Cecil thanks for all the pics and info on the draw down process. I want to try this and start one of my ponds over. I have a question...
Have you ever done or seen any one use a freeze up to complete a fish kill. What I mean is...draw the pond down in Dec or Jan to a depth that would ensure a complete freeze to the bottom. Eliminating the chemicals and using the bitter temps to my advantage. Would this work?
It seems to work up your way with ponds that are used to produce fathead minnows that routinely winter kill. However I would be concerned if there is even a small bit of water trapped under the ice, or you got a sudden warm up and heavy rain, and you had some fish fry that could survive. I have an incredibily heavy population of ramshorn snails that are part of a parasite cycle and aren't as optimum for fish to eat vs. other species.
If you can't use rotenone for small amounts of water, either chlorine and potassium permanganate can be used and quickly dissipate to harmless compounds. I may still treat my pond with PP before adding fish to not only make sure the rotenone is neutralized but to kill potential parasites and pathogens. It could do a number on the snails too if I use a heavy enough doze.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 04/11/1312:27 PM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
