to more fish and therefore better fishing experiences. On the surface, this seems true—if you don’t remove any Bass, their population increases, and catching fish becomes easier. You may even reach a point where every cast produces a bite. However, this short-term success hides a long-term problem.
When Overpopulation Leads to Stunted Bass
As Bass density increases, the available forage—like Bluegill—can’t keep up. The result? Bass begin to starve. Most of these fish will be in the 10–14 inch range and weigh less than a pound. Despite being easy to catch, they are in poor health. If left unchecked, this leads to a stunted population that won’t grow larger, no matter how much time passes.
Selective bass harvest ... just do it
Harvesting fish in a private fishery is one of the MOST important management aspects of that body of water. The reason harvesting Bass is such an important management aspect is when you remove select individuals from your pond you are better allocating resources to your non-culled Bass. This includes increasing the density of forage available to your fish, as well as ensuring that the resources will not be depleted to the point of detriment for future season.
The Forage Needs of Growing Bass
Bass need, on average, around 10 pounds of forage to gain a single pound of body weight. In most pond environments, Bluegill are the primary and most effective forage source. Specifically, Bluegill in the 3–5 inch range provide the greatest nutritional value while remaining small enough for most Bass to consume. These mid-sized Bluegill are critical for supporting healthy Bass growth.
Why Predator Management Is Essential
A 3–5 inch Bluegill typically weighs just 1 to 1.5 ounces, meaning a Bass must eat between 11 and 16 of them to gain just one pound. When you calculate how many Bluegill are needed across an entire season, it becomes clear why managing predator populations—especially Bass—is so important. Without regular removal, forage supplies can’t keep up with demand. For more information on maintaining a healthy Bluegill population, visit How to Create a Steady Supply of Bluegill.
And do it again
Harvesting Bass: A Must for Growing Trophy Fish
If your goal is to raise trophy-class Bass, annual harvesting is essential. In a well-managed pond, you likely already have a harvest plan in place. However, the specific size and number of Bass to remove can vary each year based on your management goals. For ponds that have been neglected or were recently acquired, the best way to determine harvest strategy is to conduct a fishery survey. Ideally, you won’t encounter fish in poor condition like the one pictured to the left.
Use Technology to Guide Pond Management
At Pond King, our fishery surveys are carried out by trained professionals. But if you own a small stock pond (under 2 acres) or your pond falls outside our service area, you can still get expert insights using the Pond King App. This tool allows you to perform a virtual assessment and receive recommendations—no on-site visit required.
Contact the Professionals at Pond King to discuss why bass harvest is important in your pond.
Depending on the goals you have for your fishery, either option will provide you with the information necessary to begin harvesting. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
If you live outside our regular service area, but you're trying to raise trophy-class bass, consider checking out our DIY Pond Management App.
Until next time, we'll see y’all down at the pond.
