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NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD FISH POND MANAGEMENT (Number) CODE 399

DEFINITION Increased nutrient levels will cause an increase in aquatic plant production and Developing or improving impounded water affect subsequent visual quality. Too to produce fish for domestic use or much production at the lower food chain recreation. levels could cause undesirable coloring of the water with “algae blooms” and reduced PURPOSE visual quality. Increased production of higher forms of aquatic plants may be To improve or maintain fish production and desirable for visual quality. fishery use by making a favorable water habitat, supplementing natural food SPECIFICATIONS supplies, and reducing competition from unwanted plants and animals. 1. Water Quality, Quantity, and Stocking. (Minimum Treatment) Where Applicable. In ponds, lakes, and reservoirs where a crop of fish is wanted. A. Ponds will meet minimum pond specifications. PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS B. Ponds will be stocked with fish as Water Quantity specified in 3.A or 3.B below.

This practice will not affect the quantity of C. Livestock must be excluded to the water budget. maintain water quality.

Water Quality D. Oxygen levels in trout ponds will be maintained at a minimum of 5 parts The addition of pesticides, nutrients, or per million, and temperatures between supplemental foods to enhance the fishery 48 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. or the resultant by-products of feeding fish will affect the quality of both surface and 2. Fertilization. groundwater. Generally not recommended in the The addition of any substance used to Midwest. Apply only where intensive enhance the fishery, which dissolves in the management is planned. Contact local water, will increase the movement of these DNR fishery biologist for substances into the groundwater. recommendations.

Nutrients added to the fishery will increase the biological productivity of food chains associated with all water related wildlife habitats.

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3. Stocking. the vegetation within three weeks. A. Sportfishing: 3) Deepen the edges of the 1) These stocking pond so that water is a minimum recommendations are for ponds of three feet deep, six feet from without existing fish populations. the edge of the water.

2) In warm water ponds in Iowa, B. Chemical Control:1 a Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and Bluegill combination 1) Certain herbicides provide will provide the best utilization of effective aquatic weed control. If available foods. Stock 1,000 used, they should be applied only Bluegill and 100 Catfish when needed. Manufacturer’s fingerlings per acre in the fall. directions for use and The following year, stock 70 precautionary measures should Largemouth Bass fingerlings per be strictly followed. If not acre in the spring. Largemouth handled properly, herbicides may Bass or Bluegill will not be be injurious to humans, domestic stocked alone. Refer to Biology animals, desirable plants, Technical Note #7. honeybees, and other pollinating insects, and fish and wildlife. B. Commercial Production: 2) Best results with most Stock between 1,000 and 2,000 herbicides are obtained when Fingerling Channel Catfish per aquatic plants are treated in early surface acre. Stocking rate will stages of growth (Spring). Proper depend upon experience of operator identification of the plant is and level of management. Refer to important to identify the correct Biology Technical Note #1 when herbicide for control. rearing Catfish in cages. 3) Do not use chemicals that 4. Aquatic Weed Control. are not recommended for use in waters from which fish are to be A. Mechanical Control: used for human consumption.

1) Remove free floating weeds 5. Supplemental Feeding. by seining or raking: rooted weeds by raking, pulling, or Supplemental feeding is usually not cutting before they become needed except in commercial production. extensive. Six domestic ducks Use only commercial feeds and feed per surface acre will normally according to recommendations of the feed control free-floating duckweed. manufacturer which is generally about More than this may foul the water three percent of body weight per day. and the shoreline.

2) Shade the vegetation by floating a sheet of black polyethylene or vinyl on the surface and anchoring it in place. The absence of sunlight will kill NRCS – IOWA May 1992 Reviewed January 2002 399 - 3

6. Control of Diseases and Parasites. 9. Renovation.

Consult local Iowa Department of Natural To remove an unbalanced or undesirable Resources Wildlife Management Biologist fish population, drain the pond or draw the or Fisheries Management Biologists for water down to a depth that will not allow recommendations. their survival through the winter. For ponds that do not have a drawdown 7. Harvest. capability, apply an approved fish toxicant.1 A. Iowa ponds can provide about 250 pounds of Bluegills per surface References: acre of water; hence, this species will provide most of the fishing in a pond. Iowa’s Farm Ponds, Iowa Conservation Harvest of Bluegills can be started the Commission, 1979. second year after stocking. Bluegill limits need not be imposed because Biology Technical Note #1, Rearing they are plentiful. Channel Catfish in Cages.

B. Bass populations in a balanced Biology Technical Note #7, Fish Pond Iowa pond will reach 50 to 75 lbs. Per Management Information. acre, approximately 1/5 that of Bluegill. Bass should not be removed from the pond until the fourth year after stocking. No more than 10-15 Bass per acre over 15 inches in length should be removed annually. Greater harvest rates will reduce the quality of both Bass and Bluegill fishing. Restrict or control pond access.

C. Catfish, in general, do not reproduce well in Iowa farm ponds. They can be harvested as desired and restocked as needed.

8. Population Control.

To control too many small fish, draw the pond down to 50 percent of normal surface area. Drawdown water level should be attained by mid June and extend to October while water is still warm. The pond should be allowed to refill by 1 Any herbicide or fish toxicant used must be freeze-up time. Lowering the water level federally and locally registered and must be forces the small fish into a lesser amount applied strictly in accordance with registered of water, allowing easier predation by the uses, directions on the label, and other federal Bass. or state policies and requirements.

NRCS – IOWA May 1992 Reviewed January 2002