Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat How much habitat to build?

I recently completed building a 1.5 acre pond and a .5 crappie pond. I wanted to create some hiding places for the smaller fish. I decided on buying 8x8x16" cinder blocks and creating small condos out of them, each utilizing about 6 blocks two layers high.

In the crappie pond, I built just one structure and placed it in the deepest part, as I was told not to provide much structure in that pond as I will need as many small crappie to be eaten as possible.

In the larger pond, I built six condos evenly spaced around the pond and at a few different depths. Is this too many, not enough or sufficient? Any advise would be appreciated.

What is the goal for the structure ? Can you post a pic ?

See the structure archive

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92463#Post92463

ewest, thanks for the links. I'll have to do some research on how to post pictures on this forum, but in the meantime I'll try to answer your question.

I thought that the purpose of building these cinder block condos was to provide an escape for the smaller fish to allow them to mature and reproduce, thus provide more forage for the larger predators. Secondly, I thought that it would provide reliable locations to congregate fish in for fishing purposes.

My condos are nothing more than two-holed cinder blocks four blocks wide and two layers high. After looking at the link you provided, I'm thinking of stacking them several blocks taller to allow for changes in water depth. My question really was, "How many of these structures should I have in a 1.5 acre pond, if any at all?"

R. Horn

Welcome,

Thought I would show you this picture. I just created this about a month or so ago. It works quite well too. The minnows love it and I always seem to catch a fish or 2 around it. I am going to add a few more blocks when I have time. It's basically cinder blocks with a rock pile in front of it. Just thought I would share.

Looks like SMB heaven! Nice water quality - wow!

If I may make a suggestion, put those stacks of 2 blocks in groups of three, in triangles about 4" apart. Creates many more gaps, nooks and crannies for fish to hide. I might even drop a few large pond rocks inside the triangles.

As far as how much habitat? You would have a difficult time building too much. But various types and various depths adds a lot of variety for the fish to choose from. Shallower depths closer to the shore is usually better for me.

Hey TJ thanks, my water is pretty nice. Just need to lime still. It's a little soft and my Total ALK is a little low.

Hey Frog that sounds like a good idea I am not done in that area yet so I will try what you suggested with my next batch of blocks.

Thanks,

About how deep do you have these set?
Do the minnows spawn in them?
How do you keep the smaller bass and hbg out of the buffet?

I need to put stuff like this and other structures for my fat heads in all 3 ponds we have and need some help determining what would work best for the FHM to live in and spawn.

Thanks

MRHELLO,

I have my cinder blocks at about 2 to 3 feet deep and my tires in the 3 foot range. I have a lot of reeds from the shore to about 7 feet out on my pond though so that makes for good hiding spots for those little FHM's also. You can also put 8 to 10 inch rocks around the shore in about 5 to 8 inches of water they would love that as well. Your NOT going to get all of them to be safe from being eating that's just the way it is, but you can do enough to give some of them a good chance at making it and spawning. A lot of guys will use wooden pallets in the shore and hold them down with cinder blocks. Larger bass cant get inside the pallets so the minnows will be fairly safe at least from the bigger fish. Just remember I have FHM's swiming in 2 inches of water as I have very shallow banks so that also helps me out as the bigger fish can't get up in there very easy. If you have shallow banks like myself than the rocks around the shoreline work pretty good. If your bank drops off pretty quick I would suggest putting your habitat as shallow as you can. I find it's kind of nice to have some shallow areas in your pond so your minnows have a fighting chance to survive and spawn at least in one area of your pond. If you don't have shallow areas another good thing to use is a couple of tree tops that are very bushy and have a lot of branches that way they can hide in them as well. Tie 3 or 4 bushes together about 4 foot in length and put a brick on it in about 2 feet of water. I bet they would love that also. Once again remember I am not a expert in habitat just giving you suggestions that have worked for me so far.

Good Luck,

What is the best way to get tires to sink and how did arrange them?

Should the cinder blocks all be in one area or should they be put all the way arond the pond?