Pond dreaming is over

[ericher69]

Can anyone help identify this fish?

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=260160"/>
I just ordered the 20' windmill aerator from Tractor Supply. Anyone have one and do you like it? I hope to receive it in 2 weeks.

How big does this fish get?

 

[bikerdib]

Can anyone help identify this fish?

View attachment 260160
I just ordered the 20' windmill aerator from Tractor Supply. Anyone have one and do you like it? I hope to receive it in 2 weeks.

Looks like a treadfin to me, AKA a shiner.

 

[Tororider]

I was going to say shiner as well.

 

[philbuilt]

Cool deal on the shiners. The pond is full of them, so time for some trout?

 

[philbuilt]

How big does this fish get?

Some are about 8"

 

[bikerdib]

Cool deal on the shiners. The pond is full of them, so time for some trout?

What you need to determine is if it is a treadfin shad or gizzard shad. Treadfin can grow to around 8 inches but more commonly around 6 inches and are a favorite of largemouth bass. Gizzard shad can reach 20 inches and therefore can get bigger than most predator species. If the upper jaw sticks out farther than the lower it is a gizzard shad. The lower jaw sticks out farther than the upper on the treadfin. With either, you need to keep enough predator species in the pond otherwise the shad will overproduce. From your picture it looks like the lower jaw sticks out farther than the upper meaning its a treadfin but you might want to catch another just to make sure.

 

[philbuilt]

Bikerdib
Thanks for the info. I agree that the lower jaw doe's stick past. I did catch a 5" one and the side fins were red. Unfortunately bass are illegal to stock in Maine. So trout will have to do! However some ponds and lake around do have Bass.

 

[scoutcub]

Bikerdib
Thanks for the info. I agree that the lower jaw doe's stick past. I did catch a 5" one and the side fins were red. Unfortunately bass are illegal to stock in Maine. So trout will have to do! However some ponds and lake around do have Bass.

I grew up in Mass and used to go fishing all the time at a lake around 4 miles from my home....either walking or biking. I would catch bluegill and Bass....and bring them home in a 5 gallon bucket.....and then I would trip and spill the bucket into my small pond in the backyard.....:thumbsup::laughing:

Once the bluegills began reproducing, the bass were very happy.....not to mention I would feed them frogs from around the edge of the pond...

 

[philbuilt]

Last year I did catch a rather large fish it resembled a 15" largemouth bass. Wink wink
But here in my pond it s sun fish. They are legal here in Maine. Maybe it came in on the leg of a Canadian goose.

 

[philbuilt]

Good evening at the pond. Fed the fish and wet a line. Caught one of my sun fish. 12"