Turtles

[user 14220]

On our property we have about a one acre lake. Both the wife and I like turtles so we thought about introducing some.
I'll be the first to admit I know nothing about the critters so am looking for advice.
Good idea? Is it legal?
If it is a good idea what type of turtles should be get and how many? Will they hurt the fish population?

 

[in the dog house]

Im no expert......... If you have a lake that has been there very long you already have turtles. They will hurt your fish population if there gets to be to many turtles. Sliders and snappers will find there way to your pond. They can smell water from a long distance and will get in your pond.

 

[user 14220]

Lake was man made by the previous owner and has only been in existence for about 4 years.

 

[KPH]

I would bet money you have turtles now. I would not want someone putting them in a pond I own.

 

[stik]

that's the last thing I would want in my pond/lake.

 

[mike243]

Shoot or snag any that treaspass lol.they dig holes & drain ponds fyi.don't think shooting is legal but they are not something a pond owner wants

 

[user 14220]

Thanks for the info, looks like we will remain turtle free.

 

[Swampster]

Nah - you are not turtle free right now. Just don't know it yet.

 

[Tennessee Lead]

Nah - you are not turtle free right now. Just don't know it yet.

 

[choupique]

Shoot or snag any that treaspass lol.they dig holes & drain ponds fyi.don't think shooting is legal but they are not something a pond owner wants

The only digging they'll do is shallow pits for nesting females, don't blame leaky ponds on turtles. As for eating up all your fish, that's a myth too. Some of the best ponds I've ever fished have had loads of turtles.

 

[rem270]

Shoot or snag any that treaspass lol.they dig holes & drain ponds fyi.don't think shooting is legal but they are not something a pond owner wants

The only digging they'll do is shallow pits for nesting females, don't blame leaky ponds on turtles. As for eating up all your fish, that's a myth too. Some of the best ponds I've ever fished have had loads of turtles.

All ponds have loads of turtles and they eat alot of the fish. It's not a myth. Had a snapper eat a stringer full of crappie one time. Had about 15 on there and had 3 left before i found out he was eating them.

 

[choupique]

Eating fish off a stringer isn't the same as catching free-ranging fish. Unless there's something else dramatically wrong with your pond (lack of spawning habitat) even a few snappers aren't going to hurt the fish population.

 

[catman529]

Just wait, you will see em, I don't think I have seen a pond that didn't have turtles.

 

[in the dog house]

They eat small fish, not so much the bigger ones. This is what hurts the fish population.

 

[Solo Hunter]

Come to my place. You can have all you want!