Bassman I don't believe you need to worry about your water temp. harming your fish. Get a new thermometer and check it weekly. Drop down 5,and 10 feet and take a reading. I believe your temp. reading is only of the surface. It's amazing how much variation there is in Ky. My pond read thursday at 6:00pm. surface 58 dg.,5 ft.54 dg.,10 ft. 49 dg. You must be in south-western Ky or receiving warmwater discharge from a power plant!! Have fun with your pond!