would like to address winter time aeration. Read that leaving the pumps on in January/February Ohio weather is hard on the fish because it over cools the water at depth...last year without aeration the pond froze to about 6 inches of ice with 6 to 8 inches of snow; even though we shoved about a 1/3 of the one acre pond twice...spring discovered about 20+ calcified large fish; seemed a mix of GB and HSB [large means 9+", 13+" respectively].
the question: would it be OK to place the aeration blubbers next to the pontoon dock at a depth of 3-4 feet below water level? this would prevent ice damage to the pontoon and provide some open water for exchange of O and gases...the majority of the pond [.9 acres] would be allowed to freeze...maybe 10% open water.
current water temperature at 24" down is 53% [31 Oct 2021]...feeder is down to 2 seconds about 1pm and 5 pm...BG and HSB still feeding but with less vigor...feeding along shoreline with starter feed results in a few locations with substantial feeding...the small fry are abundant all around the shoreline [GB, shiners, a few minnows]...
maybe some would be interested: to protect the pontoons from ice damage 2" foam was floated all around them; kept in place with 1x6 treat boards and a few ropes tied to the pontoon dock/boat...worked well for two years...a 4 foot wide foam board covers all but a few inches under the pontoon; now with aeration the foam is not needed.
all thoughts and comments most welcomed...have a great winter...fish on.
