I have access to a pond but it is in a cow pasture that will be used by cows in the spring every year. Originally I was under the impression that the cows were no longer going to be in the pasture but that is not the case. I have read the Iowa DNR site saying that it is not recommended for the cows having access to the pond. Unfortunately in this case it is my uncles land so I can't really fence off the pond unless I wan't to kill of his cattle

So my main question is; Is stocking the pond a viable option or will it be waste time? any suggestions? I know it is a very general question.

A little back ground info on the pond. 1- 1 1/4 acre estimated. Avg depth 3-5ft deep pt 10 ft

Some of my best ponds growing up where in the middle of a cow pasture that was built to water the cows. They laid in the water in the hot summer. Your biggest problem will be controlling nutrients. You may have excess nutrietns that led to excess algae and possible fish kill. Short of that the pond will be fertilie so it will produce more pounds of fish. Iowa game adn fish may even give you free fingelring fish if you tell them there is no existing population.

Here in south Texas hardly any tank (pond) does not have cattle access. They do great. Like Greg posted, just watch the bloom and control the algae. I personnaly think they improve the ponds.

Thanks for the info, I was a little discouraged after reading the info on the Iowa DNR website. On a down note the DNR won't provide fish unless the pond is fenced away from the cattle. Oh well at least I have something to look forward to in the spring. I just have to avoid the protective mother cows :p

The best farm pond bass fishing that I have ever experienced was on a ranch in west central
Texas that had many cattle present. There was always cattle near the 20 or so ponds on the
3000 acre ranch. The ponds, some of which were
remotely located and barely accessable, were
never managed and rarely fished.

Stock the pond.

I agree stock it and make sure you give the boys some air in the summer