Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss What to do to a pond during the winter???

I was wondering what i needed to do to my 3.5 acre pond during the winter months? Anyone with some help would be appreicated!!! Thanks and GOD BLESS

Catch, in what part of AL is the pond, and does it freeze much during the winter? Also, how big?

Hi Catch,welcome to the forum.Hang on,and the experts will be along shortly.Please excuse the delay in response as alot of us are busy getting ready to attend the 3rd annual PondBoss convention.
As far as the pond goes,clean the banks,buy lots of beer,and invite me fishing.(Just kidding)

Howdy, Catch a Big Un.
(BTW, you aren't my great nephew are you? That's his favorite fishing phrase: "Gonna catch a big un.")

Tom G's caveat on Conference prep reducing the number of folks on-line here is correct, and will affect responses even more over the next 8-10 days. So if we don't give really good answers in that time, please re-ask your questions.

What kinds of fish do you have in the pond, and what are your goals for it?

The pond the located in Cullman, Alabama which is in the northern half of the state. It rarely ever freezes up here. It is also three and a half acre's in water. There are bass and coppernose and hybrid blue gill and some hybrid channell catfish with white amor grass carp. I have some F-1 tiger bass in there as well.

When you asked, what do I need to do to my pond during the winter? Are you referring to management practices for the fish, maintenance issues, or something else?

Like with the fish and helping them grow and perform well during the cold while fishing is slow cause of the weather outside till the spring.

I use the winter months to add habitat to the pond. Make fish attractors and set them out so they will have fish on them in the spring. Take this time to do water test and add lime if needed. You could add some trout to your pond in october or november and have something to fish for in the winter. They will die when the water warms in the spring though. Keep in mind that the best time to catch your biggest fish is Jan,Feb. and March. Even though its really slow fishing thats when you catch the big ones on a jig or something. Also the winter time is a great time to remove any trees that are growing on the dam or clearing out around the pond because its not hot. I sure that the others will chime in and give you plenty of ideas.

Thanks for the reply. I have heard about the trout thing. What does it actually do when you put them in the pond. I was wanting to fatten up my fish. I have a rock pile built and three purcipine fish attracters in there as well.

Depending on the size of your bass, adding trout particularly ones small enough to be preyed on by the bass can help fatten your bass up. Those trout that are just a bit too big to be eaten or slip through can grow through the colder months and as already mentioned make for some fun winter and spring fishing until they die with warmer water temps... It may be hard to source trout in Alabama though. If I recall correctly there is only one BOW that holds them year round in Alabama and not too many areas stocked with them but you may be able to source some. Greg Grimes on here is out of GA and may be making a swing through your area and might be able to deliver you some trout if you cannot find a closer source.

How long have the fish been in there? What size range are they in?

Late season tilapia would be far less expensive than trout, but trout are a blast to catch in your own pond on those mild winter days!

I have several big fish well over five pounds and a pretty good bit of them as well. But right now all i seem to be able to catch are the ones that are about two pounds or so. Most of my fish were stocked last year and this year along with some F-1 Tiger bass that were stocked in March of this year.