Fertilizing a pond

[jcummins]

Who's done it how did you do it? Was it worth it.

My reasons for considering it? When I moved here 6 years ago the pond had a lot more grass than now. It still has it, just not to the extent. It was hard to fish from the bank due to the grass....except for topwater and boyee would they hit it too.

Fast forward couple of years. The grass slowly cut back and the result....eagles could see the bass. For 2 years they really hammered this pond, and of course took.....the big bass.

The former owner did not like the grass. Had put in some grass carp. Complained the kids couldn't swim too must grass. I think it came about from fertilizer washing into the pond from his heavy fertilizing of grasses. But he unwittingly created a good bass growing situation. I'm out to recreate that.

Open to ideas.

 

[oosik]

The runoff from fertilizing or over fertilizing agricultural crops will usually cause algae growth in ponds NOT pond grasses.

I would advise that you NOT fertilize your pond.

The reasons are: first, the increase in nutrients(fertilizer) combined with sunshine WILL cause an explosive growth of algae
second, this explosion in algae will dramatically reduce the oxygen levels in the pond - growing algae require oxygen
third, as the algae consume and use all the fertilizer your pond will experience a rapid die off of the algae, the algae
will sink to the bottom and begin decomposition, this decomposition can/will reduce the oxygen levels in the pond to
zero or near zero and as a final act, because of the lack of oxygen in the pond - any fish you have in the pond will die.

If you still have grass carp in the pond - get rid of them. You will NEVER be able to get a good "crop" of pond grass with the carp in the pond.

If you once had good stands of pond grass - it will reestablish itself when you reduce/eliminate the negative factors - carp or any other species
that would dig up the grasses.

 

[CalG]

The runoff from fertilizing or over fertilizing agricultural crops will usually cause algae growth in ponds NOT pond grasses.

I would advise that you NOT fertilize your pond.

The reasons are: first, the increase in nutrients(fertilizer) combined with sunshine WILL cause an explosive growth of algae
second, this explosion in algae will dramatically reduce the oxygen levels in the pond - growing algae require oxygen
third, as the algae consume and use all the fertilizer your pond will experience a rapid die off of the algae, the algae
will sink to the bottom and begin decomposition, this decomposition can/will reduce the oxygen levels in the pond to
zero or near zero and as a final act, because of the lack of oxygen in the pond - any fish you have in the pond will die.

If you still have grass carp in the pond - get rid of them. You will NEVER be able to get a good "crop" of pond grass with the carp in the pond.

If you once had good stands of pond grass - it will reestablish itself when you reduce/eliminate the negative factors - carp or any other species
that would dig up the grasses.

Turtles are hard on carp.

hard on bass too...;-)

 

[jcummins]

Think the carp may have died off. Eagles got one I know of. Turtles, been shooting some, need to shoot more.

I lived in Texas for 20+ years. Fished Toledo Bend, Rayburn, Conroe....the more grass the better the bass fishing was. I see the same thing with my pond.

If....i do nothing, I don't think the grass will return to the same level it was. You noticed the grass when I first moved here. Now you see it, but simply no where close to the way it was. So how do you get it back ...without....fertilizer?

 

[MossRoad]

Just curious questions...
How big is the pond?
What species of fish are in it now?
What species of turtles?

I don't buy into the turtles eating the big bass theory. Yes, snapping turtles eat fish. Mostly, they eat small, slow, sick and stupid fish (think Darwin). As you've said, you've seen eagles getting bigger fish. I'd also blame Great Blue Herons. If you've ever seen one at your pond, that means they've been there more than you can imagine. They are voracious eaters. Way more than snapping turtles.

Also, if you get too much grass, you'll have too many places for feeder fish like bluegill to hide, the bass won't be able to keep their population in check, and then you'll have millions of stunted little fish and the average size of your bass will probably go down over the years. From everything I've read, its a balancing act between nutrients in the pond, large game fish like your bass, feeder fish like bluegill, plants, oxygen, run-off, etc.....

There's some really good info over at Pond Boss Forum | Forums powered by UBB.threads™.... I've stopped in there many times over the years when just looking for interesting reading on things I've seen in ponds and lakes.

 

[jcummins]

I agree on the turtles....they don't eat big bass. I shoot them to keep the numbers down. The type they are, are what you see regularly in ponds, definitely some snappers. Like you said it's a balancing act.

Herons...yes they are a problem too, but they won't get a 5lb bass I don't think...eagles well. I've seen them do it.

Pond is 8 acres, bass, bluegill, and catfish. When I moved here with heavy grass in the pond, it was not unusual to catch 4-5 lb bass. Biggest I caught from the pond was 6lb. Now I catch fairly solid 12-15 inch bass, seldom larger. I am CERTAIN from my fishing experiences grass = bass...and the experience on the pond bears it out. Having said that....several other factors entire into bass management, as the site you linked too tells us about. But I witnessed eagles fishing this pond regularly for 2 years...once the grass lessened and they could see the bass. They for sure played a big part innailing the best bass because they could see their prey.

So that's the reason for my thinking of wanting the grass to grow a bit more.

 

[jcummins]

Examples...

