Management
of Farm Fish Ponds in Tennessee
Condensed from UT Agricultural Extension
Service PB-#1231
Thomas K. Hill Professor Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries
Farm fish ponds are a valuable resource. There are presently more than 190,00 farm ponds in Tennessee, with an average size of about one-half acre. Most of them have the potential for fish production, but good fishing in farm ponds does not just happen. It results from careful planning and management right from the start. This information is provided to help pond owners produce the best fishing possible through good management.
The
Pond
The Fish
Fertilization
Fishing
Links to more
information:
state sites
us gov. sites
other sites
The Pond
Choosing the right location for the pond is a
major consideration. Select a pond site with great care because
economy of construction, overall usefulness and future productivity
of the pond depend on its location. A suitable fish pond site
needs:
1. a topography that may be converted
into a pond economically:
2. a subsoil that contains enough clay to hold water; and
3. a water supply that will furnish an adequate but not excessive
amount of water.
If the pond is to be used
for other purposes, such as irrigation or for stock-water, the
location needs special consideration. Most ponds are built with
a number of water uses in mind.
Ponds that furnish water for livestock should be
fenced to limit access only to certain areas. Some ponds
are designed to allow gravity flow of water through a pipe to a
watering trough below the dam. Most farm ponds are dependent on
surface water runoff for a water supply. The type of subsoil
and the steepness of the slope around the pond will affect the amount
of surface runoff, and the type of vegetation on the watershed will
affect the rate of water runoff. Where grassland watersheds are
used, 10 to 15 acres of land surface will furnish enough runoff water
for one surface acre of pond; however 20 to 30 acres are necessary if
the watershed is wooded. If large amounts of runoff water are
expected, a diversion ditch constructed around the pond will avoid
the loss of valuable pond nutrients and help prevent the escape of
fish.
A well designed farm pond will
have two water outlets. For normal water flow, a trickle tube
connected to the drainpipe will handle the surplus water. A
sleeve over the tube, which reaches to about a foot above the pond
bottom, will allow stagnant water to leave and help prevent oxygen
depletion. When floods produce more runoff water than is
required to fill and maintain the pond, an emergency spillway is
required. The spillway must be large enough to adequately
handle the flood water, not only to prevent overtopping the dam, but
also to prevent large numbers of fish from leaving the pond. To
prevent serious losses of fish, spillways should be wide enough so
that water from the heaviest floods will not flow more than 3 to 4
inches deep.
It is unnecessary to build fish ponds in the South to an
average depth of more than 4 to 6 feet. In fact, very
deep ponds are more likely to experience water quality
problems. Since aquatic weed control is difficult and fishing
is poor in shallow water, the shore of the pond should slope as
abruptly as possible to a depth of 3 feet. A deepened edge
coupled with a consistent fertilization program usually prevents weed
problems. Assistance with fish pond planning and management is
available from the Agricultural Extension Service, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. BACK
The Fish
Pond management principles are based on the presence of
only desirable species of fish. Many ponds are unsuited for
management because the source of water is contaminated with
undesirable fish. Upstream migration of such species can be
checked by a 4-foot vertical fall in the emergency spillway. A
concrete apron below the barrier will prevent erosion of the dam.
If wild fish such as Green Sunfish, Golden Shiners, Crappie or
Bullheads, are found in the pond immediately after impoundment, fish
eradication must be accomplished before desirable species are
stocked. A fish toxicant, Rotenone, dispersed throughout the
pond at the rate of 1 gallon of 5% liquid per 3 acre-feet of water or
5 pounds of 5% emulsifiable powder per acre-foot will kill these
intruders. An acre-foot is one surface acre of water one foot
deep. Rotenone treated water is naturally detoxified after 3 to
5 days at water temperatures above 70 deg. F, but takes longer at
cooler temperatures. A sure way to determine if the water is
still toxic is to place a small cage of Bluegill or similar sunfish
in the treated water for about 24 hours. Detailed information
about use of Rotenone can be found in Publication 1103, Farm Pond
Renovation, Agricultural Extension Service, The University of
Tennessee. Desirable species are Largemouth Bass, Bluegill,
Channel Catfish and Redear Sunfish.
In Tennessee and other southeastern states with similar
climates, Largemouth Bass as the predator in combination with
Bluegill and Redear sunfish as forage species have been used
successfully to establish balanced fish populations in farm ponds.
Limited numbers of Channel Catfish (up to 100 per acre) may be
stocked without fear of upsetting the population balance. See
Table 1
The number of fish stocked in a pond is based on the
anticipated supply of fish, and is a function of the pond's
fertility. The decision to fertilize or not must be made before
the fish are ordered. Ponds to be fertilized receive 750-1000
sunfish (70% Bluegill and 30% Redear), 50-100 Channel Catfish
(optional) per surface acre in the Fall. A 100 Largemouth Bass
are added in June of the following year. Unfertilized ponds are
stocked with about half the numbers. An accurate measurement of
the pond acreage is needed when ordering the fish. If the pond
area is overestimated, too many fish will be stocked for the
available food supply. Poor growth of the fish will result and
the proper fish population balance will not be established. BACK
Fertilization
Fish recommended for farm ponds feed mainly on
microscopic water animals (zooplankton), aquatic insects, and small
fish. Most of the small animals use microscopic plants
(phytoplankton) either directly or indirectly for food. These
plants are so small that they cannot be seen unless highly magnified
and usually go unnoticed in the water. In a properly fertilized
pond, plankton grows and multiplies so rapidly the water appears
green or sometimes brown. The dominant type of plankton
determines the color. The capacity of a pond to produce fish is
increased from about 100 lbs. per acre per year when unfertilized to
about 400 pounds when properly fertilized. About one-half in
either case, will reach harvestable size.
