Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment Plants and structure in a lined pond

After test holes proved we can't put the two acre "natural" pond in that we wanted, we decided to settle on a 1/2 acre lined one. Digging to start in a couple of weeks in N.Central Ohio. I plan on putting in a couple of habitat/spawning shelfs ranging in depth from 3' to 5 1/2'. The rest of the pond will range from 7' to 13'. I will be putting in various forms of structure on these shelfs and any suggestions on this is welcome but my real question is can I have any type of vegitation in this shallow area that will do well in sand and won't sread too quickly. The shelves will be "lined" with 3-4" of sand to protect the liner so I can put rock/block structure and wood/pallets structure. This will not be your basic LMB-bluegill pond. I plan on having HSB,YP, and Crappie as my main fish with a very agressive feeding and management regimen. My goal is to have a constant supply of large agressive fish available for kids to catch. Thanks in advance for your advise Jeff

You could also put plants in buckets on the bottom. That method is often advised as a way to have water lilies and keep them from spreading; it should work for some other types of rooted submerged plants as well.

Welcome to the forum Jeff...

Take a look at the archives section. It is loaded with great information on anything the structure you seek information on to the problems with crappies in small ponds.

If you're looking for fish that get large and can keep the kids entertained in a half acre pond, I'd highly recommend a combination of HSB, CC and HBG. Use one or two feeders to keep them fed and you'll have a great fishery for kids.

Welcome Jeff, If you're in N.Central Ohio...You've got a lot of neighbors on here!!!

Hello Jeff and welcome to Pond Boss.

You are obviously a person of superior intellect and dashing good looks.

We're glad you found us and thanks for joining in.

There's one for every first name.

Man, I'm just not on my game lately.

You're too busy making good posts JHAP. You can't do both at the same time...

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I'm not really new to the site since I've been a lurker for about 4 years but as I said we finally decided to go ahead and take the plunge. On that note, CJ I have read almost all the "warnings" about crappie but the way I have it figured with them being the only self propogating species in the pond(I doubt the YP will have muc success), between the HSB and my family we should be able to keep them under control. Jeff, I don't know how you can be so perceptive just by reading my first post but my hats off to you! Theo, the container thing is a great idea and is exactly what I am going to do except instead of buckets I think I will use something larger like feed troughs or kids plastic swimming pools. One question, what is the proper soil/sand mixture for these aquatic plant? Thanks again and I'm sure I'll have more questions as the pond fills up. Jeff

Jeff, please keep us up to date on your progress with the HSB/YP/BC combination... I think you will be the first I know of to try this combination. With the right management, you just might be able to produce some great fishing. I love when someone goes out on a limb and gives something new a try! Please post photos if you get the chance as well...

The soil/sand mixtures depends on the species of aquatic plants you are planting... Did you have a certain species(s) in mind?