Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations What's going on down there?

Hey all I was wondering if anyone here uses a snorkel approach for checking fish populations and if so does it work pretty good? Keeping in mind I can see a pretty good ways in my clear water. I figure visabiltiy will have a lot to do with this.

Thanks,

You been talking to TJ again?

Who?

That guy's so busy, I rarely ever get to chat with him anymore. Supposed to hook up soon for some ice fishing though.

My pond is only 8 or 9 feet deep so I think I would snorkel and save a lot of money! Put some fins on go. I was just wondering if anyone has done it and if so was it worth the trouble? Or should I put a waterproof video camera on a rod and troll around with my boat and just take random video and see what I can see.

Thanks,

Why do you ask? You're going to do it anyway. You just know you are.

Hey double D your right! I am going to try it. Just not sure if my water is safe as far as parasites go and all of that???? You hear of people going swiming and getting some weird parasite inside of them and this pond of mine has been here a long time!!! No telling what might try and attact me!!!

I've used snorkel gear at my pond. IMHO the main improvement is from the use of a mask because then you can surface dive and get better visibility. That being said I don't think it will help that much to assess fish populations. Fish move very fast and randomly.

We swim in our pond ever year and our pond has been there for almost 70 years and we've never had any parasite issues.

I use an underwater camwera for ice fishing and if the water is clear, its cool as heck!! if you only have say 18" of visability, unless your on a tree or brushpile, youll spend a lot of time wondering where all the fish are.... if you get one, make sure you get one with a built in compass so you know what direction you are looking in, I have to spin my cable around and I never really know which direction structure I see is in...gets frustrating. I used my camera just last weekend on Summit Lake state park in Eastern Indiana and it is spring fed and with my camera could probably see 25 feet in all direction, ( no fish of course, ) but was totally cool!!

Look at Reeds sports.com for the Aqua view and what i use is the 5" Fish cam, cheap and works fine, its B/W but you can upgrade to bigger screens and color if needed.

Salmonid

I bought one at harbor freight and it works great. It was $100 so fairly cheap. I use it in the big lake behind my property too it has a 65' cord.

I think most of the animal parasites left Cal. long ago, there was no entitlement program for them.

I did notice a Leech in my pond once, but we have programs for Leeches in N.Y.

Hey thanks everyone!!! I may just do the camera thing first!