POND FISH and FISHING in ILLINOIS by A.C

POND FISH AND FISHING IN ILLINOIS by A.C. LOPI NOT CHIEF FISHERY BIOLOGIST

Fishery Bulletin Number 5 Illinois Department of Conservation Division of Fisheries Springfield, Illinois 62706 1967 Page Acknowledgements 2 Introduction ...... 5 THE POND ITSELF 7 The Water . 9 The Food Chain 10 FISH FOR THE FISHING POND 11 Largemouth bass 11 Bluegill 13 Redear sunfish 15 Channel catfish 16 FISH THAT CAN RUIN FISHING 17 Crappie ...... 17 Bullheads ...... 18 Carp — Buffalo — Suckers 18 Green sunfish ...... 19 Other fish ...... 19 STOCKING THE POND ...... 20 WHEN AND HOW TO FISH THE POND 22 CATCHING FISH 24 Largemouth bass 24 Bluegill ...... 25 Redear sunfish 25 Channel catfish 25 MANAGING THE POND 28 Aquatic Weed Control ...... 29 Harvesting and Controlling Bluegills 31 Destroying Spawning Beds 33 Water Level Fluctuations 33 Brush Removal ...... 33 Fertilization ...... 33 CONTENTS Testing a Pond's Fish Population 34 How to Determine the Condition of a Fish Population from the Fisherman's Catch 36 Correcting Pood Fishing ...... 37 Draining ...... 37 Chemical Treatment 37 POND PROBLEMS ...... 39 Muddy Water 39 Muskrats ...... 39 Crayfish 40 Turtles ...... 40 Fish Kills ...... 41 Fish Diseases ...... 43 DEEP PONDS WITH COLD WATER 46 USING THE LITTLE POND ...... 48 Small Ponds for Food Fish ...... 48 Small Ponds for Bait Minnows 48 DOLLARS IN YOUR POND 51 Fee Fishing Areas 51 Food Fish ...... 52 Frog Farming 53 POND SAFETY 55 SOME POND AND FISH FACTS ...... 57 MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR FISH STOCKING 59 REFERENCE LIST ...... 60 Kinds of Fishes and Their Identification and Distribution 61 Pond Construction ...... 61 Fisheries Management ...... 61 Bait and Fish Propagation 62 Aquatic Vegetation Control 62 Frogs 62 Fish Farming 62 INTRODUCTION Ponds can be the biggest thing in Illinois fishing. By themselves, they may not look like much. But counted in the tens of thousands, these little lakes add up to a lot of water and a lot of fishing. In 1965 there were 62,627 ponds in Illinois (38,455 acres of water!) and about 1,200 new ponds are being built each year. The majority of these are not managed for fishing. They would be— if their owners knew what they were missing. Wise fishermen covet good ponds, for they mean close-to-home action with big bass, and stringers of fat, fighting bluegills. At a time when good fishing is so highly prized, and sportsmen want convenience and privacy, a good Illinois pond is the answer to a fisherman's prayer. Whether that fisherman is a freckled kid or a crusty old bass specialist, the pond means wonderful sport. But good fishing doesn't just happen. It's more than just building a dam, wating for rain, stocking some fish, and living happily ever after. Fish are a crop, and a pond must be managed and cultivated to provide good harvests. That's what this booklet is all about — making your pond a good place to fish, and keeping it that way. Good luck, and tight lines!

5 DU PAGE

KENDALL

WILL

KANKAKEE

LIVINGSTON

IROQUOIS

McDONOUGH TAZEWELL McLEAN FORD

MASON SCHUATER LOGAN DE WITT CHAMPAIGN VERMILION ADAMS PIATT BROWN CUSS MACON

SANGAMON ORGAN DOUGLAS EDGAR

CHRISTIAN COLES

CLARK ONTGOMERY CUMBERLAND

CONCENTRATION OF PONDS

INVENTORY OF ILLINOIS PONDS* IN 1965

Size Range Percent Of Total Area Percent Of Average Size (Acres) Number Total Number In Acres Total Acreage (Acres) 0.1 to 0.4 38,780 62% 8,469 22% 0.22 0.5 to 0.9 13,134 21% 8,238 21% 0.63 1.0 to 5.9 10,313 17% 21,748 57% 1.98 TOTAL 62,627 100% 38,455 100%

*The Illinois Department of Conservation classifies all impound- ments less than six acres in size as ponds.

6 THE POND ITSELF Fish, like all other animals, must have suitable shelter and food for survival and reproduction. However, not all ponds can support game fish populations. To produce and maintain good sportfishing, the pond must be managed. Good fish management begins with proper shape and depth of the pond (pond design) and proper living conditions within that pond (water quality). Proper construction and maintenance of the dam and spillway are essential. The dam must be built so that it will not wash out or develop a leak, and the spillway should be designed to handle excessive amounts of water during heavy rainfalls and runoff.

7 The pond should be at least one acre in size when full. Smaller ponds are difficult to manage for any period of time. Their fish populations tend to be more unstable because any changes in fish numbers make a great difference in relation to total fish population. Because of the proportionately smaller open water area, aquatic plants can seriously interfere with recreational uses of the pond and also provide excessive refuge for small fish, con- tributing to overpopulation and stunting. Summer and winter fish kills occur more frequently in small ponds because they are often shallow. Small ponds can seldom support enough fishing pressure to make management worthwhile, and they are likely to dry up or provide an unsuitable habitat during extended period of below average rainfall. The Department of Conservation will not provide 1 fish for ponds less than /2 acre in size. A maximum depth of at least seven to nine feet should be maintained in one fourth of the pond. It's even better if the greatest depth is from 10 to 15 feet. The water along the shoreline should be about four feet deep to inhibit the growth of shallow water plants.

