want to stock pond... - will the pond turtles be a problem?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - want to stock pond... - will the pond turtles be a problem?

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:17:39 PM EDT

I moved and now have a small pond (about 1/4 acre) and I'd like to stock it with brim. A friend told me I'd have to get rid of the pond turtles first or they'd eat the fish.

Is that right?

These turtles aren't snappers, they are just plain old pond turtles. I don't want to kill them if I don't have to.

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:18:09 PM EDT

[#1]

turtles are opportunistic feeders. if they can catch it they will eat it, including fish

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:19:47 PM EDT

[#2]

Turtles are not very efficient hunters. They will try to catch fish but they will most likely not be able to put a dent in the population. I wouldn't worry about them. They're more likely to pose a problem eating your bait.

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:26:02 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
I moved and now have a small pond (about 1/4 acre) and I'd like to stock it with brim. A friend told me I'd have to get rid of the pond turtles first or they'd eat the fish.

Is that right?

These turtles aren't snappers, they are just plain old pond turtles. I don't want to kill them if I don't have to.

depending on the size of your pond, you'll need a few turtles.

they prevent over-stocking (yes they will eat fish) and they can and will eat dead fish (but not rotting).

if you have a small pond, say 1/4 acre, I'd be wary of a large number of turtles (9 or more) as they may feed on the fingerlings that you'll be stocking with.

My parent's pond was full of small fish even after weeding some (small fish) out. The previous owner was fond of shooting the turtles and herrons with a 22.

With no predation, the pond was unable to support large fish and consequently the average size shrank.

i wouldn't go overboard with the turtle killing, but I'm no ecologist/wildlife biologist.

edit: called my dad, his opinion was that the turtles weren't going to pose a large threat.

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:26:18 PM EDT

[#4]

Check with your local wildlife/fisheries extension agent.

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:35:44 PM EDT

[#5]

I think it depends on the type of turtle as well. Little painted ones are going to do much. But we had a huge snapper that would catch large fish and eat them.

It started having an effect on how many fish were in the pond.

It took 4 hits of ss109 and still didnt die.

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:43:27 PM EDT

[#6]

good target practice. We never stocked them, just understand that build it and they will come (kind of like mud cats).

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:44:59 PM EDT

[#7]

not sure how MS is, but in FL you WILL get gators too.

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:50:20 PM EDT

[#8]

Some gators around here but not many. None around my little piece of land. I'm thinking there are about 10-15 turtles in there, but only about 4 or 5 are very large - being about 8 inches or so long. I've seen some babies too.

Anyways, thanks for the replies!!!

Posted: 4/17/2006 1:53:46 PM EDT

[#9]

they will eat a few fish, but mostly dead ones. If you are still concerned catch them out sun bathing and shoot them. If you can't shoot them set a traught line.

Posted: 4/17/2006 2:02:09 PM EDT

[#10]

It's all about balance, too many turtles is bad, too may fish is bad, etc. If you already have them they are eating something.

BTW I am a wildlife biologist.

Posted: 4/17/2006 2:11:34 PM EDT

[#11]

turtles in your pond.? don't cool your feet off by danglin your footsies over the dock.. dont wanna feed the turtles your toes...

Posted: 4/17/2006 2:16:39 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
good target practice. We never stocked them, just understand that build it and they will come (kind of like mud cats).

+1, and big +1.

Some of my happiest afternoons when I was a kid were spent on a pond bank shooting turtles (and a bullfrog or a bazillion) with a .22 RF rifle.

The dead turtles will usually float to the surface the following day.

You definitely don't want to stock turtles, you'll have plenty, and you can have too many.

Posted: 4/17/2006 2:19:18 PM EDT

[#13]

Bream make rabbits look celebate. Don't worry.

The biggest problem you will have is not taking enought fish out and they will overpopulate your pond within a few years.

+1 on 22LR + turtle on log= fun

Posted: 4/17/2006 4:21:56 PM EDT

[#14]

Don't forget to put in a few catfish. Fun to catch and good eating too.

Posted: 4/17/2006 4:25:28 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
turtles in your pond.? don't cool your feet off by danglin your footsies over the dock.. dont wanna feed the turtles your toes...

www.dausettrails.com/snapturtle.jpg

So, ummmm

, how'd you manage to get "mr. jurassic park" into your boat and did you get a chance to weigh him? Did you also cut him open to see what he was eating as his primary diet?

Posted: 4/17/2006 4:36:53 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Quoted:
turtles in your pond.? don't cool your feet off by danglin your footsies over the dock.. dont wanna feed the turtles your toes...

www.dausettrails.com/snapturtle.jpg

So, ummmm , how'd you manage to get "mr. jurassic park" into your boat and did you get a chance to weigh him? Did you also cut him open to see what he was eating as his primary diet?

Need to cut him open and make soup out of him.

Posted: 4/17/2006 4:44:26 PM EDT

[#17]

You can build a simple, and efficient turtle trap if you have a problem.

Half of a 55 gallon steel drum. Cut two small holes in the lower sides (to allow it to sink until about 8-12" is above the water line. Weight it with a couple of bricks.)

Hinge a 2x4 over the side and have a portion of the 2x4 over the center of the steel drum. AS turtles come up the 2x4 to sun, they will be allowed to crawl up to the center of the drum, then their body weight causes the 'slide' to tip them in to the steel drum.

They can either drown in place, or you can go out and remove them.

Continues to work 24/7/365 for turtle removal.

And no, I do not think turtles 'need' to be in a pond.

TRG

Posted: 4/17/2006 5:26:44 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
I think it depends on the type of turtle as well. Little painted ones are going to do much. But we had a huge snapper that would catch large fish and eat them.

It started having an effect on how many fish were in the pond.

It took 4 hits of ss109 and still didnt die.

He will die eventually. They are tough bastards though.

I put 7 rounds of .45 in a huge snapper a few weekends ago and crawled away from me went into the pond and it dove underwater. I found it yesterday up on the pond bank dead as a hammer.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - want to stock pond... - will the pond turtles be a problem?

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