Forums36
Topics40,947
Posts557,814
Members18,485
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
0 members (),
933
guests, and
258
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3
Fingerling
|
OP
Fingerling
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3 |
I have a 2 1/2 acre pond that has been around for 20 years. The depth averages 6 feet and it is fed by rain runoff and a small underground spring. We have bass, catfish and crappie. They are plentiful, of good size, in good condition and replenish themselves. We added a few catfish 3 years ago because we wanted to increase the population. We also raise about 250 catfish each year in cages. We have never done anything to the pond.
I see all of these forum topics, etc. and I wonder why my pond does so well without any intervention?
I hope by saying this I do not bring on a hex.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5 |
Hello Vachetterus and welcome back to Pond Boss. Where ya been for the past three years?
The experts will give you the correct answer I'm sure. Your situation is very similar to mine other than pond depth and age (my pond is 17feet deep and about 60 years old). My guess has always been that the spring introduces enough new water and causes enough water movement to keep things aerated. At least that it the theory on my pond. I look forward to the expert opinions.
Glad to have you back.
JHAP ~~~~~~~~~~ "My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." ...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3
Fingerling
|
OP
Fingerling
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3 |
No problems but I have been monitoring the site. I just let well enough alone.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,051 Likes: 277 |
Why no problems? Heck, I don't know.
However, I expect that your 3 species of fish are chowing down on their offspring. Without a "normal" forage base (Bluegill, shiners, etc.) they are somehow staying in balance. However, it is impossible to tell whether several years classes are missing without some serious record keeping or electrofishing survey.
Hope your luck holds.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,741 Likes: 293
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,741 Likes: 293 |
I think that ponds sometimes find a natural balance and things stay great. I know now, in hindsight, that my pond had achieved that goal when I had purchased it a little over ten years back.
After I found this website, I really started to mess with Mother Nature's balance.
Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:" "She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|