Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Spring algea

I've been negotiating the permitting and stocking process in Michigan.

They have a different definition of "private waters" than you might think. IF a pond has a permanent inflow or outflow, even if a pond will overflow over a field to a culvert that leads to a ditch that leads to a stream or lake, then the pond is NOT considered "private waters" and they will NOT allow stocking Tilapia.....

Those waters are considered "waters of the state" and you have to have an approved stocking permit before ANY fish can be legally stocked in the pond. That permit has to be on-site when the fish stocking takes place, and if it isn't, both the pond owner and the fish stocker can be in the same pot of hot water.