Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat new pond habitat

We have just finished a pond about three days ago that does not have water yet. Would it be a good idea to haul in some 1"-2" whiterock to slide down the side of one of the banks?

I plan to also put some cedars in 2 or 3 places alond with a large bois-d-arc stump along with placing some old concrete blocks in places. I may also build a couple of the pvc christmas trees I have seen on this site. It is about a 3/4 acre pond in NE Texas that will be about 10' deep.

Bump for you, C45.

Need a bit more info-

What are you planning on stocking in the pond? Goals for pond? What are you thinking to accomplish with the whiterock? Sounds like good SMB spawning substrate, but I'm not sure you'll need it for LMB or BG.....

I am planning on BG and LMB. I thought the rock would be a good spawning place as well as and area that small bait could hide when desired. It may not be necessary but thought it might help.

Chris - welcome aboard amigo - you found the right place for your pondy questions.

I'm a SMB guy, not LMB - someone can come here soon to guide you more aptly, but I still like your ideas regarding the addition of rock. However, bear in mind 1-2" rock is pretty small and might be easily silted over or lend itself to less of a role than you intended if completely submerged by vegetation. If you have it on hand, by all means, I'd use it up! Yet, maybe it would serve better as base for larger rock? I like the thought of using larger limestone - say 6, 12, up to 24" in order to create habitat for crayfish, minnows, your LMB and BG fry, etc. If you create a few piles and fields they will be fishing hotspots for jig/pig and crankbaits.

Limestone is cheap around here [$20/T]and readily available in all sizes, but it's also a natural geological formation in these parts....you may have something cheaper and more abundant in your geo - any rock will do as it will likely outlive the life of the pond.

Do you have any pics? We love new pics from new pond owners! Tell us more!

I had a 0.2 acre pond dug on our property a year ago. I read all about fish habitat in advance so I saved up materials to be used during the previous year. I ended up adding 3 habitats to the bottom of my pond following the dig and before it filled with water.

Brush pile: I built a wooden frame to hold it in place and weighed it down with concrete blocks and large boulders. Then I ran branches through it from every direction until I couldn't find spaces for more. Everything had to fit tightly so it wouldn't float before becoming waterlogged. The structure is about 6 feet tall and sticks out of the water a couple of feet so insects will land on the branches and some fall in. It appears to be used by everything in the pond except possibly the channel catfish(LM bass, bluegills, painted turtles, and minnows).

Rock Substrate: I didn't know exactly what the water depth would be so I placed a rock substrate (approx. 10 ft. x 15 ft. and one rock layer deep) so it would lie in water from about 1-4 feet deep. The rock sizes and shapes were extremely variable on purpose, from gravel size to 14" softball size. This substrate is mostly for aquatic insect habitat and for very young fish to hide amongst. To date, it appears that fish have moved some of the rocks around in order to make a circular depression for spawning purposes.

Stack of pallets: We had our house vinyl sided so I kept the very large, very strong pallets. I set them on concrete blocks, stacked 5 deep, and weighted so they wouldn't float away. They are in water about 4-5 feet deep and the top is below the surface 1-3 feet, depending on the pond's water level. I have seen bluegills and bass make use of it. I saw a bullfrog tadpole sitting on one of the boards (3rd pallet down) too.

I don't know where the channel catfish hide because I only see them when I throw fish feed into the pond. However, for spawning sites, short lengths of clay drainage tile, 5-gallon pails, and old milk jugs set on their sides are recommended. Hollow logs too if you have them.

For insects and minnows, you also want summerged as well as emergent plants to attach to or hide amongst. Your pond area should not have more than 20% coverage with vegetation after a few years.

Basicly, any substrate will be beneficial for something but try to keep it natural looking if possible, provide crevices and cover, and don't place it in water that is too deep. Different fish species have different needs so know what fish you want to raise and read about them before adding your structures and substrate. Once in place, it is hard to move or remove.

Chris45 - If you use the 1"-2" rock for spawning areas try to get some of it in fairly flat areas. Fish have a hard time building nests on steeper slopes.

I am considering adding more fish habitat and want to use some lumber. Since I want it to last a long time, I wonder if it is wise (safe for the fish, etc.) to use treated lumber. Would treated lumber leach toxic substances into the water?