CLAY CORE MECHANICAL SPILLWAY

STOCK WATERING TANK WATERING AND DRAIN PIPE

The watershed of the pond should furnish enough water to keep the pond full throughout the year with limited overflow through the spillway. For most Illinois ponds an ideal is 10 to 20 acres of watershed per surface acre of water. To prevent the inflow of muddy water and excessive siltation, the watershed should be protected from erosion with permanent vegetative cover in waterways leading to the pond. No pollution of any kind should be allowed to enter the water from the watershed. Barnyard, feedlot, ensilage, and sewage effluents may kill fish by oxygen depletion or direct poisoning. (See section on fish kills.) It is highly desirable to fence the pond from livestock. Grazing activities tear down the shoreline and bank vegetation resulting in erosion and muddy water. Silt entering the pond settles in the basin and eventually fills it. Continuously muddy water water also ruins the habitat for fish because bass and certain other game species cannot see their food. Sunlight penetration, so necessary for the growth of plankton algae, may be limited. If water is used for livestock, it should be piped to a tank located outside the fence and below the dam. It should be possible to completely drain the pond in one or two weeks and a pond drainpipe and value at least four inches in diameter is recommended. The pond's water level can be lowered in the summer or fall (See section on drawdowns.) to reduce over- populations of small fish, to drain the pond when undesirable fish are present, for dredging the pond basin if siltation is excessive, or to permit complete fish harvest in a commercial minnow or catfish raising operation. The appearance of the pond can be enhanced by proper land- scaping that can also benefit wildlife. Multiflora rose or honey- suckle hedge can be planted around the pond as a fence. The dam, earthen spillway, and immediate shoreline should be planted to rye, fescue or Reeds Canary grass. Part of the shoreline can be sanded for a swimming beach. Shrubs, trees, and pines can be planted in small clumps around the pond inside the fenced area but about one hundred feet away from the shoreline. Orna- mental plantings can be used to add additional color and variety to the area. THE WATER A body of water goes through an annual cycle of temperature changes paralleling the seasons. When a pond is covered with ice the water at the bottom is about 39.2°F. Water is heaviest at this temperature. The colder water above is less dense and the lightest water of all (about 32° F.) is just under the ice. During the winter stagnation period the upper portion of the pond contains adequate oxygen for fish, but the oxygen in the deeper parts may be used up by the decaying of dead plants and animals. At this time the dissolved oxygen in deeper water may become insufficient for fish and other aquatic animals. Microscopic plants (algae) in the upper waters just beneath the ice cover may receive enough light to allow them to produce oxygen. However, light intensity can be too low for oxygen production when ice is covered with snow.

404 ■••• Nan

When the ice melts in the spring, the pond's surface warms from 32° F. to its maximum density at 39.2° F., and the heavy surface waters sink. They mix and stir with deeper waters. Lighter, colder water rises from the stagnant depths to the surface, where it is charged with oxygen by spring winds. The pond is mixed from top to bottom by this spring turnover, its water temperature is almost uniform at all depths, and the entire pond is rich is oxygen. As summer advances, the surface waters warm rapidly and become much less dense than the colder water below. Because this warm surface water is much lighter, it floats at the top of the pond

9 throughout the summer and does not mix with the colder water beneath. During the summer stagnation period fish are largely confined to the warm upper waters of the pond because the colder depths generally contain inadequate oxygen. In most Illinois ponds and small lakes this upper layer will vary between 2 and 10 feet in thickness depending on the size and depth of the pond and the intensity of wind action on the pond surface. In the fall months the surface waters cool until they approach the temperature of the lower waters. As the surface waters cool and become heavier, they sink and mix with the deeper waters until all the water has the same temperature density (fall turnover). As the pond circulates, the stagnant bottom waters release their carbon dioxide and take on oxygen at the pond surface. Once again oxygen is present at all depths so that fish and other aquatic animals can live throughout the entire pond habitat. THE FOOD CHAIN Life in a pond is a complex, interlocked chain of plants and animals. The food supply for fish depends upon the presence of plant nutrients (organic matter and minerals) dissolved in the water. These may enter the pond as dust carried by winds or with water runoff from the surrounding lands. These nutrients stimulate the growth of small aquatic plants called algae. Through photo- synthesis (the process by which green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to produce carbohydrates) the microscopic algae grows and multiplies. In turn, it serves as food for microscopic animals. These tiny organisms multiply and become forage for larger animals such as small crustaceans and insect larvae. Small bluegill, redear sunfish, and young largemouth bass utilize these

crustaceans and insect larvae. In the final stage of the food chain the small fish, crayfish, and larger insect larvae are consumed by larger fish. Thus, the food chain is completed with continuous links extending from basic plant nutrients to the larger types of predator fish present in the pond. The ratio of deep water to shallow water in a pond has an important bearing on the amount of fish produced. Shallow water water areas produce more food than deep water areas because greater sunlight penetration to the bottom and more available dissolved oxygen, resulting in a greater abundance of plant growth.

10 FISH FOR THE FISHING POND It is important to know something of the life histories of fish used in pond stocking, because pond management must be closely geared to the basic needs of the fish stocked in the pond. For- tunately, the needs of several excellent food and game fish can be met with a single program of pond management. LARGEMOUTH BASS "Old Bucketmouth" feeds primarily by sight. Young bass eat water fleas, copepods and other crustaceans (tiny cousins of the crayfish), insects and small fish. Adult bass eat fish, crayfish, tadpoles, frogs, insects or almost any animal small enough to consume. The young fish feed throughout the day but adults usually feed during late evening and early morning. It takes three to five pounds of natural food to produce one pound of bass. Bass grow more in length during the first year of life than in the second, but the weight gain is greater in the second and later years than in the first year. Females tend to grow faster and live longer than males.

11 FINS SEPARATED

7 SCALE ROWS

UPPER JAW EXTENDS BEHIND EYE DARK LONGITUDINAL STRIPE

The world record largemouth bass weight over 22 pounds. The Illinois' hook and line record is just over 10 pounds. The average adult caught by the angler weighs one to two pounds and is 12 to 15 inches long. Life expectancy for the bass runs about eight to ten years, but some live longer. Average Growth Rate of Largemouth Bass in Illinois Age In Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Length In Inches 6.3 9.0 11.6 13.5 15.8 17.4 18.9 19.8 20.3 20.7 Weight In Pounds 0.13 0.44 0.75 1.13 2.00 2.50 3.00 4.00 5.00 5.50 In Illinois, largemouth bass usually spawn when they are two years old and from 9 to 12 inches long. The spawning season is in May and June when the water temperature is between 60 and 70° F.

The male builds a nest in two to six feet of water by fanning and rooting out a cavity in the pond bottom. The size of the nest varies with the size of the fish and may be two feet in diameter and six inches deep. Mud, leaves or roots of aquatic plants form the nest bottom. After the nest is finished the male bass coaxes a female into it and fertilizes her eggs as they are deposited. The number of eggs laid varies from 2,000 to 15,000 depending on the size and condition of the female. The male maintains a constant vigil and keeps the eggs aerated and silt-free by gently fanning them with his fins. The eggs are 0.1 inch in diameter and hatch in 3 to 12 days depending upon the water temperature.

12 Young bass, called "fry", stay in the nest for about a week until they have used up the food contained in their attached yolk sacs. Then the fry leave the nest in a school in search of microscopic animals. The male bass, like some other members of the sunfish family, attempts to protect the fry for about 10 days. After that, the young fish tend to scatter in shallow water for protection. Bass reproduction and survival are endangered by sudden drops in water temperatures when the eggs or fry are in the nests, predation on bass eggs and fry by other fish (especially bluegill and other sunfish), and insufficient food when the young bass leave their nests. Each pond has a specific carrying capacity which is defined as the maximum poundage of fish flesh the pond can support. The greater the pond fertility, the greater the carrying capacity. The carrying capacity for largemouth bass in Illinois is approximately as follows: Watershed Area Pond Carrying Capacity Forest Land 10 to 25 pounds per acre Light Colored Soils 25 to 50 pounds per acre Black Soils 50 to 125 pounds per acre

DARK SPOT BODY SOMETIMES WITH NO MARGIN SHOWS CROSSBARS

SMALL MOUTH

3 ANAL SPINES

BLUEGILL These wonderful little game fish feed by sight on a diet of insect larvae, water fleas and adult insects. Other foods include algae, freshwater shrimp, small crayfish, snails, and small fish. In midsummer, bluegills may turn to plant food because of the scarcity of insects. It takes four to nine pounds of natural food to produce one pound of bluegill. A big Illinois bluegill seldom weighs over one pound—but it's all fight. The average bluegill caught by anglers weighs 1/4 to 1/3 pound and is over six inches in length. The largest bluegill on record is 4 pounds 12 ounces, while the Illinois record is 21/2 pounds. Bluegill growth is slow in many Illinois ponds because of the intense competition for food and space.

