HEARNS POND
| Hearns Pond 53.4 acres Seaford Following installation of a new water control structure in 2002, the pond was restocked to provide a variety of fishes. Most of the gamefish stocked into the pond came from the Nanticoke River and other Nanticoke watershed impoundments in an effort to duplicate the gene pool of the original populations. Largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, redear sunfish, and golden shiners were originally stocked to supplement the few fish remaining following the washout. Catches of largemouth bass were back within normal ranges by summer 2008 with a wide range of sizes. A healthy 2007 year class of bass should provide excellent fishing within a few years. In 2008, bass between 8 and 15 inches were most abundant. About 1,100 additional bluegill (5 inch average size) and 50 pounds of golden shiner were stocked in 2004 to supplement those populations in the Pond. Catches of bluegill were extremely high by 2008 but most individuals remain small. Black crappie numbers have also improved with a high proportion of fish being larger than 8 inches. Redear sunfish were collected in low numbers but abundance has improved over past years and most individuals were over 8 inches. Monitoring of the recovery of the fish populations is continuing. Both creek chubsucker and brown bullhead, although not stocked, were also present in moderate numbers. VEGETATION Duckweed has been a common sight over much of the pond surface in recent years, blowing around the pond with the wind. Several spatterdock beds provide some cover, especially in the back half of the ponds (both arms). Often filamentous algal mats float on the water’s surface and can impede fishing at times. SPECIAL CONDITIONS The boat ramp was replaced and angled toward deeper water during the reconstruction of the dam. This has made a big improvement in boat access into the pond. A local bass club, Backlash Bass Anglers, constructed and installed a number of fish habitat units when the pond water level was down prior to reconstruction of the dam. This has greatly enhanced fish habitat within the pond. A special largemouth bass slot limit remains in effect here: six bass a day possession limit, of which no more than one may be greater than 18 inches. Any bass caught between the protected slot limit of 15 and 18 inches must be immediately released by the angler. |
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