If they are up to the top of the water column, and you smell a bit from the water in the pond, I'd try to open up more with the pump. Next year try to have more area open. No issues here with 5% open water but you may need more.
What percentage of the pond surface area has open water now? (guesstimate on the size of the open hole is good enough for calculations)
Not very much, it's a 6 acre lake and ive only got about 1/3 of an acre open, it's better than last year smell wise and I've plowed off about 3 acres of the lake so it's getting good sunlight...but it's still another 3 to 4 weeks before ice off. I'll be back on the pump tomorrow. The fish survived last winter and the water quality was worse so Im keeping my fingers crossed.
I shouldnt have this issue next year after my aerating tower and new inflows/weirs are constructed..but just have to get there.
