1. Managing a Quality Pond Gary Burtle The University of Georgia

3. Successful Pond Management Set your GOAL l Pond design l Stocking Strategy l Proper Nutrients l Fish Growth and Harvest l Successful Fish Reproduction l Management of Competitive Species l Time you can invest in your pond

4. Typical Stocking Strategy For Small Ponds l Bluegill/ Red ear l Largemouth Bass l Channel Catfish

5. Pond Fishery Out of Balance l A Few Large Bluegill l Many Small Largemouth Bass

6. Pond Fishery Out of Balance l Many Small Bluegill l Few Large Largemouth Bass

7. Balanced Pond l Bluegill/ Red ear –All sizes l Largemouth Bass –Young of the year –2 pound plus

8. Pond Management Is A Balancing Act A balanced pond fishery can be established with the initial stocking. Maintaining that balance requires the pond owner to manage the harvest. 100 Bass and 500 - 1,000 Bream per Acre At least 100:400 red ear to bluegill.

9. Red Ear Sunfish

10. Largemouth Bass Survival

11. Largemouth Bass

12. Bream Mortality l At least 30% of the bream do not reach reproductive age after stocking. l However, reproduction may occur several times during the summer l Catch 100 to 150 pounds per acre per year in fertilized ponds

13. Bluegill Sunfish in Good Condition

14. Managing Largemouth Bass for Good Fishing l Do not harvest bass for two years after initial stocking (spawn at 10 in) l Minimum size limit of 14 inches l Remove no more than 20 bass per surface acre each year (after the first two years) (25 to 30 pounds/A/yr ) l Be conservative

15. Managing Ponds to Produce Trophy Bass l Stock a fast-growing Bass Strain (Tiger), Largemouth/Florida or Florida Strain l Use relative weight score of bass to determine catch limits (above.9) l Release bass 18 inches and larger l Keep trophy size and bass < 18 inches l Stock Threadfin Shad, 600 per Acre

16. Bass Healthy Weights l Length, in –12 –14 –16 –18 –20 –22 –24 l Weight, oz (lb) –14.4 (0.9) –20.8 (1.5) –35.2 (2.2) –51.2 (3.2) –72 (4.5) –99.2 (6.2) –129.6 (8.1)

17. Stunted Bass

18. Stunted Bass (Relative Weight less than 0.8 (80% of healthy weight) l Cure –Balance fishing and record catch –Add Christmas trees or fish habitat –Control wading birds stock red-ear –Control aquatic weeds l Causes: –Under-fishing for Bass –No structure for Bream –Disease (tapeworm) in Bass –Aquatic weed problem

19. Fish Production and Fertilizing From Boyd and Sowles 1978 (pounds/Acre) FertilizerBassBreamTotal None2894122 Phosphate Only 52208 260 N plus P 53297 350

20. Other Pond Problems l Muddy water l Low Oxygen l Structure absent l Feeding fish l Diseases in fish l Aquatic weeds

21. Common Causes Of Muddy Ponds And Their Solutions l Soil erosion l Abundance of common carp and bullheads l Wave action l Livestock l Suspended clay particles l Buffer zone of grass l Eradication : chemical or drain pond l Riprap or vegetation l Fencing l Liming, Hay, Gypsum

22. Fish Kills Due to Low Oxygen l Cloudy weather for several days l Rapid plant die-offs resulting from: – Change in algal species – Intense sunlight – High winds – Presence of herbicide

23. Oxygen Management l Keep pond full l Plan to aerate the pond –(3/4 to 1 HP aerator as a sanctuary) l Pumps, aerators, stirrers, fountains, air blowers, diffusers

24. Feeding Fish l Not recommended for most pond owners - not needed in a balanced system l Not a solution for undersized fish l Best to feed if catfish are stocked

25. Disease in Pond Fish l Common Diseases – Red Spot –Columnaris or Fin Rot Parasitic worms –Tapeworm –Nematodes –Woolies or Grubs l Possible Cure –Wait for warming –Reduce crowding by fishing more –Control birds or increase red ear sunfish population –Drain and restock

26. Aquatic Weed Control l Stock sterile grass carp in new ponds, 5 per acre l Treat aquatic weed growths early, before large infestations occur l Stock 10 or more grass carp to prevent re-infestation l See county agent for identification and herbicide selection