13 The average life span of the bluegill is about four to six years, but there are records of this fish reaching 13 years of age. In stunted or slow growing populations of bluegills, the normal life span is only four to five years; in such populations few bluegills even reach catchable size.

Average Growth Rate of Bluegills in Illinois Age In Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 Length In Inches 3.2 4.6 5.7 6.6 7.4 8.4 Weight In Pounds 0.03 0.08 0.16 0.19 0.31 0.47

Bluegills reach sexual maturity at one year of age. A 5-inch female bluegill may produce 6,000 eggs, while a 10-inch bluegill may lay over 50,000 eggs. There may be two or three spawnings each year, from late May through September, in water from 75 to 80° F. Bluegills nest in colonies in very shallow water in nests that are 12 to 16 inches in diameter. The male constructs the nest and guards

the eggs and fry. The eggs hatch in two to five days depending on water temperature. After the yolk sac is absorbed the tiny bluegills feed on microscopic foods. Unless there are enough largemouth to prey effectively on these small bluegills the pond may quickly develop a bluegill overpopulation. Pond carrying capacity for bluegill varies with the pond and watershed fertility. The carrying capacity of ponds for bluegill in Illinois is approximately as follows:

Watershed Area Pond Carrying Capacity Forest Land 50 to 75 pounds per acre Light Colored Soils 100 to 200 pounds per acre Black Soils 200 to 400 pounds per acre

14 DARK SPOT WITH MARGIN OF SCARLET BODY WITHOUT SPOTS OR BARS

SMALL MOUTH

PECTORAL FIN LONG AND POINTED 3 ANAL SPINES

REDEAR SUNFISH The redear sunfish is quite similar to the common pumpkinseed sunfish. However, the little "ear" on the gill cover of the redear has a scarlet margin whereas only a spot of red appears on that of the pumpkinseed. The redear sunfish is also called shellcracker, stump-knocker, strawberry bass, brim, bream, sunfish, and redear perch. The readear sunfish usually becomes sexually mature at one year of age. It produces fewer young than the bluegill, probably because it has a shorter spawning season. Redears usually spawn in late spring after the largemouth bass. In May and June when the water temperature reaches 68 to 75° F., the male redear enters the shallows to make his nest. Like bluegill, the redear nests in colonies. If there are submersed plants, the redear may nest within or near this vegetation. A female redear may lay from 2,000 to 10,000 or more eggs. The eggs hatch in 6 to 10 days, depending upon the water temperature. After hatching, the fry stay in the nest for about a week with the male standing guard. The redear's food habits are similar to the bluegill's, but the redear has a particular fondness for snails. The snail shell is completely crushed and most of it is expelled from the mouth, and the fish is often called "shellcracker". The redear spends much of its time in deep water and, unlike the bluegill, seldom feeds on surface insects. The redear is the largest of the Illinois sunfishes, excluding bass and crappie. Growth is usually faster than that of the bluegill.

Average Growth Rate of Redear Sunfish in Illinois

Age In Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Length In Inches 5.2 6.4 7.1 7.8 9.2 9.3 9.5 Weight In Pounds 0.13 0.24 0.29 0.42 0.63 0.64 0.67

EYES NEARER UPPER THAN LOWER SURFACE OF HEAD UPPER LOBE LONGER

24-29 RAYS „N SPOTTED ROUNDED EDGE

CHANNEL CATFISH Channel catfish eat many types of food, both living and dead. Their diet includes insect larvae, crayfish, snails, worms, clams, fish, tree seeds, weed seeds, and even such exotic items as wild grapes. This fish can feed by touch, taste or sight. When catfish are small, much of their food consists of insect and insect larvae. Larger channel catfish will eat small fish. However, they cannot be expected to materially reduce large numbers of small bluegill in a pond. The maximum weight attained by the channel catfish may exceed 25 pounds, the average fish caught by the angler weighs from one to two pounds. If not more than 50 catfish are stocked per acre, the growth of these fish in ponds is usually very fast.

Average Growth Rate of Channel Catfish in Illinois

Age In Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Length In Inches 6.4 9.6 12.6 14.3 16.7 18.5 21.0 22.6 25.6 26.6 Weight In Pounds 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.3 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.5 6.8 8.0

Channel catfish become sexually mature when they are 13 to 16 inches in length. A female produces 5,000 eggs per pound of body weight, if she is in good condition. Spawning takes place from May to July when water temperatures reach 75° F. The male builds the nest in a cavity and guards the eggs and young in a manner similar to that of the bass and bluegill. The eggs hatch in 6 to 10 days and the newly hatched fry remain in the nest about one week before dispersing. In most cases channel catfish will not spawn in the artifical pond. When spawning does occur, the survival of the fry is very low. The channel catfish is a desirable pond fish but requires periodic restocking.

16 FISH THAT CAN RUIN FISHING

CRAPPIE Two species of crappies (black and white) occur in most large rivers, river lakes, and the larger natural inland lakes which are their favorite habitat. However, crappies are not recommended for stocking in ponds. They reproduce about the same time as the largemouth bass, causing large numbers of young crappie in the pond to compete with the young bass for food. Adult crappie and adult bass also compete for food. To make matters worse, the crappie often preys on small bass and reduces the total bass population. As a result, crappie have a tendency to overpopulate. When this occurs, the only recourse is to drain the pond or chemically eradicate the entire fish population. The Division of Fisheries has rehabilitated many ponds containing stunted populations of crappie. In most most cases the crappie were small and very few largemouth bass were present..

LARGE MOUTH DARK SPLOTCHES ON BODY

17 BULLHEADS Illinois has three species of bullheads; black, brown, and yellow. Of the three, the black bullhead is the most common. Bullheads are not recommended for pond stocking because they a high reproductive potential which generally results in an overpopulation. Since they are bottom feeders, large populations of bullheads cause the pond waters to become roily — a phoenomenon similar to that produced by a carp population.

CARP CARP — BUFFALO — SUCKERS Carp, buffalo, and suckers are found primarily in rivers and river lakes. When stocked in ponds, they compete directly with bluegill and small bass for food. Large numbers of carp cause the water to become extremely turbid. Buffalo feed on microscopic food and are nearly impossible to catch on pole and line.

