Wow, thanks for all of that great info!


Originally Posted by Bill Cody
Generally during winter it is the phytoplankton not rooted plants that provide DO to the pond if the microscopic phytoplankton receives sunlight. However in ponds with more rooted plants the fewer numbers of phytoplankton.

For a remote pond (without aeration) does anyone fertilize to enhance phytoplankton growth just prior to ice cover?

I could see how that could provide some extra oxygen to help the fish over-winter in a shallow pond.

I could also see how that could be a disaster, where your bloom only makes it through half of the winter, and then you have MORE decaying plant matter in your pond consuming valuable oxygen.