Regarding water temps with aeration.
I am considering starting bottom diffusing to hopefully help our WE be more comfortable in exchange for likely loosing or fishing the trout out and abandoning the struggle for healthy trout.
Our surface temp is currently 81 and I am currently checking the bottom temps with a peanut butter jar and thermo. Our well water comes in at 55 degrees.
In theory if I start to mix with a diffuser and keep adding the well water would the mix temp become 68 ? ( 81-55 / 2 =13 (81-13 = 68)).
It wouldn't be that simple to calculate. Too many other factors such as flow rate and volume of the pond. It's possible you could come up with an equation but you'd have to be a mathematician like the guy on the series Numbers.
What was the size of your pond again and what is your flow rate of the well? BTW your well water should be colder than 55 F. It all depends on latitude(contrary to popular opinion) and myself being farther south of you mine's about 52-53 F. Yours should be similar or a little cooler. Going north to upper Michigan it's in the upper 40's believe it or not for ground water temps. Perhaps your thermometer is slightly off, which is not unusual. I use a very expensive meter which should be spot on.
I have read that 30-60 is ideal for WE but I question if the lower level currently is devoid or very low of DO then it probably isn't being utilized by the fish anyway( very rarely mark fish in the deep water with the fish finder) therefore maybe the 68 degree oxygenated water would be healthier than a 55-60 with low DO levels.
I would think if you can keep a bottom zone in the upper 60's to low 70's that has good dissolved oxygen your WE should be fine and growing at their optimum rate.
Temperature changes aside, our pond is fairly clear now and we are able to see a white jig under the boat at around 8-9'. From what I have read starting bottom aeration will improve water clarity so I am also concerned about creating water that allows to much light near the bottom for the sensitive WE eyes.
I seriously doubt you'll have to worry about increasing clarity and although walleye don't like bright light they are found in some very clear water and can adapt. Depending on how much well water you exchange you may get clearer but like I said I wouldn't worry about it.
I would appreciate your expertise/experience with this. The lack of activity in the depths tells me things are not ideal but maybe a change would be worse. TIA
I can't see you hurting anything by adding well water. In fact if you flow is too low it may not effect your temps much. Adding aeration can only help although I question cranking it up this time of year. If you do please be sure to pulse it.
