Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants FA

I have a 1.5 acre pond. The dam busted about 20 years ago. We dug out the pond to remove a lot of the silt that had washed into the pond. About 8 years ago the pond turned over and we restocked the pond the following year. The average depth is 3 feet with the deepest area being about 15 feet. The pond is stocked with bass, redear, bluegil, channel cat.


The watershed was used for farming till about 10 years ago so much of the shallow end has filled back in. I would estimate that .8 acres of the pond is less than 3 feet deep.

The pond is managed for big panfish. I do not feed nor fertilize. I have tried fertilizer in the past and it made my FA problem worst.

I know the pond will need to be dug out again. However the fishing is just starting to get good and I would like to wait a few more years.

As I understand by reading this board my options are dye, chemical, aeriation or bugs or a combination.

I would like to see if anyone has any other suggestions or which option or option you would choose if you were me.

Marler, I have a very similar situation in my half-acre pond. It, too, is quite shallow, probably averaging 2-3 feet over much of it and the deepest area running to a max depth of probably 4-5 feet. The FA gets pretty heavy and I also was fortunate enough to get a watermeal infestation so I'm looking at solutions.

However, it's actually a really great fun-fishing pond with lots of smallish LMB with the occasional nice sized fish pushing close to probably 2 pounds, and lots of nice sized BG that will most likely grow into good fish within another year or so - pushing 10" I hope. So, like you, I don't want to do a whole lot to it as it's been a great place for our kids and us to just have fun, catch plenty of fish, and teach them how to fish with lots of positive reinforcement.

For the FA and watermeal, I'm going with blue tilapia this year from Rainman here on the forum. Lots of research suggests they'll do a pretty good job on getting this stuff under control, plus they have a lot of other benefits, it seems, in providing a forage base for the primary target fish in the pond. I am also probably going to try some of the beneficial bacteria to restart that lowest end of the food chain in the pond and attack the organic muck that I'm guessing is causing my FA issues. Since I haven't done either yet, I have nothing to actually report other than my thinking! I'm sure some folks with first hand experience will be along shortly to give you some real advice!

Don't know how I missed your prior thread. It looks like you are just off the Strong River. Simpson County ? I would suggest you first get your dirt checked (soil survey). You may have low alkalinity and need lime. The FA threads are below. Know the enemy first. It is not just a depth question. All it takes is light penetration (clear water) and nutrients.

See this thread from the archives.

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92633#Post92633

Just north of Smith county in Scott. The pond is actually about 200 yards from the Strong river. We get an occassional gator during the dry summers.

Would I be better off waiting till fall to get a soil test and add lime or the sooner the better?

Soil tests can be done in the spring or fall. Another thing I would consider is the ground use around your pond. You did not mention if it was used for agriculutal purposes or left alone. Sometimes this will also influence your pH levels in the ground.

Your Co-Ext agent can help with the soil test. Do it now so you will have a baseline to work from. Check the alkalinity and add lime as needed.