August 2012
Pond Management for Livestock and Recreation A properly managed pond can provide an excellent source of water for livestock or irrigation, an attraction for wildlife, aesthetic beauty and recreation in the forms of swimming, boating or fishing. How this pond is managed will be determined by the goals you are trying to achieve. Construction Management of an existing pond can be a chore. However, if you have the luxury of building a new pond, how it is constructed can play a key role in the amount of future management that will be required. A poorly constructed pond is always likely to have problems and be difficult to manage. Ponds with shallow areas are prone to have problems with excessive weed growth. Other problems include ponds that leak due to being constructed in the wrong soil types to ponds that remain low because they were constructed in areas with inadequate water sheds. To help alleviate these types of problems, landowners should consult with their local Natural Resources Conservation Service for help prior to pond construction. Stocking What species of fish to stock in a pond will vary according to the size of the pond, the goals of the landowner and the amount of resources that the landowner wants to commit to the operation. It is generally suggested that only catfish be stocked in a pond less than one acre although other species can thrive in an area this size. Many landowners have larger ponds and like to stock other types of sport fish like bass. In this case, a combination of bass and bluegill should be stocked. The bluegills provide a source of food for the bass. This combination will usually provide an excellent fishing
opportunity for both species. In addition, catfish can be added to this combination if desired. Stocking rates will vary depending upon your location in the state and according to the conditions of the pond and the long term goals of the landowner. Fertilization Proper fertilization of your pond helps to increase the amount of food available to the fish and can easily double the total pounds of fish produced. Pond fertilization generally begins in March or April when the water temperatures reach 65째F and continues thru June. Landowners can use an inorganic fertilizer in a granular formulation such as a 20-20-5 or 1620-0 at the rate of 100 lbs./surface acre followed by two applications at the reduced rate of 35-50 lbs./surface acre. This should be done at one month intervals. Liquid fertilizers can also be used. The suggested formulations are a 10-34-0 or a 11-37-0 at the rate of one gallon per surface acre. Remember that fertilization should be continued annually. Liming You should check the alkalinity of your pond prior to stocking fish, especially in East Texas. Applying agricultural limestone is necessary in ponds where the pH is below 6.5 and total alkalinity is below 20 ppm. Waters that fall into this range limit the growth and reproduction of fish. Also, ponds that fall into this category do not respond well to fertilization. You can find out the correct formulation and amount of lime to apply by taking a mud sample and having it analyzed. Liming is generally applied between the months of November and January. Weed Control Aquatic vegetation or weeds are common in most ponds. This vegetation can be both positive and negative when it comes to pond management. It provides habitat for small aquatic animals and a place for small fish to hide from larger fish that prey upon them. While this is positive, it can also be negative if the vegetative growth is not controlled. Too many weeds allow ponds to become overpopulated. This excessive growth also robs nutrients from the pond. Three different methods can be used to control aquatic vegetation. These methods are biological, mechanical and chemical. Depending upon the situation, one or a combination of these methods may be used. Remember to always read chemical labels prior to application, and follow recommended rates and methods of application.
Biological Control FILAMENTOUS AND PLANKTONIC ALGAE Tilapia SUBMERSED WEEDS INCLUDING CHARA Triploid Grass Carp DUCKWEED, WATERFERN AND WATERMEAL Triploid Grass Carp SHORELINE WEEDS AND BRUSH Goats
Mechanical Control FILAMENTOUS AND PLANKTONIC ALGAE Deepen pond and follow recommended fertilization program. SUBMERSED WEEDS Deepen pond and follow recommended fertilization program. FLOATING WEEDS Manually remove weeds. SHORELINE WEEDS Use mowing or hand pulling.
Chemical Control * ALGAE Cooper sulfate (Bluestone) Cooper complexes Hydrothol
DUCK WEED Fluridone (Sonar) Diquat Glyphosate (Rodeo)
CHARA Cooper sulfate (Bluestone) Cooper complexes Hydrothol
WATERLILY Glyphosate (Rodeo) Diquat
COONTAIL Aquathol Fluridone (Sonar) HYDRILLA Aquathol Fluridone (Sonar) BUSHY POND WEED (Southern Naiad) Aquathol Fluridone (Sonar)
WATERPRIMROSE Glyphosate (Rodeo) Diquat CATTAILS Glyphosate (Rodeo) Diquat Roundup SHORELINE WEED (Rushes, arrowhead and others) Glyphosate (Rodeo) Diquat Roundup
*Various chemicals have been approved to control aquatic weeds. Remember to always read chemical labels prior to application and follow recommended rates and methods of application. Check with your local county Extension agent or Extension Fisheries Specialist for the latest recommendations and suggestions.
For more information contact: Nelson Daniels, PhD Program Specialist ndaniels@ag.tamu.edu Phone: 936.261.5112 Fax: 936.261.5143
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