 

[EddieWalker]

The former owner did not like the grass. Had put in some grass carp. Complained the kids couldn't swim too must grass. I think it came about from fertilizer washing into the pond from his heavy fertilizing of grasses. But he unwittingly created a good bass growing situation. I'm out to recreate that.

Open to ideas.

Sounds like the carp are doing what they where put in there to do. If you want them to stop eating your grass, and other aquatic plants, you need to remove the carp.

If you fertilize the pond, you will provide more feed for algae to grow. You might also get some other aquatic plant species to grow too. I wouldn't do it!!!!

There is no legal way to stop fish eating birds from eating your fish.

 

[jcummins]

I have not seen any grass carp for awhile. Eagles got the l last one I saw...bet it was 10lbs or so. Eagles go for the biggest fish they see...therin is the problem.

 

[brown40]

You could throw a little cover in/on the pond to block predators. Maybe find some cover aquatic plants to drop in? Cattails or lilypads would keep spreading once established. I've seen some really nice flowering ones canoeing around.

 

[boggen]

normally it is the very opposite.... with *GET RID OF THE STINKING MOSS / WATER WEEDS*
sorry for caps.

aeration of pond more likely benefit the pond long term. the aeration itself can happen from an air pump, water pump, fountain, or other. BUT it is the water currents that are key. a tornado / large circular currents going around the pond can be more beneficial that some little fountain that spits some water up.

with others need specifics of pond.

dimensions of it. shape of it. depth of it. what is all stocked in pond.

 

[MossRoad]

I agree on the turtles....they don't eat big bass. I shoot them to keep the numbers down. The type they are, are what you see regularly in ponds, definitely some snappers. Like you said it's a balancing act.

Herons...yes they are a problem too, but they won't get a 5lb bass I don't think...eagles well. I've seen them do it.

Pond is 8 acres, bass, bluegill, and catfish. When I moved here with heavy grass in the pond, it was not unusual to catch 4-5 lb bass. Biggest I caught from the pond was 6lb. Now I catch fairly solid 12-15 inch bass, seldom larger. I am CERTAIN from my fishing experiences grass = bass...and the experience on the pond bears it out. Having said that....several other factors entire into bass management, as the site you linked too tells us about. But I witnessed eagles fishing this pond regularly for 2 years...once the grass lessened and they could see the bass. They for sure played a big part innailing the best bass because they could see their prey.

So that's the reason for my thinking of wanting the grass to grow a bit more.

The average lifespan of a largmouth bass is 16 years. The size and weight of the bass is not age dependent. So, if the bass never live to get to 3 pounds due to heron/eagle predation, or never get enough nutrients to grow, or are subjected to colder climate where they grow slower, etc... and the older, larger ones die out from old age, you're likely to never see a 5 pounder again.

Here's just one of many videos of a heron choking down what appears to be about a 15" bass. I've personally seen one at the zoo eat a carp that appeared larger than that.

 

[MossRoad]

Examples...View attachment 508223View attachment 508224

That looks to be about an 8" fish.

 

[rekees4300]

The runoff from fertilizing or over fertilizing agricultural crops will usually cause algae growth in ponds NOT pond grasses.

I would advise that you NOT fertilize your pond.

Ditto... unless you want scum to completely cover your pond.

 

[jcummins]

That looks to be about an 8" fish.

Not hardly. It ...i think...was about an 18" catfish.

 

[jcummins]

Ditto... unless you want scum to completely cover your pond.

Although I didn't see it, from pass Google earth pictures I think that was an issue at one point.

As someone suggested, I have thought about aeration., just don't want to deal with the pump issues. I do run a pump on a timer in the winter under a dock to keep that area from freezing over and heaving the dock up.

Since I can't fix the bird problem, I need to research more and come up with the next best solution.

 

[KYErik]

I agree with the others that say not to fertilize. More nutrients mean more algae. More algae can result in blooms (population explosions). When the population crashes and most of the algae die off, their rotting remains will stink AND the bacteria decomposing the remains can deplete oxygen in the water killing many of the fish.

Maybe you can collect the neighbors Christmas trees in Jan and throw those into the pond for some cover.

 

[jcummins]

I agree with the others that say not to fertilize. More nutrients mean more algae. More algae can result in blooms (population explosions). When the population crashes and most of the algae die off, their rotting remains will stink AND the bacteria decomposing the remains can deplete oxygen in the water killing many of the fish.

Maybe you can collect the neighbors Christmas trees in Jan and throw those into the pond for some cover.

Actually have cut a few scrub trees and have done a little of that. Intend to do more.

 

[MossRoad]

Not hardly. It ...i think...was about an 18" catfish.

I can't see well on my phone. :shocked:

 

[jcummins]

I can't see well on my phone. :shocked:

The biggest I've seen the eagles take was a 10lb grass carp. I didn't actually witness it, but witness the result.

I first saw the carp trashing around...it was hurt. Was pretty certain at that point an eagle went for it but couldn't manage its size but had hurt it pretty bad. Had to run to town, couple hours later, the carp was on the bank partially eaten. Went in the house and from my living room window watched the eagle come back and feasted.

I've watch them dive bomb fish, go completely under water, then using their version of a breast stroke swim to shore.

Very entertaining but also very aggravating