BUFFALO

18 SCALES SMALLER TOWARDS FRONT

■

I SMALL MOUTH SUCKER

BODY OFTEN SHOWS DARK SPOT . LONGITUDINAL LINES HAS MARGIN

LARGE MOUTH -.--YELLOW EDGE

GREEN SUNFISH Green sunfish or "rubbertails" are commonly found in streams and lakes. In a pond they readily become overabundant. They compete intensely with small bass and bluegill for food and space. The casual fisherman often mistakes the green sunfish for the bluegill, but the green sunfish has a mouth larger than the bluegill's and has no markings on the sides of its body. The ventral fins of the green sunfish are bordered with white and yellow.

OTHER FISH Northern pike, walleye, trout and various other species have been stocked in Illinois ponds with very limited success. These fish will not reproduce in ponds, and because of high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen, they seldom survive. Habitat requirements for these fish are described in the section on "Deep Ponds With Cold Water". Very few ponds in Illinois can meet these requirements.

19 FISH INSPECTOR

STOCKING THE POND It is very important that the pond be stocked correctly, because the original stock of fish must provide the fishing in the pond for the first three to five years. The stocking of additional fish in a pond that already has a fish population will not improve the fishery. If a pond provides a suitable habitat for fish, stocking may result in very productive fishing. Unless one is an expert in fish identification the introduction of wild fish from a stream or nearby waters will often prevent the development of a sport fishery. When wild fish are already present, they should be removed by pond drainage or by chemical treatment under the supervision of the Illinois Department of Conservation before any additional species of fish are stocked. Illinois ponds are suitable only for warmwater fish. The major species recommended for stocking ponds are: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. The stocking of the correct sizes and numbers of the recommended species is very important. The release of the correct number of fingerling size fish will produce sport fishing faster than the stocking of a smaller number of adult fish. With the proper number of fingerlings, the fish will grow at a rapid rate and produce fishing the second summer. The recommended stocking rate for fingerling largemouth bass in Illinois ponds is 100 fish per surface acre. If fingerling size fish are not available, adult bass can be substituted. How- ever, this method of stocking is not recommended because too many young may be produced and the pond will be quickly overpopulated.

20 The recommended stocking rate for fingerling bluegill to be stocked with the bass fingerlings is 100 to 400 fish per surface acre, depending upon pond and watershed fertility. (Refer to the stocking chart on page ). Redear sunfish can be substituted for the bluegill or stocked in conjunction with them. When they are stocked together, a good combination is about 30% redear sunfish and 70% bluegill. But whatever the panfish stocked, largemouth bass must be used as a predator fish. Channel catfish may be stocked in conjunction with bass and sunfish or may be stocked alone. The recommended stocking rate for channel catfish is from 50 to 100 per surface acre unless they are to be fed (see section on Dollars in Your Pond). Channel catfish will occasionally reproduce in a pond, but the fry will not survive in the presence of bass and bluegill. Therefore, new stock must be added to the pond occasionally as catfish are harvested. A study in Missouri shows that channel catfish will reproduce in ponds if certain conditions prevail:

1. Stocking: Not more than 50 fish per surface acre should be stocked. Equal numbers of breeder size males and females should be stocked (13 to 16 inches long). A well- developed male usually has a large head, wider than the body, and the female has a slender head. Just before spawning time the vent of the male is small and opens toward the tail; the vent of the female is wide open and completely inflamed.

2. Acclimatization: Adult catfish caught in a river should be in the pond for at least one year before reproduction can be expected. Fish reared in ponds can be expected to spawn when mature, even if moved to a new or special spawning pond without acclimatization.

3. Suitable Nesting Place: Running water is not a necessary requirement for channel catfish spawning. Catfish require some type of cavity in which to lay their eggs. A satisfactory nest consists of two nail kegs telescoped together to form a long tube with one end closed. The end of the double keg should be slightly higher than the closed end to prevent the fry from leaving prematurely after hatching. Sand or gravel can be placed in the bottom of the keg and the keg should be staked to the bottom in water that is three to four feet deep. The number of such nests needed will depend on the size of the water area. Lard cans, 10 gallon milk cans, truck tires, tile, etc., are also suitable nesting containers.

4. Survival of Young Fish: If the water is turbid (clearness of less than 12 inches), the survival rate may be good. If the water is clear, the survival rate may be poor. Aquatic vegetation will not appreciably increase the survival rate. In the presence of large panfish populations there may be no survival of young channel catfish.

21 With proper management, recommended pond species will reproduce and maintain catchable populations. Once the pond has been stocked correctly, it will not need periodic stocking except if channel catfish are harvested. The following chart can be used as a guide when stocking fingerling size fish: Fertility of Pond & Watershed SPECIES FAIR AVERAGE GOOD EXCELLENT Number fingerlings to be stocked per surface acre Largemouth bass 100 100 100 100 Bluegill or Redear sunfish 100 200 300 400 Sunfish combination Bluegill 70 140 210 280 Redear Sunfish 30 60 90 120 Channel catfish 50 50 100 100

6 — ASE WHEN AND HOW TO FISH THE POND After the pond has been properly stocked with fingerling fish, it's a good idea to allow one complete summer for growth before fishing. Only bluegills should be kept the first year. As mentioned earlier, bass will not reproduce until they are two years old and bass should not be removed from the pond until after the spawning season (May and June) of the second summer. By that time, the 1 angler can expect to catch bass weighing about /2 to 1 pound and bluegill about 1/4 to 1/3 pound.

22 The pond should be fished frequently if it is to maintain a good catchable fish population. About one year after stocking, the pond will have reached its carrying capacity (total pounds of fish it can support). Reasonable fishing should be permitted so that one species is not over or under fished in favor of another. When a new pond is fished there is usually a tendency to fish for bass and to neglect the bluegill. Everyone likes to catch big bass, but such selective fishing can damage the pond's fishery. We have known expert fishermen who could actually throw a small pond out of balance in one day of fishing when the bass were hitting. The average Illinois pond will support about four times as many pounds of bluegill as of bass. For every pound

1 lb. Largemouth 4 lbs‘ of bass harvested, three to seven pounds of bluegill should also be taken, and about twenty time more effort should be directed toward catching bluegills than bass. To help maintain a good fish population, the angler should keep only the larger bass, and return bass less than 10-12 inches to the pond. The fisherman's success is often high during the first couple of years, and a high harvest of small bass during the first two years may result in an immediate overpopulation of bluegill or redear sunfish. This excessive harvest of bass is probably one of the most common causes of pond failure in Illinois. The recommended angling harvest from an average one acre Illinois pond is: Species of Fish Largemouth Bass Bluegill and/or Carrying Capacity of Pond (Pounds Per Acre) 25 50 100 75 200 400 Harvest 1st year (lbs.) None None None 38 100 200 Harvest 2nd year (lbs.) None None None 38 100 200 Harvest 3rd year (lbs.) and each succeeding year 12 25 50 38 100 200 There are two major active threats to proper fish management in ponds: 1. The pond owner who severely restricts all fishing in his pond so that it won't be "fished out". 2. The real bass specialist who is deadly with flyrod, spinning rod, casting rod using top water, deep-runners and live baits during the daytime or night-time. And, who is usually a fish hog to boot.

