Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations rearing pond

Does anyone have a rearing pond to rise forage fish. I have a small tank (60 feet x 60 feet) about 100 feet uphill from a 3 acre pond. I was wondering if I could rise forage fish in this small an area? How deep should it be? How do you tranfer the fish? Lots of questions. Anybody know if this can be done (or should be done). Was thinking about bluegills.

newtex in the last few issues of PB mag there have been articles on forage ponds , blocking nets and indoor RAS systems all just for that purpose. You can raise forage in an area of 3600 sq ft (your size 60 X 60). I use growout areas of about 2000 sq ft and 800 sq ft using blocking nets and feeders. In a separate pond you have to watch water quality closely and there are some other things to learn. I suggest you get the mag and ask for the back issue where Bob wrote an article on hatchery ponds Nov/Dec 2005.

newtxpond,

I'm going to try a very small, shallow pond just for minnows and ghost shrimp. (haven't decided on the size and depth yet) I'm going to buy an inexpensive solar fountain pump kit that pumps from the main pond into the minnow pond. The overflow will run back into the pond. I think that will work, and circulate enough for my needs. If someone has already tried it, please let me know!

Yeah, I've had several small forage ponds. The problem I had was keeping ahead of the BG and FH spawning. Lots of seining to do.

I have 4. It is alot of work, but you always have plenty of forage and bait.

Thanks ewest I have the Nov/Dec 05 issue and found the article. Thanks. For folks that have a hatchery pond do you think you could just siphon the water from small pond to big and move the fish? I have a small 3" siphon on my 3 acre pond and it moves a lot of water. I dont use it for a "spillway"(have 2 earth spillways) just use siphon for water level control when I want to do something in the pond.

I think you could do that assuming you can control the flow rate and amount. It would be a good way to flush the small pond of excess ammonia and nutrients. You would need to be careful about using it during the spawn so as not to muddy up the water or silt in the beds. If you do then be sure to siphon in water from the top foot or so of the big pond (high in O2 and plankton) and not pond bottom water. How will you get rid of the excess water in the small pond? If you can take out bottom water from it.

iv got three silt ponds above my 0.25 acre pond two are very small one 10'X10' the other is about 5'X5' these are just hand dug with a small dam to stop silt and debris. the dam has 4 4" pipes running through its base to allow for water to flow even during drought but when it floods the water will be stopped by the dam. the tops are covered in concrete with natrual rocks embeded this serves as a nartual overflow and walking bridges. they silt up a little but are about 4' and 2.5' respectivly. the natrual creek chub love them.

the larger silt/flood control pond is the one i am designing right now. it will be put in as soon as ground unfreezes. it will be built because of witnessing a 100yr flood sweep down my creek a week ago the small dams stood no chance this amount of water was insaine. lucky for me there was ice on my larger pond so i could clean all the debris off. the silt/flood control pond will be built in a small depression and be about 1/10th of an acre. 8 feet max depth, it will be built in between a run off creek and the yearly creek the dam will have pipes running through the base to allow for constantly running water but when it exceeds the max flow of the pipes it will be forced up the creek and into the channal the feeds the small pond. this pond will be used to raise minnows and bg.

Are you going to try to raise blue gills and minnows in the 10' X 10' pond? Do you think it will work. I would like to know if it would.

I've done it in a 15x25 pond. I'm not sure the size matters.

And this from a Texan.

...no Texas surprise here

Dave must be talking about his hot tub.

Ya know, sometimes you just step in it. What would life be like without friends like this?

Brettski did you rise bluegills or minnows or both in the 15x25 and how deep was the water?

newtxpond
I was referring to Dave's experience with the smaller ponds, but I assume (and surely hope) that the water was at least waist deep. Dave is pretty creative with pond construction and usage, so Bluegills, minnows, and the occassional chub are very likely.

Congrats, newtx - I believe you have managed to shame the Great Brettski.

IIRC DD was doing (FH) minnows; correct as needed Dave.