Originally Posted by RAH
I suggest protecting new plants. I do this with thorny honey locust branches, but temporary fencing also works well. Once established, it is hard for deer to kill them. On the other hand, unchecked muskrats can wipe out some types of emergent plants. Keeping livestock (including horses and cows) away from the pond and outside of the watershed is important for swimming safety and reducing nutrient load. Manure and swimming/fishing ponds don't work well together. Best of luck!

Thanks RAH! We don't have locust, but I'll try other trees/brush for sure when I plant again next spring. 5 foot woven wire around the lilies didn't stop at least one deer, judging by the tracks. We don't have a bull, so safety isn't an issue. There are ten animals spread over 30 acres, and the pasture slopes downward. No pasture above the pond, it is wooded. Unless the livestock were standing right on the edges of the pond for long periods, and they don't, we are safe from manure runoff.