Hermitage Pond Stocked??

[waterninja]

I felt sorry for all those people fishing at Hermitage Pond today because according to the ACA website from an earlier thread here on the forum, Hermitage was still TBD. Since it's Sunday I called 311 and the Agent told me it has been stocked. I asked her to double check and told her about the ACA website so after putting me on hold for awhile she came back and assured me that 3000 Rainbow Trout have been stocked in Hermitage pond recently. That pond is very popular so this is good news. I know my 6 3/4 year old grandson loves it.
I'm still going to contact the ACA on Tuesday. Funny their website hasn't been updated, though it might be my computer skills. Or perhaps another agency has stocked it for the City.

[dutchpirate]

Webmaster is away fishing?

[Double-Eh]

I'd read somewhere there was uncertainty on when and even if they would stock it with the whirling disease spread. Maybe the fear of a bucket ride to the NSask followed by a migration into connecting waters? I'd be lying if I said I had any clue beyond my baseless assumption.

I hope it is stocked though. It can make for a fun evening

[chriscosta]

Was down there this evening no sighn of any fish being in there if they had stocked it you'd definitely see at least the odd riser it was 8-830 when I was there

[Isopod]

Yah, by 8-8:30 in the evening a freshly-stocked pond should have fishing jumping all over the place.

[waterninja]

Was down there this evening no sighn of any fish being in there if they had stocked it you'd definitely see at least the odd riser it was 8-830 when I was there
I agree. I took a walk around the pond and chatted with a lot of the anglers. No one has seen or heard of a fish being caught there this year.
Water is very clear and the park itself is much cleaner (except for the litter bugs), since they got rid of the majority of Canada Geese.
If you are casting a line into a pond or lake that has no fish in it, are you still fishing?
You'd think the City would put up a sign at the entrance if it is not going to be stocked.

[lakerman]

Kayaked on wed night saw one little riser, no way that it was stocked, but it would be good for some hook washing!

[idaman]

I agree. I took a walk around the pond and chatted with a lot of the anglers. No one has seen or heard of a fish being caught there this year.
Water is very clear and the park itself is much cleaner (except for the litter bugs), since they got rid of the majority of Canada Geese.
If you are casting a line into a pond or lake that has no fish in it, are you still fishing?
You'd think the City would put up a sign at the entrance if it is not going to be stocked.

Put a sign up???? Oh so it's someone else's Responsibility to keep you informed instead of doing something yourself?? How awfully "Millenial" of you...
Any self respecting adult is capable do he research themselves or put in the leg work and get a line wet. You found this site I'm sure you can find the stocking reports....
Lol... "city should put up a sign"...lmfao

[waterninja]

Put a sign up???? Oh so it's someone else's Responsibility to keep you informed instead of doing something yourself?? How awfully "Millenial" of you...
Any self respecting adult is capable do he research themselves or put in the leg work and get a line wet. You found this site I'm sure you can find the stocking reports....
Lol... "city should put up a sign"...lmfao
You are one of the biggest trollers on this forum. Are you this miserable with everyone? Have you ever posted something positive? Pity you don't know even a fraction of what you think you do. So you think it's ok the City has a sign telling people a pond is stocked when it's not? Or that 311 is telling people it's stocked when it isn't? Whatever. I'll find out more tomorrow from ACA.
Since you seem to know everything, why don't you enlighten us. The City has a sign up saying pond is stocked, and is telling people on 311 that it is stocked, yet ACA says it has not been stocked. Which is it Ida?
"Put a sign up" makes you laugh? That is funny, because they do have a sign up.

[idaman]

You are one of the biggest trollers on this forum. Are you this miserable with everyone? Have you ever posted something positive? Pity you don't know even a fraction of what you think you do. So you think it's ok the City has a sign telling people a pond is stocked when it's not? Or that 311 is telling people it's stocked when it isn't? Whatever. I'll find out more tomorrow from ACA.
Since you seem to know everything, why don't you enlighten us. The City has a sign up saying pond is stocked, and is telling people on 311 that it is stocked, yet ACA says it has not been stocked. Which is it Ida?
"Put a sign up" makes you laugh? That is funny, because they do have a sign up.


I guarantee I know a lot more than you... which is a shame because you've lived long enough you should have acquired some common sense by now.

A very informative posts immediately following this one, as well as plenty of good info shared...just sick of people expecting a hand out or a free ride and you seem to want both. Sad for someone your age to act like this "millennial" generation.

[waterninja]

I guarantee I know a lot more than you... which is a shame because you've lived long enough you should have acquired some common sense by now.

A very informative posts immediately following this one, as well as plenty of good info shared...just sick of people expecting a hand out or a free ride and you seem to want both. Sad for someone your age to act like this "millennial" generation.
Nice try at backtracking. I noticed you didn't answer the question, but continue to attack me personally. Doesn't bother me at all. You sound like a spoiled punk with no responsibilties. I just didn't like seeing all those families and children fishing in a dead pond. At least it was a beautifull May long weekend weather wise for everybody.
So tell me oh wise Ida, is Hermitage stocked or not? You seem to think you know. I say it isn't.
Anyways, it's obvious your just trolling like ussual. I will do some more resaerch tomorrow when everyone who really does know what's going on is back at work. Some of us in the Edmonton area would like to know.

[idaman]

Nice try at backtracking. I noticed you didn't answer the question, but continue to attack me personally. Doesn't bother me at all. You sound like a spoiled punk with no responsibilties. I just didn't like seeing all those families and children fishing in a dead pond. At least it was a beautifull May long weekend weather wise for everybody.
So tell me oh wise Ida, is Hermitage stocked or not? You seem to think you know. I say it isn't.
Anyways, it's obvious your just trolling like ussual. I will do some more resaerch tomorrow when everyone who really does know what's going on is back at work. Some of us in the Edmonton area would like to know.


**** you must be OLD as **** calling someone a punk... how about whippersnapper?? I guarantee my quality of life is far beyond your, my pockets are deeper and I love life and animals more than you could ever fathom. & pray to god I don't end up a old miserable ***** like you Ninja.

Not smart enough to see my response to your questions??
.."just sick of people expecting a hand out or a free ride and you seem to want both. Sad for someone your age to act like this "millennial" generation."

And of course it's not been stocked it was on the list of 11 and likely won't be this year. If they choose to believe the City then its their own fault since they have nothing to do with the stocking. Do you Feel sorry for everyone who is out fishing and doesn't catch??? That's half the sport, besides it's not like their aren't fish in there from last year and plenty of suckers to boot.

[waterninja]

**** you must be OLD as **** calling someone a punk... how about whippersnapper?? I guarantee my quality of life is far beyond your, my pockets are deeper and I love life and animals more than you could ever fathom. & pray to god I don't end up a old miserable ***** like you Ninja.

Not smart enough to see my response to your questions??
.."just sick of people expecting a hand out or a free ride and you seem to want both. Sad for someone your age to act like this "millennial" generation."

And of course it's not been stocked it was on the list of 11 and likely won't be this year. If they choose to believe the City then its their own fault since they have nothing to do with the stocking. Do you Feel sorry for everyone who is out fishing and doesn't catch??? That's half the sport, besides it's not like their aren't fish in there from last year and plenty of suckers to boot.
I'm beginning to think your egg was oiled or shaken. Or did I have you banned last time around? Either way your starting to rant. Pathetic. Only a punk tells everyone how rich and smart they are. Or are you just a kid who doesn't know better? Anyways, you don't care about sportsmen or their families thats your buisness. Your probably a litterbug also. As for me, rest assured that I will get the correct answer soon as I can and pass the the info along. That was the point of this thread.
You ever think of starting your own think tank, or maybe a blog called "ask Ida"?

[waterninja]

Just got off the phone with 311 support desk. They apologized for for giving out wrong info, and are going to suggest to Parks to change signage to reflect new situation. The pond has not been stocked yet, and they don't think it will be this year.
I think this would be a great oppurtunity to poison the pond and get rid of the sticklebacks that have really been a problem for last couple years.
Suckers in Hermitage pond???? Can always count on Ida for the lulz.

[Talking moose]

Just got off the phone with 311 support desk. They apologized for for giving out wrong info, and are going to suggest to Parks to change signage to reflect new situation. The pond has not been stocked yet, and they don't think it will be this year.
I think this would be a great oppurtunity to poison the pond and get rid of the sticklebacks that have really been a problem for last couple years.
Suckers in Hermitage pond???? Can always count on Ida for the lulz.

Why are sticklebacks a concern? Keeping the trout too well fed?

[THERICARDO]

Just got off the phone with 311 support desk. They apologized for for giving out wrong info, and are going to suggest to Parks to change signage to reflect new situation. The pond has not been stocked yet, and they don't think it will be this year.
I think this would be a great oppurtunity to poison the pond and get rid of the sticklebacks that have really been a problem for last couple years.
Suckers in Hermitage pond???? Can always count on Ida for the lulz.



Arent sticklebacks main food source in that pond? what would killing them off accomplish?

To answer your question Herm has been stocked, just not this year. Still lots of fish there just not so easy to catch as newly stocked fish. I know you fish Herm at the river lots now maybe you get to venture out a bit! Good luck

[Darren N]

Arent sticklebacks main food source in that pond? what would killing them off accomplish?

To answer your question Herm has been stocked, just not this year. Still lots of fish there just not so easy to catch as newly stocked fish. I know you fish Herm at the river lots now maybe you get to venture out a bit! Good luck

I haven't been there this year yet, but do you think there are some fish left over from years past? I thought if they are not be aerated now like the other local ponds that that would be it for anything left over and they would be winter killed - or most of them anyway. I was at Leduc last night and I got some small new stocks but no big ones - they always have some big ones. Then in Beaumont I catch a 12'' and then see an 16'' swim by my feet? Those can't be new stocks?

[chriscosta]

The lake winterkill hard every year but ...and it's a big but ...I have seen the odd older rainbow caught there never did myself but I know the odd one does survive some years but I'll bet you'd fish for days before ya caught one

[waterninja]

You guy's are killing me. Sticklebacks a main food source for trout? Seriously, your killing me. I thought this was a fishing forum.
Fly's, bugs, snails, micro's, weeds, etc. Sticklebacks kill every lake they are in (esp. a put and take pond) just like Perch do. Even worse, you cannot get rid of Sticklebacks like you can Perch.
Anyways,... it seems a shame. I have fished every stocked pond for 50 (100?) sq. kms. of Edm, and Hermitage was the first pond I would suggest for a nice pleasent day of fishing and fun for a family. Heck, you can roll a wheelchair to the shore, or on the dock. Beaumont or Cardiff #2.
Whatever.. I'm almost out of points.

[Talking moose]

You guy's are killing me. Sticklebacks a main food source for trout? Seriously, your killing me. I thought this was a fishing forum.

Fly's, bugs, snails, micro's, weeds, etc. Sticklebacks kill every lake they are in (esp. a put and take pond) just like Perch do. Even worse, you cannot get rid of Sticklebacks like you can Perch.

Anyways,... it seems a shame. I have fished every stocked pond for 50 (100?) sq. kms. of Edm, and Hermitage was the first pond I would suggest for a nice pleasent day of fishing and fun for a family. Heck, you can roll a wheelchair to the shore, or on the dock. Beaumont or Cardiff #2.

Whatever.. I'm almost out of points.



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[waterninja]

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Sorry TM, did I leave out other species eggs and larvae when I typed "and so on" of a Trout's diet? I also missed a hundred more items.
Sticklebacks kill ponds and lakes (slough's) in AB, Just like perch. Only worse.
You probably never even heard of Hassie lake.
But your right, I'm sure a bow would eat a sticklebacks eggs. Pity the parents suck all the oxygen out of a pond that Bow's need to survive. I'd call that ironic.

[waterninja]

I have examined many trout stomachs to try and figure out what they are feeding on. I'll admit iv'e seen the odd stickleback, but I'm not sure what a stickleback egg looks like. Please post a pic. Thanks.

[Talking moose]

Sorry TM, did I leave out other species eggs and larvae when I typed "and so on" of a Trout's diet? I also missed a hundred more items.
Sticklebacks kill ponds and lakes (slough's) in AB, Just like perch. Only worse.
You probably never even heard of Hassie lake.
But your right, I'm sure a bow would eat a sticklebacks eggs. Pity the parents suck all the oxygen out of a pond that Bow's need to survive. I'd call that ironic.

Not sure what your implying by saying I've probably never heard of hassie but whatever....I guess your saying sticklebacks sucked all the oxygen out of the water at hassie and that's why the fish died off?

[waterninja]

Not sure what your implying by saying I've probably never heard of hassie but whatever....I guess your saying sticklebacks sucked all the oxygen out of the water at hassie and that's why the fish died off?
Sorry TM, I was getting tired of typing. Yes, many years ago Hasse was a great lake for good size trout, and a nice place for the family to spend a day. They also had a very large dock/walkway to fish off of. The Stickle backs became so thick that they depleted the oxygen in the lake. I remember drilling holes in the ice there and as much Stickles came out of the hole as water. At the time we talked to the experts and were told they were going to poison (Rotenone?) the lake then restock it. We stopped going there and I really don't know what is happening with that lake. I have since learned a little about Sticklebacks and they are as bad as perch for taking over small lakes and depleteing it of oxygen and competeing for same food as trout.
In large lakes, big trout and other fish will eat Sticklebacks. In smaller stocked ponds and lakes the trout rarely get large enough to make a meal or even make a dent in the stickleback population. Even after poisoning a lake, one biologist told me they will reapper through the ground water to start the cycle again.
I have no idea how they actually go about killing off a lake so they can restock it, and what it means for other species like birds or people that might play in it, but I would chip in a few bucks to a fund to see it happen.

[chriscosta]

Not arguing just telling my experiences and I use minnows in winter and minnow Flys almost exclusively in summer for trout and it catches all big and small ...hermitage pond I have had many times the small stocked trout so full of sticklebacks they were spitting them out on shore still alive and like 2 or 3 at a time ...when a trout eats minnows they grow faster..and I remember the sticklebacks at Hasselbeck very well same deal the trout were getting big because the unlimited sticklebacks to eat...but once the perch exploded there the sticklebacks disapeaked they actually take very little oxogyn at all levels to survive and that's why they flourish in sloughs and what not and never winterkill

[Talking moose]

Not arguing just telling my experiences and I use minnows in winter and minnow Flys almost exclusively in summer for trout and it catches all big and small ...hermitage pond I have had many times the small stocked trout so full of sticklebacks they were spitting them out on shore still alive and like 2 or 3 at a time ...when a trout eats minnows they grow faster..and I remember the sticklebacks at Hasselbeck very well same deal the trout were getting big because the unlimited sticklebacks to eat...but once the perch exploded there the sticklebacks disapeaked they actually take very little oxogyn at all levels to survive and that's why they flourish in sloughs and what not and never winterkill

I've seen them in ditches along the hiway, people's freshly dug dugouts, even mud puddles. Very hardy little beasts.

[Mr Flyguy]

You guy's are killing me. Sticklebacks a main food source for trout? Seriously, your killing me. I thought this was a fishing forum.

More nonsense here! Why do fly tiers go to serious efforts to imitate stickleback minnows? See for example the pattern for the McLeod Minnow.

[THERICARDO]

You guy's are killing me. Sticklebacks a main food source for trout? Seriously, your killing me. I thought this was a fishing forum.
Fly's, bugs, snails, micro's, weeds, etc. Sticklebacks kill every lake they are in (esp. a put and take pond) just like Perch do. Even worse, you cannot get rid of Sticklebacks like you can Perch.
Anyways,... it seems a shame. I have fished every stocked pond for 50 (100?) sq. kms. of Edm, and Hermitage was the first pond I would suggest for a nice pleasent day of fishing and fun for a family. Heck, you can roll a wheelchair to the shore, or on the dock. Beaumont or Cardiff #2.
Whatever.. I'm almost out of points.



I was polite in my response and added a ? bc I wasn't 100% sure but have seen many a fly fisherman use flies imitating them. Of course you get defensive and respond like a child.

Maybe its good you have run out of points bc many don't seem to make that much sense.

[waterninja]

I was polite in my response and added a ? bc I wasn't 100% sure but have seen many a fly fisherman use flies imitating them. Of course you get defensive and respond like a child.

Maybe its good you have run out of points bc many don't seem to make that much sense.
Yes, I may have been overly critical in my responce, but I was getting tired and cranky. I started this thread to simply find out about the situation at a popular local pond, and try and get some info. for myself and for other anglers. Instead some of the ussual complainers come out from under their keyboards to twist things up and instigate an argument. The "killing me" remark was really just exhasperation. Don't take it personally.
At least some more people now know that Sticklebacks can be a real problem, so thats something.
As for point's remark, that pertained to something totally different relating to this thread. Lets just say that even winning a battle can take a "toll", and leave it at that. lol I'd be better off if I could type faster.

[Red Bullets]

Best thing to do regarding the stickleback minnow is learn to catch sticklebacks and get some recipes for minnows. Fried or dried you could eat them like popcorn. :sHa_sarcasticlol::sHa_shakeshout:

[Pierre]

....The Stickle backs became so thick that they depleted the oxygen in the lake. I remember drilling holes in the ice there and as much Stickles came out of the hole as water. .... I have since learned a little about Sticklebacks and they are as bad as perch for taking over small lakes and depleteing it of oxygen

^This is wrong.

Winterkill occurs when fish suffocate from lack of dissolved oxygen. Trace amounts of dissolved oxygen (measured in parts per million, ppm)
are required by fish and all other forms of aquatic life. Winterkill occurs during especially long, harsh winters and is worse in winters with abundant or
early snowfall. Early ice-on and late ice-out dates also increase the winterkill potential.

When snow and ice cover a lake, they limit the sunlight reaching aquatic plants. The plants then cut back on the amount of oxygen they produce. If vegetation dies from lack of sunlight, the plants start to decompose, which uses oxygen dissolved in the water. When oxygen depletion becomes severe enough, fish die. Shallow lakes with excess amounts of aquatic vegetation and mucky bottoms are prone to this problem.

Source:
http://www.aquaticnuisanceplantcontrol.com/Winterkill_20Fact_20Sheet_1_.pdf

[Talking moose]

Correct....^
Sticklebacks are just another food source for predatory fish. When you find a high concentration of sticklebacks in a lake, it is an indicator that the lake recently winterkilled or has a lack of predatory fish for some reason. They don't "take over". When the predatory fish die from winter kill, the sticklebacks thrive because they require very little oxygen. The reason you will never see bigger lakes like cold and slave lake over run with sticklebacks. Where as smaller slough like lakes susceptible to winter kill.

[huntsfurfish]

^This is wrong.

Winterkill occurs when fish suffocate from lack of dissolved oxygen. Trace amounts of dissolved oxygen (measured in parts per million, ppm)
are required by fish and all other forms of aquatic life. Winterkill occurs during especially long, harsh winters and is worse in winters with abundant or
early snowfall. Early ice-on and late ice-out dates also increase the winterkill potential.

When snow and ice cover a lake, they limit the sunlight reaching aquatic plants. The plants then cut back on the amount of oxygen they produce. If vegetation dies from lack of sunlight, the plants start to decompose, which uses oxygen dissolved in the water. When oxygen depletion becomes severe enough, fish die. Shallow lakes with excess amounts of aquatic vegetation and mucky bottoms are prone to this problem.

Source:
http://www.aquaticnuisanceplantcontrol.com/Winterkill_20Fact_20Sheet_1_.pdf

Winner winner.

[huntsfurfish]

Correct....^
Sticklebacks are just another food source for predatory fish. When you find a high concentration of sticklebacks in a lake, it is an indicator that the lake recently winterkilled or has a lack of predatory fish for some reason. They don't "take over". When the predatory fish die from winter kill, the sticklebacks thrive because they require very little oxygen. The reason you will never see bigger lakes like cold and slave lake over run with sticklebacks. Where as smaller slough like lakes susceptible to winter kill.

Winner

[waterninja]

^This is wrong.

Winterkill occurs when fish suffocate from lack of dissolved oxygen. Trace amounts of dissolved oxygen (measured in parts per million, ppm)
are required by fish and all other forms of aquatic life. Winterkill occurs during especially long, harsh winters and is worse in winters with abundant or
early snowfall. Early ice-on and late ice-out dates also increase the winterkill potential.

When snow and ice cover a lake, they limit the sunlight reaching aquatic plants. The plants then cut back on the amount of oxygen they produce. If vegetation dies from lack of sunlight, the plants start to decompose, which uses oxygen dissolved in the water. When oxygen depletion becomes severe enough, fish die. Shallow lakes with excess amounts of aquatic vegetation and mucky bottoms are prone to this problem.

