Pond Maintenance

Fish Stocked

Largemouth Bass

Tiger Bass

Northern Bass

Pond Maintenance

Electrofishing

Electrofishing Survey An Electrofishing Assessment involves the use of a specially designed and equipped electrofishing boat that allows our biologists to obtain a representative sample of the fish population in a pond or lake. The fish are stunned by an electrical current and are captured with a dip net and placed in a live well. The fish are measured and weighed, and then returned to the pond unharmed. This process allows us to evaluate the status of the fish population in order to make management recommendations for the lake or pond. From the data collected during electrofishing, we can determine what species of fish are present in the water body, as well as the relative abundance of each size group of bass and bluegill. We can also determine the condition (fat or skinny) of the game fish in each size group.

Aquatic Vegetation

Aquatic Vegetation Control

Aquatic vegetation, both native and exotic, can become a nuisance if not properly managed. This is especially true in fertile ponds where there are plenty of nutrients available for plant growth. Excessive vegetation can hinder fishing, swimming, and boating activities. In some cases the easiest and most effective control can be achieved by stocking Grass Carp into your pond. In situations where biological and mechanical controls of vegetation are not effective or possible, herbicide treatments can produce the desired results. The use of approved herbicides for the control of unwanted vegetation is safe when handled and applied properly.

Pond Fertilizing

Fertilizing a pond may increase the productivity of the pond by as much as 400%. When fertilizing, the goal is to produce an "algae bloom", which usually turns the water a green color. This algae bloom is actually billions of microscopic algae cells that act as the base of the food chain in your pond. By increasing the amount of food in the base of the food chain, you will increase the amount of food available to all sizes of fish.

Begin fertilizing when the water temperature approaches 60 degrees (normally in late February or early March in the southern U.S.). Make the first application at twice the recommended rate, to stimulate the bloom. After the first application, fertilize once every two weeks at the normal recommended rate until the bloom becomes established. Once the bloom is established, you will fertilize as needed based on the water visibility.

Aeration

Surface Aeration

Power House aerators are surface floating units designed to provide daily and/or emergency aeration in ponds. Power House produces models available from 1/20 hp up to 3 hp models. These sturdy units come with the motor, float, and mooring lines, and are available with either 50 or 100 foot cord. They come ready to aerate the water with a vertical stream of water. They can be equipped with a “flow kit,” which allows the user to mount the motor horizontally to create a flow or directional current in the water. Installing automatic timers with aerators makes operation more convenient. Contact us for more information and pricing.

Supplemental Feeding

A supplemental feeding program can increase the size of your bluegill while also increasing their reproduction. Increased reproduction translates to more food for your bass population. The coppernose bluegill responds very well to supplemental feeding and has the potential to reach 1.5 to 2 pounds in some cases.

In new ponds with recently stocked 1- to 2-inch fingerlings, begin feeding a catfish crumble in the spring at a rate of 1.5 pounds per 1000 fish; feed in the same area at the same time each day. It may take a week for the fish to become trained to take the feed.

Fish Stocking

Stocking your pond properly is essential if you wish to produce a sustainable population of fish for years to come. We offer stocking advice customized to your individual situation. Stocking rates may vary based on several factors including management strategies, pond size, location, water chemistry, time of year, and your management goals. We can help you identify these significant factors and develop a stocking strategy that can help you best achieve your goals.

Seasonal Tips

Threadfin Shad Are Available Now!

Sexually mature threadfin shad are now available from American Sport Fish Hatchery. Our hatchery ponds are full of healthy adult threadfin shad and we will begin our deliveries on June 15.

These shad will spawn several times in your lake this summer. Many years ago, most of the lakes and ponds in the southeast were stocked during the summer using this technique. Most lake managers in East Texas continue to stock threadfin shad during the summer, with good success.

If you are not observing schools of threadfin shad on the surface of your lake in the late afternoon, you need to add them to your lake. If you miss a threadfin shad spawn this year, you may reduce food production for your bass for the next two years.