Resorts and Lodging

Camping

 Guides

Boat Sales and Storage

Sporting Goods, Bait and Tackle

Restaurants

Kentucky Lake Maps

Discussion 
Board

Hunting Stories and Information

Fishing Report

Fishing Stories
 and Information

Other Stories and Information

Tennessee
Fishing Records

Weather

Lake Levels

Land Between
the Lakes

Upcoming
Events

Seasons and regulations

Links

Advertising

Contact Us

SPRING POND MANAGEMENT
by Steve McCadams
www.stevemccadams.com
March 22nd, 2008

    Interested in pond management? Here’s some important information from Professor Thomas K. Hill which appeared in the recent UT Extension Service newsletter.

    Farm Pond Fertilization is a key factor and one of the best management tools available to increase fish production. Where balanced populations of largemouth bass and bluegill exist, a well-executed fertilization program can result in 175-200 pounds of harvestable fish per acre. Unfertilized ponds rarely produce more than 50 pounds per acre of harvestable sized fish.

    It is time to start fertilizing when pond waters stabilize above 60 degrees F in the spring. Apply 100 pounds per surface acre of 8-8-2 or 40 pounds of 20-20-5 every two weeks until a good green plankton bloom develops.

    Liquid pond fertilizer usually available as 10-34-0 also works well. When a white object can be seen 18 inches beneath the surface, another application of fertilizer should be made. Check with your fertilizer supplier for a time-release pond fertilizer. This formulation packaged as 10-50-0, is designed to make pond fertilization easier

on you because it is applied usually only once per season.

    Fertilize as often as necessary to maintain the proper color of water. Generally, ponds will need to be fertilized seven to 10 times each year with either granular or liquid formulations. Stop fertilizing in October when the water cools, but renew the practice each spring. Haphazard and intermittent fertilization often results in a

stunted fish population.

    Where a pond has been properly fertilized for at least five years, phosphate fertilizer alone often provides satisfactory results. Nitrogen fixing bacteria and decomposition of organic materials on the bottom of such ponds may supply enough nitrogen. Either super-phosphate (20 percent) applied at 40 pounds per acre or triple super-phosphate

(46 percent) at 18 pounds per acre will supply the needed phosphate nutrients at costs reductions of 50-60 percent.

Steve McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area. He has also contributed many outdoor oriented articles to various national publications.

Home

All contents property of Hometown Network.
All rights reserved.