I just purchased a small farm that has a 5 acre pond on it. According to the records, the pond was built in 1913. It is 22 feet deep at the dam and averages 8 feet deep with approximately 33 acre feet capacity. I would like to plant trout in it and have read that aeration may be useful. There is no electricity in the area but lots of wind. Does anyone have any experience with the windmill aeration? Thanks for any advise! I am new to this thread!

Hi Trickshot. Where are you in Wyoming, and at what elevation? That could influence your potential for a trout pond. If you give me a little more information, I'll try to help.

My brother's ranch is in southeastern Wyoming, at about 6,500 feet. He has several irrigation reservoirs that look like classic bass ponds with the aquatic plant growth around the edges. Those ponds must have tremendous crops of insects, as his trout growth rates are phenomenal.

I don't have much experience with aeration systems (although others on this site do). Do you want to prevent winterkill, or do you have some other reason for wanting to aerate the pond? Again, your elevation could come into play, as I don't know what your summer water temperatures might be.

Dave

Hi Dave! Thanks for the reply! The pond is located in Casper, Wyoming. The elevation is 5150. Summer weather can be from 60's to 100+ with the hottest months being July & August. We usually have 14-20 days over 100 degrees each summer. Please let me know if you need any additional info. Thanks again for you help!
Rick

Hi Rick. So, you're right down in the river valley. That's what worried me in my first response -- pretty darn warm in the summer. My brother's place is west of Wheatland, but he's up near the top of the Laramie range.

My concern over summer aeration was that you might mix any potential warm and cool water layers, and not have a coolwater refuge for the trout in the summer. Once summer water temps get to 70 F or so, you can start to have some summerkill on trout. Both temperature and dissolved oxygen are involved in the likelihood of summerkill.

I think we need some expert advice here. I'll let you decide: either you or I should contact one of the fisheries biologists who work for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department there in Casper. One of my former students is stationed there.

Scott Gangl
Phone: (307) 473-3415
Fax: (none)
Email: scott.gangl@wgf.state.wy.us
Wyoming Game and Fish Dept
3030 Energy Lane, Ste 100
Casper, WY 82604

If you want to e-mail or call him, I think that would be fine. However, it would be my pleasure to make the initial contact for you. Either way, he can tell you if your pond will likely be suitable for trout.

Good luck,
Dave