Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization 20-20-5 Granular??

I spoke with my local DNR Fisheries guy about fertilizing my 3 acre pond located in middle GA. He recommended granular 20-20-5 at a rate of 40pounds/acre. He said to spread it around the edges in water less than 3 feet deep. The advantage according to him is a quicker bloom.

I have never seen any suggestions on using a product like this with such a high nitrogen content. Any opinions or facts on this type of fertilizer would be appreciated.

Frank

Frank, I have been trying to figure out fertilization for my middle Ga pond also. The DNR recommendation might be OK but I think you can spend your money better. The 20-20-5 sounds more like a lawn fertilizer. You toss this in the pond it is going to the bottom and much of it will not be used.
I am going to use a 10-52-4 water soluble fertilizer made for ponds. Will get mine from Greg Grimes.
Where's your pond, mines in Putnam Co. near Lake Sinclair.

Bill,
Thanks for the info. I'll check with Greg. My pond is in Jones County near Haddock. It was built in the 40's by my grandfather as an irrigation pond. Last year we totally renovated it with repairs to the dam and a new syphon overflow system. Bream were stocked Oct 30, 2002. Bass will go in this June.

Frank

Know the area, most of my family is from Twiggs and Wilkerson Counties. Where did you get your fish?

Bill,
I purchased coppernose bluegill, redear shellcrackers, and fathead minnows from American Sport Fish in Birmingham, AL. They delivered right to the pond. Bream were 20 cents each. They sell a F1 hybrid largemouth bass which I will stock in June. I think the bass are $1.00 each. Delivery charge was $50.

Tight Lines,

Frank

The reason for DNR referring you to the 20-20-5 is that is what they read out of a pamphlet. My profesor helped to write the pamphlet back in the 70's and it is still basically the same today. Back then 20-20-5 was thought to be the best. It works if applied correctly, but why waste money on the nitrogen when phosphorus is limiting nutrient. In the 80's folks started using liquid, an improvement. I used it exclusivley until about 4 years ago. I think the water soluble is both easier and more econimicial since it dissolves in the top portion of the water column. DNR provides a great free service and I know lots of those guys, but sometimes you get what you pay for. Hope that helped.

Frank, answered your personal email. Hope I can be of assistance. BTW I pickup the same F1's from AMerican SPortfish and deliver all across the state when ready the first week of June, and may be able to deliver for less. Just a thought, glad to hear your getting the fish from them they are great bass with an average of over 2.2 lbs 16 months after stocking. SOme clients get them to over 3 lbs by our first electroshock study the following October after stokcing. How many f1's are you stocking/acre? I suggest 50-75/acre not 100/acre if a quality bass pond is your goal. Good luck, Greg

Greg,

Thanks for this info and the personal email. Quality bass is the goal for my pond so I appreciate the suggestion of 50-75 per acre. I stocked 1000 bream per acre along with fathead minnows on Oct 30,2002. I was planning on 100 bass per acre but will use your suggested rate. I see that Am Sport Fish sells fingerling F1 and some larger. Is there any advantage to stocking larger F1's?

I would not stock the larger ones in a newly stocked pond. What you don't want to do is have the bass wipe out the bluegill. The fingerling f1's will grow like crazy with your proper bluegill stocking, supplemental feeding, and fertilization program.