Fisheries managers have a wealth of information available on how to manage small ponds, and there has been substantial research directed at managing large reservoirs that impound substantial rivers. However, there is a scarcity of information on reservoirs that are too big to be ponds and too small to be major reservoirs. These mid-size systems appear to be biologically distinct from their larger and smaller cousins. In this episode, Wes discusses these intermediate systems with biologist Hayden Funk, who just completed his master’s degree on management of mid-size southern impoundments. They discuss the fish, the habitat, and the people that make up the management triad of these lakes, and some of the management opportunities that are available.

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We have scientifically proven approaches to lake and pond management, but there is always an element of art involved. Every lake is different. There is always something just a little odd that needs to be considered or a unique issue that must be addressed, and some lakes are just simply “problem lakes”. In this episode, we take an in-depth look at a lake that fits this description. This is a lake built in a deep erosion valley of the Mississippi River escarpment that has faced watershed issues, plant issues, and fisheries management issues for some time. But with proper management and attention to detail, the lake is getting back on track. Wes discusses this lake with owner/manager, Mr. Jeffrey Clark.

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Fishing has become a game of technology. Some of it is finding fish, like with GPS and sonar, and some of it is catching fish, like electronic lures and synthetic scents. But there’s tool in the bass fishing word that is engineered to help you decide when and how to fish. The application is called BassForecast and it is the #1 bass fishing app in the world, boasting about 1 million subscribers. Research on BassForecast suggests that its fishing predictions can significantly increase the likelihood of success on the water. To discuss the app, Wes interviews avid angler and the app’s founder, Mike Mehlmann. Mike and Wes discuss how and why app works, gives some examples of its efficacy, and go off on some pretty interesting tangents. Tune in and decide if this app is for you!

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Do you own a property rich in ponds or a small lake? Do you want to make money off those resources? If so, this episode is for you. Wes chats with Dr. Daryl Jones, Professor at Mississippi State University and leader of the Natural Resources Enterprise Program. They discuss what type of person it takes to run such a business, the potential opportunities a landowner might consider, and the legal and business side of making money from water. Grab a notebook and your laptop, because Fish University will get you started on turning your land into a profitable outdoor enterprise.

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Are you thinking of building a pond or are managing an existing pond? In this episode, Wes presents his crash course in pond management. Learn about the best approaches for recreational fishing ponds from construction to stocking to fish management, and even adjusting water quality to maximum fish health and trophy production. We’ll start with the three golden rules and build on them with examples from Wes’s years of pond management Extension experience.

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You have surely heard of the flying carp that invaded our larger rivers. Videos of water skiers dressed up like gladiators and armed with dip nets pulled at 30 mph are ubiquitous on the internet. In this episode of Fish University, Wes talks to the leading expert on the invasive carps from Asia, Mr. Duane Chapman. We talk the history, biology, movement, control, and even a recipe or two. Duane shares stories from his decades working on these species, including the time he and colleagues captured 240,000 pounds of these fish!

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In Western Missouri there is a lake that doesn’t follow the standard private pond formula. Lake Deanna is a larger private lake with unique habitat, unusual depth, and an experimental fish community. The deep lake has been stocked with largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, and sunfish. Bluegill and Redear Sunfish are already pushing a pound, and bass have exceeded 8 pounds in just 4 years! However, the lake is not without its issues. In this episode, Wes discusses Lake Deanna with the Pond Boss, Bob Lusk, and the lake’s owner and visionary, Greg Graves. We’ll take you from inception and construction, through the development of the fishery, and even prescribe management for the future. So grab a beverage and join in, you don’t want to miss it!

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Anglers know that many fish species depend on the structure that trees provide. Habitat, such as standing timber, blow downs, snags, and cypress trees are popular places to fish in lakes and streams. But what about when the river leaves the riverbed and enters the bottomland forest? It turns out that this “flooded forest” habitat is critical for many fish species. Most lowland rivers used to seasonally flood into the surrounding forests, which could remain inundated for months at a time. These areas were important to spawning, early life history, and feeding ecology of many important fish species. Today, many rivers have lost this connection due to river regulation for navigation and flood control, with consequence for many river species that depended on flooded forests. In this episode, Wes discusses the value of flooded forests and ways we can improve our highly regulated rivers with Dr. Sandra Correa.

Do you have questions or comments? Follow the Fish University Facebook community and chat with Wes or suggest future episodes!