Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations minimum pond size

I am looking at buiding a small pond on my property. Originally it was just going to be to have a watering hole for the wildlife but I am getting carried away. Now I am thinking I would like to put fish in it. Now to my question. I mean I know you can keep a fish or two in a 5 gallon aquarium but with is the minimum practical size for a pond to hold some catfish for me, the wife and kid to fish in on occasion. Basically I am curious about what would be the minimum square footage and depth required to sustain enough fish so that a family of three could fish on occasion.

That's not a very common question on this forum. Usually the question is along the lines of, how big can I make it.

If you've had a chance to read the post(s) on what people would do differently to their ponds if they had it to do over again, you'd see a reoccurring comment. People always wish their pond was bigger. I suppose it's like your house size. It works fine until you have kids, your friends begin moving up, or you start making more money. All the sudden you want a mansion.

But, to answer your question, I'd suggest this: Go out to an open area and take your fishing pole. Tie a weight to the end of the line and cast it as far as you can. Measure the length of the cast and add a couple yards. Whalla, you've got your small pond size.

You never want to be able to cast all the way across the widest part of your pond. That's like putting a hot tub in your back yard and trying convince your friends it's a swimming pool.

Mine is about .4 acres and we catch cats bass and bg. The biggest cats are about 8 pounds. You can go to my homepage and see construction photos.

Bob

Depth could be dependent on your location and the runoff area you are draining.

Regarding location, in an arid area you need to worry about droughts. In cold climates, you need to think about ice caps and possible aeration concerns. I'm in North Central Texas. Rainfall has been very sparce this year. Mine is about three ft. low already and by August I'll be worried a usual. Heck, sometimes they dry up around me. I wish I had a greater runoff area for the rare good rains.

On the other hand, one of my neighbors lost his dam last year in a big rain. It just couldn't handle the runoff.

Maybe others can chime in regarding ice. I rarely see it.

I am in the texas panhandle. It is flat as a pancake here. No runoof to catch on my property. Will just be digging a hole, sealing it, and pumping it full with irrigation water from the neighbors well. Will use the neighbors well to initially fill it up, and then use my domestic well and rain to keep it full. I don't want to go to big because of cost, and worries about being able to keep it full with my small well.