23 CATCHING FISH Many anglers do not catch fish simply because they do not know how. About half the people who go fishing fail to catch fish. Of the other half, 10 percent of the fishermen catch 90 percent of the fish. Success in catching fish requires the proper selection of equipment, a knowledge of when and where to use it, and some knowledge of the fish itself. Largemouth Bass: The fastest Illinois bass fishing is in spring and early summer. Artificial lures such as plugs, spoons, spinners, and poppers are often more attractive than live bait. If natural baits are used, (minnows, crayfish, frogs, night crawlers, etc.) the hook sizes should range from 1/0 to 6/0. Certain sizes and weights of casting and spinning rods are designed primarily for bass fishing and for handling artificial lures. Cast the lure in a likely bass spot (the more accurately, the better) and vary the retrieve by

24 twitching the rod as the bait is reeled in. Early in the spring bass feed below the surface and are usually caught on underwater baits and spinners moved slowly. Later, when the water temperature is 68° F. or warmer, bass will strike surface lures. During daylight hours bass can often be found around tree stumps, fallen trees, points jutting out from shore, edges of weed beds or about 20 to 30 feet out from the shore. In the early morning and late evening they will come into the shore shallows to feed.

Bluegill: These sporty little fish should provide most of the fishing in a pond. They are most easily caught while on the spawning beds, but they can also be found along weed beds and around submerged brush. In the winter they can be caught through the ice by using an ice fly or spoon to which a grub or small worm has been attached. In cold water, bluegills tend to concentrate in groups near the bottom and for that reason it is necessary to locate a school which may require making ice holes in several locations. The simplest type of fishing gear for bluegill is the cane pole with a small bobber and size 8 to 12 hook baited with small earthworms, crickets, catalpa worms, leeches, or maggots. Fly rod casting with black flies, small floating poppers, and rubber spiders can be highly productive. Early morning and late evening fishing may be more rewarding than other times but the time of day is of little importance when fishing over spawning beds. But remember: a bluegill has a small mouth and it takes a small hook to catch him. During hot summer days bluegills can be found in deep water or in weed beds where they may be caught on weighted black artificial flies or on small earthworms trolled deep behind a slow- moving boat.

Redear Sunfish: The redear sunfish is more difficult to catch than the bluegill because it inhabits deep water and is a cautious biter. It is rarely taken on artificial surface lures. The most sucess- ful fishing method is to use a small spinner and hook, such as a number 8 or 10, baited with a red worm, cockroach, or cricket fished deep with the bait jigged up and down right off the bottom. Sometimes the bait is left motionless on the bottom. Whether using a cork or fishing a "tight-line", the hook should be set at the first sign of a bite. Unlike the bluegill, the redear usually will not make a pronounced "run" with the bait. Redears can also be caught while on their spawning beds in shallow water. Once the proper fishing technique is acquired the angler using light tackle can expect many exciting catches of redear sunfish.

Channel Catfish: Successful channel catfish fishing in ponds is more difficult than in streams or river lakes. Because these fish shun light and are bottom feeders, they are usually found in deep water during the day. However, most of their feeding activity takes place at night, so night fishing provides a higher rate of catch. In midsummer channel catfish are usually easier to catch and thus can provide fishing when other species are not biting. Catfishing is poor in the spring and late fall and winter because they are sensitive to temperature and do not feed actively at such times.

A cane pole and a strong line with a number 2 or 4 hook attached and baited with pieces of fish (shad is best), prepared blood bait, chicken entrails, cheese, or stink baits will give good results. Still fishing is probably the best method for ponds, although bank lines or small trot lines are productive when used in shallow areas after dark.

C. n 8 12

BLUEGILL

REDEAR SUNFISH

FrCHANNEL CATFISH

LARGEMOUTH BASS FLY ROD CANE POLE

26 Pt

SPIN CASTING ROD SPINNING ROD

BAIT CASTING ROD

27 MANAGING THE POND Good fishing does not just happen in a pond; it is the result of careful stocking and proper management. It takes more than a dam and a few fish to assure continued good fishing. The pond owner is off to a good start if he will remember that the cattle in his pasture and the fish in his pond have much in common. Both cattle and fish are crops to be harvested. Both can be harvested to produce a sustained yield as long as the seed 117%se stock is maintained and the habitat not overgrazed. There is nothing to be gained by overcrowding either cattle or fish. In fact, excessive numbers result in inferior crops. This is a basic principle of farm management, but strangely enough, many people cling doggedly to the conviction that the aquatic pasture will support an unlimited fish crop. If two similar ponds were stocked, one with 1,000 fish and the other with 10,000 fish, both would contain about the same poundage of fish one year later. However, fish from the pond stocked with 1,000 individuals would be much larger than those from the pond stocked with 10,000. The study of interrelationship between animals and their en- vironment is known as the science of ecology. Manipulation of the animals, the habitat, or both, is management. When applied to fish,

28 it is fisheries management—the art and science of producing sustained annual crops of fish for recreational and commercial uses. Some phases of management have already been discussed. They include stocking and proper harvesting of the fish by angling. But there are other types of management that the pond owners must practice if they are to maintain successful fishing. AQUATIC WEED CONTROL Excessive aquatic vegetation can quickly choke a farm pond, damaging it for both fish and fisherman. When large numbers of small bluegills find protection in ex- tensive beds of vegetation, bass growth can become slow and the bluegills are subject to overpopulation and stunting. Heavy beds of aquatic plants are a nuisance to the angler, and they may cause fish kills when the vegetation decomposes during extended periods of hot cloudy weather. Some kinds of vegetation may emit offensive odors and give the water a bad taste. There are blue-green algae that produce deadly poisons that can kill fish, birds and livestock, and weed-choked shallow bays spawn clouds of mosquitoes. Herbicides offer the most effective method of weed control but to use these plant poisons effectively, the kind of weed to be treated must be positively identified, the area to be treated must be calculated, and proper dosage applied. Most rooted aquatic plants are treated in the spring when the plants are growing rapidly and have not reached the seeding stage. Users of herbicides are cau- tioned to follow the directions on the manufacturer's label as some of the chemicals are quite toxic. All farm animals should be kept from treated water for a time if specified by the manufacturer's label. Herbicides can be applied to the aquatice vegetation by broad- casting with a dipper, a hand sprayer, a motor-powered sprayer, or boat bailer. For effective control it is important that uniform cover- age with the herbicide is obtained. There are four general types of aquatic weeds: algae, floating plants, submersed plants, and emersed plants. Algae are primitive plants which do not have true leaves or flowers and which reproduce vegetatively or by means of tiny spores. Water that appears soupy green or brown may have an excessive growth of free floating cells or groups of cells commonly called

29 plankton algae, or water bloom. Filamentous algae, known as pond scum, consists of growths of cells in long, stringy, hair-like strands. More advanced forms of algae, such as Chara, grow from the lake bottom with "stems" and "branches", and are often confused with higher plants. Algae are sensitive to copper salts and many can be controlled with copper sulfate.

