Good leech predator

Fish On · 03-06-2008, 03:28 PM

I was talking to a accquaintence who informed me he had a pond on his place. He does not fish so had no idea if there were any fish in this pond. He uses it for swimming and thats it. (I don't understand that but whatever) He said that in the last couple of years leeches have been showing up. Assuming no fish are present what would be an effective predator to reduce the number of leeches? The standard catfish/bass/gill combo? Anything that "specializes" in leeches? What kind of quantity of fish? The pond is approx 1 acre with a max depth of 14'.

I let him know that I would be more than happy to do some sampling to see if any fish are present.

Thoughts?

LundLover · 03-06-2008, 03:40 PM

Walleye eat leeches. They love them.

**Chad** · 03-06-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish On

I let him know that I would be more than happy to do some sampling to see if any fish are present.

Thoughts?

Not sure on the leeches...

From Wikipedia
"The most important predators of leeches are fish, aquatic insects, crayfish and other leeches specialized for predation on leeches."

**Catfishsteve** · 03-06-2008, 03:56 PM

If the leeches are doing well, there almost certainly fish present.

Brian · 03-12-2008, 09:56 PM

Found this on another DNR website:

"Not all leeches feed on blood. Some eat only plants or other organic materials. Treatment with copper sulfate can eliminate leeches from a pond. For ponds with moderately hard water, a concentration of 5 ppm copper sulfate is usually enough to kill the leeches. Because leeches swim, the entire waterbody must be treated be effective. Because copper sulfate also kills algae, treatment of ponds containing a large amount of algae can cause a fish kill due to oxygen depletion after decomposition of the plants."

Chasin 'eyes · 03-13-2008, 06:58 AM

Gills!

dlwilson · 03-14-2008, 07:28 PM

I've used leeches for bait pretty much my entire life and have caught just about everything on them. Walleyes and perch love em and I've caught many gills and bass on them. A jig and leech combo is one of my favorite bass baits, especially for smallmouth.

**Chad** · 03-18-2008, 04:28 PM

Comments from Jeff Blaser, Private Waters Specialist, NGPC...

Quote:

Hi Chad,
Ryan does need to either fish the pond himself or find someone who can. Someone needs to determine what fish species are present, relative numbers present, and the various sizes of the fish if some are present. Usually, a well established fishery consisting of bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish will effectively control/utilize leeches. However, they will not completely eliminate them. I do not know of any particular fish species that "specializes" on consuming just leeches. In order to know what to stock and what size the stocked fish should be, will depend on what fish are already present. Have him call me at 471-5435 about stocking once the pond has been sampled effectively.

03-06-2008, 03:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fish On 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: next to the trolling rod Posts: 1,075 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Good leech predator I was talking to a accquaintence who informed me he had a pond on his place. He does not fish so had no idea if there were any fish in this pond. He uses it for swimming and thats it. (I don't understand that but whatever) He said that in the last couple of years leeches have been showing up. Assuming no fish are present what would be an effective predator to reduce the number of leeches? The standard catfish/bass/gill combo? Anything that "specializes" in leeches? What kind of quantity of fish? The pond is approx 1 acre with a max depth of 14'. I let him know that I would be more than happy to do some sampling to see if any fish are present. Thoughts? __________________ When you have the option, please buy American made. If it does not save your job, it might save mine.

03-06-2008, 03:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
LundLover Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 3,872 Thanks: 32 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts	Walleye eat leeches. They love them. __________________ I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions. - Augusten Burroughs

03-12-2008, 09:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Brian Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 178 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Found this on another DNR website: "Not all leeches feed on blood. Some eat only plants or other organic materials. Treatment with copper sulfate can eliminate leeches from a pond. For ponds with moderately hard water, a concentration of 5 ppm copper sulfate is usually enough to kill the leeches. Because leeches swim, the entire waterbody must be treated be effective. Because copper sulfate also kills algae, treatment of ponds containing a large amount of algae can cause a fish kill due to oxygen depletion after decomposition of the plants." __________________

03-13-2008, 06:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chasin 'eyes Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cortland Posts: 273 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gills! __________________ "Life's too short to drink cheap beer"

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03-06-2008, 03:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Catfishsteve Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plattsmouth, NE Posts: 6,841 Thanks: 21 Thanked 113 Times in 35 Posts	If the leeches are doing well, there almost certainly fish present.

03-14-2008, 07:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
dlwilson Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ralston, Ne Posts: 193 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I've used leeches for bait pretty much my entire life and have caught just about everything on them. Walleyes and perch love em and I've caught many gills and bass on them. A jig and leech combo is one of my favorite bass baits, especially for smallmouth.