Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction new guy in mississippi

I have a few updates here, I have started logging data on my catches and for good measure I started harvesting the fish under the relative weight chart posted earlier or if they looked skinny. I've caught a total of 11 fish ranging from 11-16 inches. The 7 that were harvested were under weight a pretty good deal including a 16 incher that went 1.4 pounds, he looked ok but was just so dern skinny. I put the other 4 back that were nice and healthy. I am right about halfway to my 20 pound harvest for the year. If the water would ever get back to normal or if it'll stop raining once or twice a week I could do some more fishin!

I received my soil results back, I was told to do a soil analysis first then send the water sample off to be examined. They gave me results by extractable nutrient levels in lb/acre.
PH 5.5
Phosphorus 10 (very low)
Potassium 63
Calcium 62
Magnesium 115 (very high)
Zinc 1.9 (high)
Cation exchange capacity (CEC %OM) 3.2

It is recommended that I apply 1 ton of lime per acre.

Be sure that recommendation is for a lake/pond/water not for land application.

You need to know your alkalinity but it appears you are limited by P which is common for waters in MS (most locations outside the delta).

ewest, I was always under the impression the lime application recommendations were always base on surrounding soil tests due to the water typically mirroring the soil in the watershed.

Is there a difference for what would be applied in the BOW? Also, isn't a land lime recommendation given based on a single season's needs rather than providing for a longer term pH ammendment?

thanks ewest, I can call the msu extension office to make sure before I do anything. I sent the soil sample to them specifying that it was a pond soil test and it does say so on my test results. The extension office I go to (mendenhall) told me that they do not have the capabilities to do any water testing in house and that I would have to find a place to do that. Can I buy a kit somewhere like a pool store to determine hardness/alkalinity?

Johnny, most of those pool supply places will do the water sample tests in house for you at no charge. Some even supply a bottle to collect the water in.

might be a viable option there rainman....free is great too!

chickenjonny,
My pond is in Mississippi but I have gotten my water analyzed by LSU. Here is the address I found on my last results:
Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory
School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Website: www.lsuagcenter.com/stpal

did you have to fill out any forms when sending to LSU? I guess I can give them a call real quick

I "think" I just followed the link to "Contact the Soil Lab" and emailed with somebody who told me what to do but there are phone numbers there that may make the process a little faster.

For all -- here is the archive link to soil and water test links/sites.


http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92617#Post92617