Floating plants include those that are not attached to the bottom and float about on the surface of the water. Duckweed and watermeal are minute floating plants which often are so abundant as to form a green blanket on the water surface. Some control can be accomplished by raking out onto the bank as many of these plants as is practical and then using herbicides on those remaining. Liquid endothal, diquat, 2, 4-D and kerosene have been effective controls.

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Submersed plants include those that are u§ually rooted to the pond bottom and grow to the surface. These plants are often collectively referred to as "moss", "sea weed, "bass weed", or "water grass". The more common of these aquatic plants are pondweed, coontail, milfoil, waterweed, naiad, water stargrass, horned pondweed, waterbuttercup, and ditch grass. Some of these plants have floating leaves; others occur entirely below the surface. Endothal, silvex, diquat, 2, 4-D and other hericides have been used effectively for the control of these plants.

Emersed plants are those that extend above water, usually in shallow areas and along the shoreline. These plants may be an- nuals or perennials. Some of the more common emersed plants include cattail, lotus, water lily, creeping waterprimrose, smartweed, bulrush, waterwillow, willow and buttonbush. Dalapon, amitrole, 2, 4-D, silvex and diquat are some effective herbicides. The Division of Fisheries has a publication titled "Aquatic Weeds, Their Identification and Control" which gives the specific treatment and dosages required for each aquatic plant commonly found in ponds. Instructions in this booklet also include methods of determining the water volume, methods of applications and sources of supply.

HARVESTING AND CONTROLLING BLUEGILLS Ponds frequently produce great surpluses of bluegills. Harvest- ing surplus fish should begin as soon as two years after the pond is stocked, but because fishing does not effectively remove small (under 5 inches) bluegills their numbers must be periodically reduced by other methods.

Trapping: An effective fish trap can be made of 1/2-inch hardware cloth or one-inch poultry netting. (See plans for different types of traps.) The traps can be used with or without wings or "drift" fences. If wings are used, they should be of the same netting as the trap, and of any suitable length. The traps should be placed in water just deep enough to cover them, parallel or at right angles to the shore, off peninsulas, or in shallow bays where

trIP J;-

small fish congregate. If wings are used on the traps, they should be held in place by wooden poles or steel reinforcing rods. Up to 10 traps per acre of water may be needed. Traps do not have to be baited but more fish will be caught if baits of soybean cake, cottonseed cake, bread, or cottage cheese are used. These baits are placed in cloth bags and hung inside the traps. The traps should be checked daily for fish. Otherwise, small trutles may enter the traps seeking entrapped fish. Seining: Seining the shallow waters can also help reduce the excess fish. This can be done with a minnow seine or a longer one-inch mesh seine. The seining is done at intervals around the pond by anchoring one end of the seine at the bank and pulling the seine straight from the bank to its full length and then sweeping in an arc back to the bank. However, seining is more effective with two persons pulling the seine along the shoreline. Trapping and seining should be done during the late summer and early fall when the bluegill are abundant in the shoreline areas. Fish larger than six inches should be returned to the pond.

CYLINDRICAL FISH TRAP

FUNNEL PORTION

CYLINDER 61/2' PORTION

END PORTION 1" MESH POULTRY NETTING

BOX FISH TRAP

WING FRONT VIEW SIDE VIEW TOP VIEW

FUNNEL , 3' 11/2 "Za OPENING

2' 4' 2" x2" LUMBER

STEEL POST 1" MESH NETTING

DOUBLE FUNNEL FISH TRAP

FUNNELS •• •

CYLINDER PORTION

END COMPLETED TRAP PORTION 1" MESH POULTRY NETTING 4'

32 DESTROYING SPAWNING BEDS Bluegill spawning beds should be destroyed periodically by raking over the beds or wading out into the water and trampling through the nests. WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS Ponds that have watersheds of 15 to 25 acres of land per acre of water — and drainpipes of four inches in diameter or larger — can be manipulated to control excessive populations of small bluegills and other sunfishes. Drawing a pond down to one-half of its normal surface area in early September will force small fishes into open water where larger fish can capture them. Such a drawdown reduces the total poundage of fish in the pond and favors the survival of bass and larger bluegills. When the pond refills, each fish surviving the drawdown will have an abundance of food organisms and the growth rate is increased. However, a successful drawdown depends on enough bass in the pond to prey upon and materially reduce the excessive numbers of small fish.

Management drawdowns should begin in mid to late summer, and the pond should be held at a low level for at least three months. Drawdowns should not be made in ponds less than one acre in size, and enough water should be left to prevent winter kill in case there are no filling rains in late summer and fall. BRUSH REMOVAL Before impounding water in a new pond basin, all trees and brush should be removed. Trees and brush in small ponds furnish too much cover for small fish, although moderate brush in ponds over two acres is usually not detrimental.

FERTILIZATION Many states— especially in the southeast — recommend fertilization of farm ponds for fish production. In Illinois, however, fertilization of fish ponds has not produced the desired results for several reasons:

33 1. The addition of fertilizer often produces aquatic plant growths of nuisance proportions. 2. Such increase in plant growth increases the chance of winter or summer kill. 3. Fertilization is expensive and not justified unless there is a heavy harvest of fish. 4. Plankton blooms stimulated by the fertilizer reduce the aesthetic and recreational values of the pond. New farm ponds sometimes have clay basins and infertile watersheds and in the early years fertilization might increase the carrying capacity. For such ponds, fertilization may be practical. An inorganic fertilizer with a formula such as 8-8-2, 10-6-4, or 20-20-5 can be used. These fertilizers are applied in shallow water at the rate of 100 pounds per surface acre for the first two formula- tions and 40 pounds per surface acre for the last. Similar applications should be added every two or three weeks through the plant growing season (April through September) until a "bloom" is produced and the water becomes green. Ponds receiving some fertility from the watershed can be fertilized with superphosphate (18-20%) or triple superphosphate (46-52%) at the rate of 40 and 18 pounds per surface acre, respectively, on the schedule previously mentioned. Fertilizer is sometimes applied by placing it on one or more submerged platforms. These platforms, made of wood and anchored about 12 inches below the water surface near the shore, should be large enough so that they will hold the amount of fertilizer needed for each application. On small ponds, one to two platforms per acre should be sufficient. Wave action and water currents will dissolve the fertilizer and distribute it throughout the pond. Once such fertilization is begun, it is important that it be continued throughout the growing season at regular intervals. The total amount of fertilizer needed for an entire season should not be added at one time. Fertilization should produce a bloom of microscopic plants and animals which will provide food for small fish or for other fish food organisms. This higher production of fish food will increase the carrying capacity of the pond. If a dense bloom of plankton algae is produced, it will help block sunlight and retard the growth of submersed aquatic plants if that growth has not reached the water's surface when the fertilization program was undertaken in the spring.

