Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Wetland Construction

Last fall I built six different areas (~8-10 acres full pool, 4-5 acres summer level) that are going to be seasonal wetlands. They are already close to full pool, but will drop as the weather dries out in the coming weeks. They will compliment my 1 acre pond nicely as I already have a dozen mallards and geese hanging around daily. Can't imagine how it's going to be when the vegetation fills in.

My main pond is a YP-SMB-RES mix that is about two years old. I actually haven't caught any fish from it yet, but they are hitting my feeder pretty heavy.

When I was digging the wetlands, I made a couple of them 7-8' deep or so when they are at full pool. Think there is any opportunity to stock some fish in them?

When I started, I had a bean stubble field...









I don't have a full pool shot of this one, but it is almost to the road elevation along the woods.

I think you can stock them, but perhaps have periodic fish kills. Mine are never complete. Before stocking, consider that fish-free wetlands are better for amphibians. Mine were stocked by floodwater. I have one that never has had fish, and the frogs and toads love it.

Absolutely. I am assuming that your weather patterns are not a whole lot different than mine. I don't think I've ever gone into ice-over less than full pool. During the late summer and early fall is when I expect you will be at your lowest, and it sounds like you will still have several feet of water. I'd say that if you still have 3-4 feet of water in what is 40-50% of your full pool size, your fish should be OK.

Maybe some of our Texas friends will step in. A lot of them have been through this scenario a quite a few times in recent years.