Along with increased fish production, there are several other
advantages for fertilizing ponds. Weed control is improved with
a dense growth of microscopic algae in the upper water shading the
pond bottom where rooted vegetation growth begins. Where pond
weeds are absent, Largemouth Bass can seek out and devour the smaller
Bluegill, helping maintain proper fish population balance. If
Bluegill numbers are not continuously reduced, they are unable to
grow to a desirable size. Subsequent overcrowding and poor
fishing results. Additionally, fertilization greatly reduces
mosquito populations because the weeds that harbor mosquito larvae
from the fish are eliminated. See
Table 2
Triploid Chinese Grass Carp are legal by permit in Tennessee and are
useful for biological control of aquatic weeds and algae.
Stocking 10 to 15 Grass Carp per surface acre will control weed
problems in most ponds. Even so, there may be times when
specific herbicides for specific weeds will be required.
A pond fertilization program is started in early spring after
the water temperature reaches 60 deg. F. Research has shown
that fertilizers high in phosphate with some nitrogen get best
results. Ponds in some areas require potash so it is included
in the mixtures. Such fertilizers as 8-8-2 or 20-20-5 can
usually be found at farm supply stores. Apply 100 lbs. of 8-8-2
or 40 lbs. of 20-20-5 per acre per application until proper color
develops. Liquid fertilizers like 10-34-0 and 13-38-0 have been
shown to give good results. Usually, two consecutive
applications of fertilizer at two-week intervals to start and one per
month thereafter through October will establish and maintain a good
plankton bloom.
Water color can be used as an indicator to determine the need
for fertilization. A good test for proper water color is to
submerge a bright object fastened to the end of a stick.
Visibility of the object 18 inches below the surface indicates the
need for fertilizer. If the object disappears at 16-18 inches,
no fertilizer is needed.
The most efficient method of granular fertilizer application
is to place it on a submerged platform 12 to 18 inches under
water. Wind and wave action distributes the nutrients into the
water. The fertilizer required annually is reduced by 20-40%
because a lesser amount becomes tied up in the soil than occurs when
it is distributed on the bottom of the pond from the bank or a
boat. A single platform can supply fertilizer to a pond up to
15 acres in size. Liquid fertilizer, since it is heavier than
water, should be diluted at a 1:10 ratio and scattered on the pond
surface. About 7 quarts of 10-34-0 per application will be
required.
To grow plankton efficiently in a pond, adequate lime must be
maintained. If a satisfactory plankton bloom has not developed
after three fertilizer applications, the pond water hardness should
be checked. Analysis of a pond bottom soil sample will
determine the need for lime. If needed, agricultural lime
should be broadcast over the pond during the winter. BACK
Fishing
The goal of pond management is good fishing. Fish
removal is necessary if fish population balance is to be maintained,
but sensible controlled harvest is very important. Each species
serves a special purpose in a farm pond. Bass 8 to 10 inches
are the key to maintaining the correct fish population balance and
should not be removed. A maximum harvest of 30 to 55 lbs. of
Bass per fertilized acre each year coupled with proper removal of
Sunfish is recommended.
Bluegill and Redear provide most of the harvestable fish from
a farm pond. When fishing is begun in a new pond, the stocked
Sunfish will average about 1/4 lb. Unless they are harvested, a
static population will result. Ponds with the best fishing need
4 to 5 lbs. of Bluegill removed for each pound of Bass. In
fact, a good procedure is to remove every Bluegill that is caught,
since they reproduce quite rapidly.
It is very difficult to have outstanding fishing of both
Bluegill and Bass in the same pond. Slightly crowded Bass
reduce the Bluegill population and more food is available for each
survivor so the Bluegill grow to a larger size. When Bluegill
are crowded, larger Bass may result, but the Bluegill will be smaller
because less food is available per fish. See
Table 3 The harvest of fish needs to be extended
throughout the year. A large harvest, particularly of Bass,
during a short period of time in early summer, can result in
population imbalance. Delay of fish harvest until early June
after Bass have spawned is a very good management practice. The
most favorable situation for maintaining fish population balance
results when fish are harvested regularly and moderately at about the
same rate that they are being produced. Sunfish and Bass in
good condition and variety of sizes taken in the catch are indicators
that the fish population is balanced.
Fish population balance can be determined for certain from
seine samples taken with a 10ft.X4ft. minnow seine during the
summer. An average of two fingerling Bass and recent Bluegill
reproduction indicates the fish population is balanced. No
recent reproduction and many stunted Bluegill indicate an unbalanced
population. Stunted Bluegill typically have thin bodies and
eyes that appear too large for their body size. Pond renovation
is the recommended practice in such instances. See
Table 4
Farm pond management takes both time and money,
but the benefits are rewarding. Nothing is more aesthetically
pleasing than a well managed pond on the landscape. Nothing
provides more excitement and thrill than the pull of a fish on a
line. And just think, Bass and Bluegill are excellent food
fish. How many other enterprises do you have on the farm which
provide as much food and fun? See
Table 5
BACK