TESTING A POND'S FISH POPULATION Dr. H. S. Swingle of Alabama has devised a method of testing fish populations in ponds with a minnow seine. This test should be made during late June and July on ponds that have been stocked two years or longer. Use a 1/4-inch mesh minnow seine 15 to 20 feet long and 4 to 6 feet deep. A few hauls with the minnow seine should be enough to determine the condition of the fish population:

34 Fish Collected by Seining Condition of Fish Population 1. No young bass present Desirable population but bass Many recently hatched crowded. bluegills No or few 3 to 5 inch bluegills RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: Harvest more bass to keep them from becoming overcrowded. 2. No young bass present Undersirable population with No recently hatched bluegills bluegills overcrowded. Many 3 to 5 inch bluegills - 10 ,40 RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: Use traps or seines to re- 474 r move the excess numbers of 3 to 5 inch bluegills. Check for and correct habitat problems such as excess clay turbidity or abundant vegetation. 3. No young bass present Undesirable population with No recently hatched bluegills bluegills overcrowded. Very Many 3 to 5 inch bluegills few bass in pond. Many tadpoles and/or minnow and/or crayfish RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: Remove the excess numbers of bluegills by trapping, and seining in the fall. This will provide greater opportunity for the survival of bass and fry the folow- ing spring. 4. No young bass present Undesirable fish population. No recent hatch of bluegills Crowding due to other fish. Few 3 to 5 inch bluegills competing with bluegills. RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: If undersirable fish are present they should be removed by draining the pond or chemically treating the water with rotenone and restocking with only bass and bluegill. 5. No young bass present Undersirable fish population Few 3 to 5 inch bluegills with overcrowding due to No recent hatch of bluegills green sunfish. Many 3 to 5 inch green sunfish RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: Green sunfish can be reduced in numbers by intensive trapping or seining. If their population is extremely large the pond should be drained or chemically treated and restocked with bass and bluegill. 6. Young bass present Desirable fish population. Many recently hatched bluegills Few 3 to 5 inch bluegills 7. Young bass present Desirable fish population. Many recently hatched bluegills Very few 3 to 5 inch bluegills 8. Young bass present Undesirable fish population No recent hatch of bluegills bluegills absent. No 3 to 5 inch bluegills RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: Stock the pond with bluegills at the rate of 200 adults (4 to 6 inches) per acre of water.

35 9. Young bass present Temporary desirable popula- No recent hatch of bluegills tion. Bluegills may have Few 3 to 5 inch bluegills competition. RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: If the competitive species of fish are undersirable, they can be removed by draining or chemical treatment, or reduced in numbers by fishing, trapping, or seining. 10. No game species present Undesirable fish population. Few to many carp, suckers, bullheads, shad or other undesirable species RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: Remove the undesirable fish by draining or chemical treatment of the water and restock with suitable fish. HOW TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF A FISH POPULATION FROM THE FISHERMAN'S CATCH The fisherman's catch can indicate the condition of a pond's fish population. If the fishing effort is sufficient to harvest the available species present, the following can be used to determine the condition of the fish population.

Fish Caught by Anglers Condition of Fish Population 1. Bluegills 6 inches and larger. Desirable fish population. Bass average from 1 to 2 pounds although smaller or larger sizes are also caught. 2. Principally small bluegill of Undesirable population with 3 to 5 inches in size. bluegills overcrowded. Very few bass are caught and when caught are larger than 2 pounds in size. RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: Use traps and seines to remove the excess numbers of 3 to 5 inch bluegill. Treatment of the shoreline with a fish toxicant. 3. Bluegills average in excess Undesirable population with of 0.3 pound. . bass overcrowded. Bass average less than 1 pound and are in poor condition. RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: Fish harder for bass. Keep all sizes caught. 4. Small crappie, sunfish, bull- Undesirable fish population. heads, carp, suckers, or other undesirable fish of any size. RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: Remove the undesirable fish population by draining or chemical treatment of the water and restock. Of the two methods described for determining the condition of the fish population, the fisherman's catch is probably the most reliable.

36 CORRECTING POOR FISHING Poor fishing in a pond can be corrected. If desirable fish are present but are undersized, then one or more of several management methods already described should correct the situation. If undesirable species or great numbers of stunted fish are present, it is necessary to restock with the recommended species. The undesirable fish can be removed by two methods: DRAINING: If the pond can be completely drained, the pond bottom should be left to dry for several weeks. If any water is left in the pond after draining, it should be treated chemically to assure a complete fish kill. CHEMICAL TREATMENT: If the pond does not have a drainpipe, it can be chemically treated to kill all of the fish. Such treatment must be done under the supervision of the Department of Conservation, Division of Fisheries. Five percent emulsifiable rotenone is a very effective fish toxicant. This chemical affects the respiratory system of fish by blocking the biochemical system involved in oxygen uptake. Rotenone affects all species of fish but is not harmful to man or other animals in the concentration recommended for fish eradication. The recommended rotenone concentration is 2 parts per million (0.656 gallon per acre foot of water). Determining Volume of Area to be Treated: The volume of water in the pond can be expressed in acre feet, which is calculated by multiplying the surface area in acres by the average depth in feet. If a pond covers 2 acres and has an average depth of 6 feet, it contains 12 acre feet of water. The average depth of most ponds is about half the maximum depth. The average depth of large ponds is determined by making soundings with a long pole or weighted rope marked off in feet. To calculate the acreage of an area, multiply the average length in feet by the average width in feet and divide by 43,560. If the pond is triangular in shape, multiply the Base length (dam) in feet times the total length (the height of the triangle) in feet and divide by two. The resulting figure is then divided by 43,560.

To determine the amount of rotenone needed, multiply the acre feet of water to be treated by the recommended chemical dosage required per acre foot of water. Treatment: The emulsifiable rotenone should be diluted with 3 to 10 parts of water for even distribution throughout the pond. This mixture is then sprayed over the surface from a boat. In applying the diluted rotenone, the shoreline and shallow water areas should receive a light treatment first. Then the deeper water areas should receive additional chemical so that the concentration throughout the pond will be as nearly uniform as possible. The rotenone solution may be applied with a small motor- powered sprayer or pump, orchard sprayer, hand pump sprayer or boat bailer. It is not nesessary to use a fine spray nozzle although this increases the efficiency of the operation in the shallow water areas. If sprayers are not available and the water area to be treated is small (not over two acres), the diluted achemical can be broadcast from a tub with a small pan or dipper.

37 A 5 to 10 horsepower outboard motor can be used to distribute the rotenone solution in a small pond. The motor is placed along the shore on a stand so that the prop wash will be directed toward the center of the pond and produce complete circulation of the water. After circulation has been established, diluted rotenone is discharged into the prop wash. The discharge rate and dilution are adjusted to produce a calculated concentration of 2 parts per million of rotenone in no less than one-half hour.

