Mystery of the Missing Fish

[Crockett]

This weekend my cousin, brother and I went out to camp and fish at a pond towards the back of my property. This pond originally had no fish in it (it is a small farm pond) but early last year we put in 2 bass and around 50 bluegill. The bluegill had been multiplying as we could see numerous new smaller fish in the pond. The water is very clear and anytime we went back there to fish we had no problem seeing the bass and all of the bluegill which had doubled in size in a years time. My family and I had a lot of fun times catching the fish. I had quite a few pound to pound and a halfs in there. Back in July my brother and cousin went back there and they caught the bass and some bluegill - all of which they put back into the pond. Well when we went down there this past weekend we didn't see any of the large fish. When we tried fishing for them we only caught the smallest of blue gill and didn't see any large ones, nor did we see the two bass. There were plenty of babies swimming around though.

So here is the mystery, what happened to the two bass and all of the large bluegill? The water in the pond is around 3 feet below its normal level due to the drought. There is still around 4 feet of water in it. We didn't see any dead fish in the water or around the pond. Could some sort of bird/mammal have caught the big fish and ate them? Do you think I was hit by some tresspassers who fished out my pond? Where did all the fish go? Could they still be in there but hiding really well and for some reason not eating?

[pastorbass]

I wouldn't be too concerned after one trip - after two or three I would start to worry. Bass are predators so they can hide pretty well. Also, it's been really hot - all those big fish are probably as close to the bottom as they can get and probably not as active right now.

[Snareman2]

Otter! They can really put the hurt on a small pond. They are good at what they do. Which is catch and eat fish. Pay attention to the banks for their scale loaded scat, tracks in the mud, slides. It wouldn't take long for a family to wipe out a pond. Good luck. If you need somebody to thin them down this season, I'm sure there are people on here that could help.

[notimlmit]

Possibly they were hiding yes but if your used to seeing them regular either someone slipped in or a turnover like what I found has happened. More than likely someone else found your spot and cleaned the larger fish out. It's sad but there are some people who just don't care to tresspass and do whatever illegal things they want. Through the years I've had my problems with these people, even this past spring with turkey hunting.

[Xi Bowhunter]

It may have been too hot for them and they died, then the old coon or opossum comes along and drags the carcass away for an easy meal.

[grouser68]

It may have been too hot for them and they died, then the old coon or opossum comes along and drags the carcass away for an easy meal.

Xi stole my thunder! But, I would have added that with the heat and the drought conditions a lack of oxygen played a role in their demise.

[BuckUp]

Dead fish don't always float,they will also sink to the bottom.
I would also take serious consideration to the possibility that you could have been hit by tresspassers.:eek: