wilda 422 Posted June 5, 2016 Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 Hi all, Now this is a bit out there and no I not going to ask for a spot to fish but any help tips on setting up a dam for trout. I had one shot at it but due to lack of rain in the last few years it has dried up. Where I live we have no mains supply so it's our garden and stock water. So I am after any tips or ideas for setting it up again if and when we get some more rain Squid Inc., Meppstas, Alexsfishin1 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
projoe 261 Posted June 5, 2016 Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 It looks like you did nothing wrong last time but living in a rain shadow area it going to be pot luck I guess. I think you would have let the dam flourish for a while before putting any more trout in on the next fill so insect life & water plants can establish. A club i belong to called SAFWAA (south australian freshwater anglers assc) have established about 20 dams on private properties for members to fish (C&R only) with both native & trout in them if your interested you can go to a meeting & see what its all about they meet on the 1st tuesday of the month in town at the adelaide police club, next meet tho is the AGM will be a busy one me thinks. Meppstas 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AquaticResearch1 1,046 Posted June 5, 2016 Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 Depth is important, as is water quality, but there is not alot you can do about that beyond limiting stock access. How old is the dam? Been established long? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilda 422 Posted June 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 The dam is fully fenced and is only grazed in the spring to keep the grass down for summer as we spend plenty of time relaxing down there. The dam was around 4mt deep and now around 7-8 mts the dam has only just been dug out and is still empty. I was wondering whether to maybe look at planting it with some plants to provide habitat for insects and whether or not to put in any snags/ structure for the fish. Cheers WILDA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brenton 637 Posted June 5, 2016 Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 Don't have the dead gum there,any roosting site will be taken up by shags and they will soon clean up you trout and yes having somewhere for the fish to hide if the shags do arrive seems like a good idea. cheers b Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilda 422 Posted June 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 Cheers Brenton Yes would of loved to take it out but it's a big tree bout 10 years fire wood I reckon might need a few sticks of TNT to break it down a bit though lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
projoe 261 Posted June 5, 2016 Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 Natives need structure if your going down that path but trout just need to swim & swim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheBerg 241 Posted June 6, 2016 Report Share Posted June 6, 2016 Don't know if this is true but I was told that putting Yabbies in your damn makes it deeper over a period of time. Something to do with them burrowing into the bottom even if it is a super hardpacked???? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Meppstas 4,964 Posted June 9, 2016 Report Share Posted June 9, 2016 Most fish prefer structure in rivers & dams, even trout... I pick up plenty of browns close to dead wood in the rivers here in Tassie.. The dark shape next to the branch is a large brown trout.. Sykes and BarneyB 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habitat4fish 14 Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 Hi Wilda, If your serious about establishing your own private fishery, happy to and can help you, send me an email austprivatefisheriesresources@gmail.com. My background, I am a fisheries ecologist with 15 years experience, including two state fisheries departments and have worked on some well known public and private freshwater fisheries. I will only help if your serious though as I don't have time to waste. By first impressions yes your dam could support trout, some good size ones too, but there will be some work involved on your behalf. Again, I will only help if your serious though. cheers Trav reelfun, wilda and Bait Caster 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brenton 637 Posted January 19, 2017 Report Share Posted January 19, 2017 Good offer TH,i wonder how it all went its been a wet year so water shouldn't of been an issue. cheers b Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilda 422 Posted January 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Hi, So the dam is chockers, and last week released bout 350 yabbies into the dam and has good aquatic insects as well. I have also ordered 100x 150mm rainbows to be picked up at the end of April. Trav love the offer pm sent. Cheers WILDA baitwaster, Sykes, Panga and 2 others 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Panga 1,484 Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 I got my name on those yabbies mate Pics look good when the water is there mate. wilda 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Seeseacol 381 Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 Hi, So the dam is chockers, and last week released bout 350 yabbies into the dam and has good aquatic insects as well. I have also ordered 100x 150mm rainbows to be picked up at the end of April. Trav love the offer pm sent. Cheers WILDA Aren't Yabbies a bit frowned upon in dams ? They make holes everywhere allowing more water to seep out Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KIDNEY SLAPPER 1,272 Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 from previous experience we never put yabbies in a damn until the baby fish grow a little bigger. we found the yabbies only eat the baby fish. i recommend fish first then yabbies. ☺ wilda 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brenton 637 Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 yabbies can damage a dam if it is made using a clay base and is above the surrounding area but if "as this dam looks to be in a natural depression" the water is already at its lowest point.if you get my drift. cheers b Seeseacol, KIDNEY SLAPPER, BarneyB and 2 others 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilda 422 Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 A quick update on the dam. On taking up habitat4fish offer, part of the plan was to set some operahouse nets to see if the yabbies were doing ok. I think the pictures tell the story best One of the biggest Panga, bjorn2fish, BarneyB and 3 others 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilda 422 Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Good numbers Panga, Sykes, archerfish and 4 others 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilda 422 Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 So very hard to release these back Meppstas, Squid Inc., archerfish and 4 others 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AquaticResearch1 1,046 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 The rainbows should take off. Doesn't sound too heavily stocked so those that survive may end up absolute stonkers They'll grow like bombs once they chow down on those tasty crustaceans Panga and wilda 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Panga 1,484 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 I knew you would make it happen mate. :clap:Well done Craig wilda 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keenfisho 1,416 Posted May 2, 2017 Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 Any pics of the dam now it's full and thriving? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilda 422 Posted May 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 A picture of some of the yabbies released A picture of the dam from early march. Hopefully soon I will do another update with the release of the rainbows, can't wait for that!!! yah yah piratepom, BarneyB, KIDNEY SLAPPER and 7 others 10 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keenfisho 1,416 Posted May 2, 2017 Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 Awesome dam and spot mate Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Territory Lad 1,137 Posted May 3, 2017 Report Share Posted May 3, 2017 Looks great Wilda. Congrats on you current success. I hope it continues with the trout. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kuerschie 2,309 Posted May 3, 2017 Report Share Posted May 3, 2017 Nice looking dam Wilda! Plenty of yabbies for food and bait so the trout should bulk up well and good, especially coming into winter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Meppstas 4,964 Posted May 5, 2017 Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 That's come up a treat wilda, those 150 mm juvenile rainbows will grow quickly in there too, they'll fatten up nicely over the next two years.. Make sure you have a solid mess grid at the overflow to stop them going over if & when it fills and spills.. cheers Adrian Allroy, wilda and Panga 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilda 422 Posted June 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 A quick update, Had a call stating that the bows are ready for pick up so a quick trip and soon had them home. Slowly acclimatising. Rough average size Slowly being released Was great to sit down with a few tins watching the occasional 'rise' as the end of another day came to a end. A big thanks to habitat4fish for all your help and advise mate. If anyone is thinking of setting up a dam for fish/ fishing get in contact with Trav he really knows his stuff Cheers ludaqryz, ScottyDog, Panga and 6 others 9 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BarneyB 1,939 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Looking good mate. wilda, KIDNEY SLAPPER and Panga 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KIDNEY SLAPPER 1,272 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 awseome stuff wilda its all coming together nicley 😎 Panga and wilda 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BarneyB 1,939 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 I wonder if something like this would help? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-08/fish-hotels-protect-fish-species-in-central-qld-waterways/8104884 I believe some smaller ones have been used in SA. Panga, wilda and Meppstas 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habitat4fish 14 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Hey Craig, Great to see you have got some fish in and good to hear that they are swimming around nosing the surface, sound like you have some happy fish. Might pay to go down to your pond in the morning and following mornings (if your not at work) to check out if the see if the fish are swiming right on/breaking the surface, the fish may school up so that would help to spot them. Let me know if they are. Also, check to see if cormorants are drying their wings in the nearby trees. Just show a bit of presence if they are. With those massive daphnia, your fish should be putting on some weight soon. Keep us updated about your fish, cheers Trav BarneyB, KIDNEY SLAPPER, Panga and 3 others 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Meppstas 4,964 Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Hey Craig, Great to see you have got some fish in and good to hear that they are swimming around nosing the surface, sound like you have some happy fish. Might pay to go down to your pond in the morning and following mornings (if your not at work) to check out if the see if the fish are swiming right on/breaking the surface, the fish may school up so that would help to spot them. Let me know if they are. Also, check to see if cormorants are drying their wings in the nearby trees. Just show a bit of presence if they are. With those massive daphnia, your fish should be putting on some weight soon. Keep us updated about your fish, cheers Trav They're nice little 'bows wilda.. should grow quite nicely.. Spot on, check for the Cormorants for sure, they'll clean out a dam in no time at all.. can eat up to three times their own body weight per day.. They've cleaned out many dams here not long after being stocked.. cheers Adrian habitat4fish, wilda and BarneyB 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilda 422 Posted June 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Thanks Guys I wonder if something like this would help? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-08/fish-hotels-protect-fish-species-in-central-qld-waterways/8104884 I believe some smaller ones have been used in SA. yes BB, If/ when the dam gets low again I have a lot of ideas to help the little ones Hey Craig, Great to see you have got some fish in and good to hear that they are swimming around nosing the surface, sound like you have some happy fish. Might pay to go down to your pond in the morning and following mornings (if your not at work) to check out if the see if the fish are swiming right on/breaking the surface, the fish may school up so that would help to spot them. Let me know if they are. Also, check to see if cormorants are drying their wings in the nearby trees. Just show a bit of presence if they are. With those massive daphnia, your fish should be putting on some weight soon. Keep us updated about your fish, cheers Trav Hey Craig, Great to see you have got some fish in and good to hear that they are swimming around nosing the surface, sound like you have some happy fish. Might pay to go down to your pond in the morning and following mornings (if your not at work) to check out if the see if the fish are swiming right on/breaking the surface, the fish may school up so that would help to spot them. Let me know if they are. Also, check to see if cormorants are drying their wings in the nearby trees. Just show a bit of presence if they are. With those massive daphnia, your fish should be putting on some weight soon. Keep us updated about your fish, cheers Trav They're nice little 'bows wilda.. should grow quite nicely.. Spot on, check for the Cormorants for sure, they'll clean out a dam in no time at all.. can eat up to three times their own body weight per day.. They've cleaned out many dams here not long after being stocked.. cheers Adrian Have been down for a few looks today but no sign of any fish. But more importantly no cormorants, has been a bit of a campaign of different types over the last few weeks to move any that have been seen on to different places. Will be back down there this arvo just on dark to check on things habitat4fish, BarneyB and Meppstas 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habitat4fish 14 Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Hey guys, I am rarely on strike hook but if anyone is interested in fish in dams/private fisheries, then I have a facebook group called Private Fisheries Australia group where we talk about all things private fisheries and fishing. cheers Trav. AquaticResearch1, Panga, Bait Caster and 2 others 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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