LAKES, MANAGEMENT TAKE CENTER STAGE Ranch owners have spent more time at their properties this year than any other. And often, they need some help. “There has been a significant renewed interest,” said Lochow Ranch Pond & Lake Management owner John Jones. “I’ve seen more property utilization this year than in any of the last 17 years.” Lochow Ranch both builds and manages lakes and ponds, and Jones said construction of new lakes is at an all-time high. “There has been a lot of lake building for the purpose of livestock watering with the associated benefits of increased property value and opportunities,” he said. “We’re building more new ones than ever. There has been an urban rush into rural areas. People are working from their ranches or using them as getaways with extended family.” What about the fish in your lakes or ponds? “Having a sound monitoring program is essential for maintaining self-sustaining fisheries,” Jones said. “Each lake on your property is an individual entity, only all of your animals are hidden from sight.” The program deals with familiar problems, including drought, heavy rains and mitigation of predator impacts. “We’ll talk about how to establish fundamental management practices (feeding/fertilizer programs, habitat improvement, bass harvest, vegetation control) and how having a firm foundation can help your lake thrive through seasonal disturbances (flood, drought, predators),” Jones said. The recent pandemic has had a positive side effect
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when it comes to rural properties. “So many of our clients say they are doing what they do for their kids and grandkids,” Jones said. “This year, they actually used the ranch and lakes with them, and it was even better than what they imagined.” Like many folks with rural land, Jones spent a good portion of the year based out of his ranch with his family. “It was the best six months of my life,” he said. “Spending real country time with my wife and four young kids is nothing short of a win.” The past year has created some new dynamics in ranch ownership. “We’ve seen an increased focus on year-round amenities at the ranch,” Jones said. “Fishing pressure is up ten-fold. Docks are a popular new feature for families who want to spend time fishing, swimming and entertaining by the lake. And we’re seeing an influx of first-time ranch owners who want help with everything from lakes to deer feeders and hunting blinds.” Lochow Ranch’s biologists and fleet of trucks are based in Bryan, Texas, from where they manage more than 6,000 lakes in Texas and its surrounding states. Lochow Ranch also has a monthly retainer program where fisheries biologists visit the property monthly, closely monitoring your lakes and addressing potential problems. In all of the company’s services, the goals and preferences of the landowner are paramount in creating a personalized ranch for the whole family to enjoy.
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