Purchased a property in Nov with an existing 3 acre pond on it. It was built in 1963 and was originally about 18 feet deep. It's now about 13 at it's deepest (a lot of silting). It's well stocked with bluegill, crappie, bass and some catfish. It's about 1/2 surrounded by trees, so gets a lot of fall forage in it. It's also spring fed in at least 3 places, so has very good water flow through it. There is about a one to two foot layer of muck at the bottom.

First part of the spring I struggled with algae blooms. I used a combination of 6oz Argos and 6oz Diquat / gal. I sprayed the blooms directly. This killed the algae blooms. I then used pond bacteria to return good bacteria to the pond and try to reduce the muck. The pond was clear for a couple months.

It's now about 1/3 covered in duck weed and it is quickly overtaking the pond. I don't want to have to spay it and am looking for some form of treatment to kill it.

I know I have a nutrient problem, but am unable to clear trees or eliminate leaves from entering. I also don't have any electricity near the pond for aeration, so that's currently not an option.

I need some general advise on managing the vegetation on the pond. Immediately, I need to get rid of the duck weed.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Mark

Hit the duckweed with Diquat and Cutrine plus again.

If they have too many natural places to sun themselves the trap may not look as safe to them as the places they are used to using. Can you reduce any natural sunning places by removing logs, etc.?

If they are used to feed, throw some floating feed in the middle of the trap. I have turtles regularly push my minnow traps around trying to get at the feed.

Can u add tilapia in your state? They eat a lot of muck thus reducing the load

Thanks Bing, I'm going to give it a try. 3 acres is a lot to spray though. I was hoping there was a safe chemical to use - granular or pour in. I've read about Diuron 80DF and don't want to use that.