Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pond drying up- But how to round up/save the fish?

I did research in the various forums, and couldn't find anything on this question and felt this forum was the best place for this question. And please don't laugh too hard about the following... it ain't funny to me!

We have a small pond near Midway, Texas that thanks to the lovely 105 degree temperatures of late, has literally "collapsed". It used to be about 6- 8 ft deep and now at its deepest is about 2 feet deep - again, thanks to no rain of significance. It is not leaking. It has always done well until this year with the prolonged drought and lack of recharge. (Others have had rain but we haven't been so fortunate).

It's a smaller pond, probably maybe now 75 feet- if that- wide. We dug a new deeper pond (stock tank size) not far away last year that was full and is holding water quite well.

I feel that I need to transport these critters in the little pond to a new home- the new tank. (By the way, I have stocked the new tank with the "brothers and sisters" of the small tank fish/minnows- and they love it.)

There are lots of minnows and the rest are perch of all sizes, and I really hate to lose them if I don't have to.

I suppose I could run well water into it, but the water comes from a community well and I think (know) the neighbors would frown upon such a thing.

Obviously a seine (sp) or net comes to mind, but I will probably have to do the job by "me, myself and I" (aka alone).... and usually (I think) seines require two folks?

Thus, any ideas from any of you as to how to "round up" the little devils up efficiently by myself? And yes, I realize this is a great opportunity to clean out the little pond, which it needs. But my concern now is that I really have no real clue how to get em out to save the fish by myself. Or maybe I should just wait and hope for rain?

Sure would appreciate any thoughts. I just can't see the wife helping on this, and the neighbors are gone on vacation, and the thing is going dry alarmingly fast (but no fish kill yet!)

I really would appreciate thoughts on this rather unusual request, and and yes, I do subscribe to Pond Boss, and I read it cover to cover. Great stuff!

Taylor

Taylor,

This is not going to be easy with just one person. You need a buddy to help you and seine it. Other ways on your own?? A large mesh net maybe? Maybe drain it even more if your going to move the fish and then get in there with a large net you can handle on your own? I am quite new to this site so maybe some of the other vet's here may be able to give you a better answer. It really isn't a one man job though. You might want to use a little bit of water from the well just to keep things going till it rains??? Good Luck I am sure someone else may have some ideas as well.

RC

Taylor, I face the same thing regarding seining; nobody on the other end. I talked my wife into it once. She swore that something was biting on her ankles and legs. No way I'll get her back into the water.

The only plan (only a plan so far) is to use a TPost on one end that has been driven into the soil at the bank. You can use the other end.

It stinks when you can't talk someone into running the other end of the seine...

EXCELLENT idea on the T-post. THANKS! I see I am not alone in this type of problem. I really appreciate the ideas and thoughts, and welcome any other thoughts!

I had forgotten to mention that another complicating factor is that there is algae growing on the pond making it even more of a mess/weight factor for a seign. But, so it goes. No one ever said it would be easy.

Be careful when stomping around the pond by yourself. When established ponds are drawn down, it exposes silt and muck built up over many years. The exposed dirt may look dry, but it can be a real trap if you are by yourself and sink waist-deep.

The t-post is a great idea.

Good luck!

Have you considered a cast net?They are relatively cheap and are a one man show.

Get back to the books Dave.

One person can run a seine but you have to do it slowly. It is not nearly as effecient or successful but will work to capture some fish.

No matter what, it helps to toss out some pellets in the target area.

Again, thanks for the super ideas. You guys are the best!
Taylor

Unless you have some large, nice bluegill, letting them go and buying fingerlings may be the way to go. Replacing them won't cost much more than buying a net.

Good luck!

I have removed the larger fish in my ponds by pumping the water down to a few inches and scooping up the floundering fish into a tank of fresh water. However this only works if:

1.) The pond bottom is firm enough to support you. And don't be fooled if some of it is as you can still have soft spots that can range from annoying to dangerous.

2.) The water is cool (definitely not where you're at now!) The problem is the the fish will stir up oxygen robbing silt and may quickly suffocate in warm water.