Source:
http://www.aquaticnuisanceplantcontrol.com/Winterkill_20Fact_20Sheet_1_.pdf
Yes, I think that most people know about the weeds cosumption of oxygen when they decompose. It's a good pointh and is the main reason a pond or small lake will winterkill over a winter. There are also summer kills that can happen because of Algae blooms. I never once said Sticklebacks are the main or only reason a lake will winter kill, but they can become a huge problem when they are overpopulated. They also compete with trout for food. At least that is what a fish biologist that works for the AB govt. told me.
Perch can also be a big problem. Cormorants, cranes, pelicans,etc. can also be a problem for perch. Lots of other factors and conditions can also effect the health/ survival rate of Trout.

My main point for bringing up Sticklebacks is that since the pond has no trout anyways, this would be a good time to clean it up properly and then restock it with fresh healthy trout.
Heck that would be a perfect small pond to aerate, but I doubt the City would allow that.

[Darren N]

Well at the end of the day I know more about sticklebacks then a few days ago. I hope they do stock Hermitage again and if they do let me know if you can remember since some of the websites seem off for information. I agree its nice and central - good access - more than just one or two good fishing spots from shore and its a nice place for the kids to learn as well.

[Bushleague]

Correct....^
Sticklebacks are just another food source for predatory fish. When you find a high concentration of sticklebacks in a lake, it is an indicator that the lake recently winterkilled or has a lack of predatory fish for some reason. They don't "take over". When the predatory fish die from winter kill, the sticklebacks thrive because they require very little oxygen. The reason you will never see bigger lakes like cold and slave lake over run with sticklebacks. Where as smaller slough like lakes susceptible to winter kill.

Sticklebacks seem to be able to survive just about anything. We had a big puddle in the parking lot at a gas plant I worked at that had them every year. Every year the puddle would be pumped bone dry, then winter would come and if there was any accumulated water in the bottom it would freeze solid. The next spring when the puddle came back there would be more sticklebacks. I don't know if their eggs can survive without water or what?

[waterninja]

Correct....^
Sticklebacks are just another food source for predatory fish. When you find a high concentration of sticklebacks in a lake, it is an indicator that the lake recently winterkilled or has a lack of predatory fish for some reason. They don't "take over". When the predatory fish die from winter kill, the sticklebacks thrive because they require very little oxygen. The reason you will never see bigger lakes like cold and slave lake over run with sticklebacks. Where as smaller slough like lakes susceptible to winter kill.
Call it what you want, but the trout are dead and the Sticklebacks are thick. I call that taking over. The cranes and pelicans are happy though. You'll never eliminate them completly, but a good cleansing might give the pond lots of years before they are this bad again.
I will be doing some more digging as to why exactly they don't want to stock Hermitage. It must have something to do with the NSR being so close. Maybe they are worried about spreading Whirling Disease downstream to Sask. I doubt it, but someone must know.

[chriscosta]

Call it what you want, but the trout are dead and the Sticklebacks are thick. I call that taking over. The cranes and pelicans are happy though. You'll never eliminate them completly, but a good cleansing might give the pond lots of years before they are this bad again.
I will be doing some more digging as to why exactly they don't want to stock Hermitage. It must have something to do with the NSR being so close. Maybe they are worried about spreading Whirling Disease downstream to Sask. I doubt it, but someone must know.
Yup they are worried the fish can end up in the nsr like if the place flooded like a few years ago

[RavYak]

Call it what you want, but the trout are dead and the Sticklebacks are thick. I call that taking over. The cranes and pelicans are happy though. You'll never eliminate them completly, but a good cleansing might give the pond lots of years before they are this bad again.
I will be doing some more digging as to why exactly they don't want to stock Hermitage. It must have something to do with the NSR being so close. Maybe they are worried about spreading Whirling Disease downstream to Sask. I doubt it, but someone must know.

Yes there was a video with Todd Zimmerling(ACA president) that I believe I saw on Facebook. In it he was saying that whirling disease was going to have a couple immediate impacts on stocking this year for 2 reasons.

1) Some hatcheries are thought to be infected or they aren't sure if they are infected so they are not using their fish. This means they will be stocking fewer fish this year.

2) Waterbodies that have the ability to allow stocked fish to escape into river systems etc will not be stocked until I believe they can confirm they are free of whirling disease and that the fish being stocked do not have the disease. I believe Hermitage falls into this category because of the possibility of flooding.

[waterninja]

Yes there was a video with Todd Zimmerling(ACA president) that I believe I saw on Facebook. In it he was saying that whirling disease was going to have a couple immediate impacts on stocking this year for 2 reasons.

