Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Shallow water winter aeration needed for trout?

For your mid Michigan location during winter, I would move one or both diffuser/s toward the shore so the water boil daily creates some open water close to shore and outward as far as the open area advances. This could mean the aerator would run 3 -5 hrs per day. During ice cover when water is cold the currents spread much easier and much further compared to summer conditions.

This means probably during your Michigan winter the diffuser/s sit in 4ft - 6ft deep. Some ice can develop or remain a foot or 2 along the shore during aerator on periods. During daily aerator off periods ice will reform on the open water. Refreezing of clear clean ice of the open water zone allows sunlight penetration and good dissolved oxygen production by phytoplankton and bottom benthic algae. I think you want the aerator action to create an open water area close enough to shore so on sunny days you can toss some food pellets into the open water area. In heavy snow and near 0F conditions, I think you need to run the diffusers just enough to create the "regular" size of open water area that might usually be 20X50ft. As long as the trout will eat some pellets during open water periods, "super cool" water is not a big factor for the trout. Let the trout be your indicators for acceptable water temperature. Results this 2023-24 winter aerator operation will determine future winter aeration placement and techniques.

Trout stay active and healthy in winter in streams that form anchor ice which means water significantly colder than 39F and close to 32F. Google: anchor ice formation.