Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Ice question

A new pond in OH out of the Lk Erie snow belt usually does not need winter aeration. Just try to keep about 15%-30% of the snow off the pond so it does not lie on the ice for longer than 2-3 wks. Winter wind often exposes enough bare ice (10%-50%) to allow sunlight penetration and phytoplankton to create adequate DO for fish survival under the ice. Blue dye in winter ponds slows the natural oxygenation process by reducing sunlight penetration.
Very often fish die, sink to the bottom and are never seen on top. It is very hard on catch n' release fish to let them lie on the ice and handle them with gloves. Slime coat is a fish's immune system. That perch you released will have significant slime layer removed and will likely fungus up and eventually die before spring spawning season. Fish don't eat a lot in winter and slime replacement is very slow. Always handle winter catch n' release fish delicately. I prefer to lip lift with wet bare thumb and forefinger all catch and release YP when ice fishing to keep survival rates high. Otherwise invite the YP to dinner to reduce wasting a valuable resource.