Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Small Pond - Newby from SE Michigan

If this were my place, and I didn't like the appearance of the pond, I'd consider steps needed to change it. I would want to clear vegetation/trees to an extent, improve water quality, and engineer it into a pond that would support a fishery. Those would be my own personal priorities.

I would determine reason for pond being covered entirely by mat of filamentous algae in Summer: Excess nutrients likely in part due to organic material filling in the pond bottom after many years or leaf litter from trees surrounding.

In order to remove silt/organic material, I'd need to drain and use excavator. While working heavy equipment, I'd increase depth to 10-12' and consider expanding it's size.

Also, while equipment is on site working on the pond, I'd hopefully realize that same excavator in one hour could save dozens/hundreds of hours of manual labor removing trees/vegetation from pond later. I would ask operator to clear brush to make it more accessible visually and physically - I can fine tune with chainsaw later - but I'd get the heavy lifting done now.

I would determine the watershed and investigate. Is it draining neighborhoods where excess N/P from fertilizer is washing into pond - creating excessively nutrient rich water? If so, build a small sediment pond upstream to help slow down water, and plant rooted vegetation to tie up excess nutrient prior to releasing into the pond. This will slow the eutrophication process of my new pond, and help preserve water quality.

I would next research and determine fish species that interest me, and establish goals for the fishery. This will determine stocking strategy and timeline.

Then I would source those fish and set a schedule. Depending on species and goals, I'd consider buying a feeder and building a feeder platform/mini dock from which I can observe feeding/behavior and provide a place to fish.

Those are my recommendations if it were my place.