Wednesday Wildlife, 2/5/14

While working on the deck, I widened a hole in the ice and found this huge example of what's growing in the pond:

But wait, like any fish story, the fisherman must always come clean:

This bluegill was only about an inch long and probably came from one of last summer's broods.

I measured 10-12 inches of ice before the temperature drop at the first of the year and provided me with the opportunity for working on deck on the pond.

Additionally: for more information on pond management, go to Iowa DNR's Iowa Farm Ponds

2012 devastated the fish population after about 18 months of under-average moisture. I came upon the pond in August of that year and it was only a couple of feet deep with a couple of dozen dead bass that I used to fertilize the walnut trees.

2013 Spring rains filled thousands of gallons of water and the level went from nearly empty to 10 feet deep after two major rains. We added some 2 inch bass last fall and hopefully they will rapidly grow feeding off the bluegill. The pond is down some after another dry summer and fall but we look forward to next summer and throwing line. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with good but not drenching rains. Last spring, a couple of storms had me very nervous.