1) Some hatcheries are thought to be infected or they aren't sure if they are infected so they are not using their fish. This means they will be stocking fewer fish this year.

2) Waterbodies that have the ability to allow stocked fish to escape into river systems etc will not be stocked until I believe they can confirm they are free of whirling disease and that the fish being stocked do not have the disease. I believe Hermitage falls into this category because of the possibility of flooding.
Not just flooding. Hermitgage has a slow but steady stream of runoff flowing into the NSR.
Thats why I vote for cleaning out the main pond and restocking it fresh. One of the most popular and accessible trout pounds in alberta deserves some attention.

[410]

Ninja,
Why do your posts always go sideways.....?
It's cause you are always looking for loopholes and making excuses.
Learn how to be a sportsman.
Many posts over the past you have no clue.

[waterninja]

Ninja,
Why do your posts always go sideways.....?
It's cause you are always looking for loopholes and making excuses.
Learn how to be a sportsman.
Many posts over the past you have no clue.

Or perhaps I am looking too hard for answers, and am willing to debate when something doesn't make sense. Also, a few members that may hold a grudge for some percieved slight in the past like to stir chit up sometimes. Like perhaps someone with a whole 23 posts trying to give us a history lesson.
Loopholes and excuses? About trying to find out if a pond is stocked or not? Keep trying 410. Another useless post with nothing positive or informative to add to the thread.
That's the nice thing about AO. If you don't have a clue, you can get info. (right or wrong) and opinions from those who do. There is always new things to learn and different ways of looking at things. Some people just never get that i suppose.

[Mr Flyguy]

That's the nice thing about AO. If you don't have a clue, you can get info. (right or wrong) and opinions from those who do. There is always new things to learn and different ways of looking at things. Some people just never get that i suppose.

I agree. Some of the comments, opinions are BS, others, especially mine, are usually right on.:)

Anyway, related to the original thread, is the Fort Pond going to be stocked this year, and if not, why not?

[waterninja]

I agree. Some of the comments, opinions are BS, others, especially mine, are usually right on.:)

Anyway, related to the original thread, is the Fort Pond going to be stocked this year, and if not, why not?

According to ACA stocking report, Ft Sask pond is scheduled to be stocked in June, pending govt. assesment and approval (whatever that means). Hope fully they will stock it. That is another popular pond.

[Sundancefisher]

Yes, I think that most people know about the weeds cosumption of oxygen when they decompose. It's a good pointh and is the main reason a pond or small lake will winterkill over a winter. There are also summer kills that can happen because of Algae blooms. I never once said Sticklebacks are the main or only reason a lake will winter kill, but they can become a huge problem when they are overpopulated. They also compete with trout for food. At least that is what a fish biologist that works for the AB govt. told me.
Perch can also be a big problem. Cormorants, cranes, pelicans,etc. can also be a problem for perch. Lots of other factors and conditions can also effect the health/ survival rate of Trout.

My main point for bringing up Sticklebacks is that since the pond has no trout anyways, this would be a good time to clean it up properly and then restock it with fresh healthy trout.
Heck that would be a perfect small pond to aerate, but I doubt the City would allow that.

For stocked trout stickleback are a food source not a competitor for resources. They can survive lower O2 levels in water. They also are great for eating mosquitoes in ditches.

[Talking moose]

For stocked trout stickleback are a food source not a competitor for resources. They can survive lower O2 levels in water. They also are great for eating mosquitoes in ditches.

Please don't contradict WN. Isn't this a fishing forum? Real anglers know that sticklebacks use up all the oxygen and in turn kill the gamefish. Look what happened to Hasse.:thinking-006: (have you even heard of Hasse?):sHa_sarcasticlol:
Just talking smack with you Earnest. No offence.

[waterninja]

Real anglers know that it is a combination of things that can affect a lakes ecosystem. I am surprised you haven't heard of hasse though. It's west of Edm, not far from Star lake. It used to be a popular place to go trout fishing. Might have been before you were old enough to fish maybe.
EDIT.. It occurs to me that since your not from this area, you might not be familar with Hasse. Lot's of ponds and lakes that I am not familar with either. I only mentioned Hasse as it was one example of a lake that they poisoned to get rid of the Stickleback problem.