In ponds more than 20 feet in depth, the deep water should be treated first by pumping the chemical through a hose. Care must be taken to prevent the pond from overflowing for five days following treatment, or fish may be killed downstream. Usually, the spillway can be blocked or the pond drawn down a few feet before treatment. Time of Treatment: All rotenone treatment should be made when the water temperature is 70° F. or above. In llinois, the recommended time for treatment is late summer and early fall. Rotenone dissipates faster in warm water than in cold and is not usually lethal to fish after two weeks. Its residual toxicity depends on the water temperature, fertility, light, dissolved oxygen, water hardness, and turbidity. Behavior of Treated Fish: When the water temperature is about 70 to 80° F., fish will begin to react within a few minutes to a half hour from the time of treatment. The affected fish often come to the surface and swim rapidly or jump in an aimless manner. , <6 64 Death follows quickly. Some of the dead fish may sink to the

38 POND PROBLEMS

MUDDY WATER Muddy water retards the growth of game fish and causes poor fishing, for such fish must see to eat. Silt in water delays self- purification of the water and can suffocate fish eggs either by coating the eggs, which excludes oxygen, or by reducing the flow of oxygenated water over the eggs. Suspended silt can clog the gills of fish, conceal forage fish, and decrease the production of food organisms. The average total weight of fish which a pond can produce is usually five times greater in clear ponds than muddy ponds. Muddy water may be caused by soil erosion from overgrazed woods or cultivated crops in the watershed or from wind action along the shoreline, by bottom-feeding fish such as carp or bullheads, by livestock, or by suspensions of clay particles that will not settle. The clay suspensions require a special approach, for they are composed of very fine particules which have similar elec- trical charges and therefore repel each other and do not settle. Gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate) used at the rate of 12 pounds per 1,000 cubic feet of water (525 pounds per acre foot of water) will neutralize the charge of the particles and allow them to settle to the bottom. Green hay or dry straw will stimulate bacterial growth which in turn causes the particles to clump and settle. Agricultural lime has also been used with success. MUSKRATS Burrowing muskrats can cause the loss of a pond dam. They dig burrows about a foot below the water surface, sloping upward into the embankment for four to six feet so that their den chambers are above the water line. If such burrows penetrate a dam, the pond may follow. Muskrats can be discouraged by removing their source of food such as cattails and other emersed vegetation along the shoreline. Keeping the pond banks mowed will also limit their activities. The

39 dam can also be rip-rapped with rock extending from two feet up on the dam to three feet below the water line. However, if broken concrete is simply dumped along the face of the dam it may create natural cover that is highly attractive to muskrats. Muskrats can be trapped • during the open season. Or, they may be driven from the dam area by drilling holes at three or four foot intervals on the upstream face of the dam about two feet back from the water's edge. Extend the holes about two feet below the water line. Place four to five ounces of creosote, calcium carbide, or naphthaline in each hole and seal the holes with dirt or sod. When a digging muskrat comes in contact with the treated zone, he will usually leave the area. CRAYFISH Some species of crayfish may build burrows that will cause leaks in a dam. Any insecticide placed in the burrow and sealed with sod or dirt will usually kill the crayfish. Since most insecticides are toxic to fish, care should be taken not to place any in the pond. A simple crayfish poison can be made by dissolving a dozen mothballs in a gallon of kerosene and then adding two gallons of warm water and a tablespoon of detergent. A cupful of this mixture is placed in each burrow and the burrow is sealed. Another treatment consists of four ounces of chloride of lime dissolved in three quarts of water. One to two ounces of this solution are added to each burrow. Or, a lye solution consisting of eight teaspoons to one gallon of water may be used. Pour one cup of this solution into each burrow and then seal the burrow. Remember: not all crayfish are harmful to dams, and many species are an important food item for bass. TURTLES Turtles are common in Illinois ponds, and they can become a nuisance by stealing fish from stringers or stealing baits. If snapping turtles are present, they may capture small ducks that hatch around the pond. The total diet of most turtles is usually 80 percent vegetable matter, about 17 percent animal matter and less than 3 percent fish. Turtles do not harm fish populations and some kinds are good to eat. The pond owner may wish to trap the turtles. Illus- trated in this section are several types of turtle traps that can be easily constructed. Traps should be set in shallow weedy areas and baited with fish or fish heads, chicken entrails, watermelon rind, or fresh meat. Turtle traps should be visited daily to remove the turtles caught, especially if they are to be eaten. Turtles may be trapped in the spring, summer, and early fall. Turtles can also be clobbered with short, stout bank lines and large hooks (no sinkers) baited with tough neck beef. A dozen of these lines appear to be sufficient to control the snappers in a 1.5 acre pond in only two to four nights. If a turtle is to be eaten, it should be killed by cutting off the head. Hang by the tail so the carcass will bleed out. There are two methods of dressing turtles for table use.

40 Method 1. Dip the turtle in boiling water for 10 minutes. The upper and lower shells will then pull apart. Cut the meat from the top shell and then skin the legs, neck and tail and remove the rest of the meat. Method 2. Turn the turtle on its back and cut through the skin of each of the legs where the skin is attached to the shell. Then, pull the skin over each leg and release it by cutting where it is attached at the toes. Cut through the suture holding the bottom and top shells together. Remove the bottom shell by cutting the meat underneath. Remove the meat from the top shell. Turtle meat may be prepared as a soup, as fried turtle, or boiled with vegetables as a stew. The meat of snappers and soft shells is excellent. FISH KILLS Many things can cause the death of fish in ponds — and when the fish are dying it is usually too late to stop the kill. How- ever, many fish kills can be anticipated, and measures taken to prevent them. 1. Winter Kill Cause: During winter, oxygen supply under the ice depends upon the passage of light and the production of oxygen by tiny plants in the water. If snow covers the ice, sunlight cannot penetrate and the plants produce no oxygen. The supply of oxygen is gradually used up by decay processes and by the respiration of fishes and other aquatic animals. If the snow remains on the ice long enough, oxygen is depleted and the fish suffocate. Winter kill is most likely to occur in fertile, shallow, weed-filled ponds. Effect: Fish die from suffocation, and the dead fish are usually found in the spring after the ice melts. However, if the kill occurs early in the winter, there may be few, if any, dead fish ob- served when the pond opens in the spring. Prevention: Deepening the pond, and removing fertile organic matter, will help. Removing the snow cover from the ice will permit light to penetrate to the underlying plants. Chopping holes in the ice will not help. 2. Summer Kill (Aquatic Plant Die-Off) Cause: Ponds that contain an abundance of submersed aquatic plants or algae sometimes have a fish kill when these plants die suddenly from natural causes or from herbicides. Aquatic plants frequently die during midsummer and use up the oxygen in the water as they decay. This type of summer kill almost always occurs about sunrise when the dissolved oxygen is at its low point for the day. Natural die-offs of phytoplankton blooms are a common cause of summer kill.

41 Effect: Fish suffocate from a lack of dissolved oxygen in the water. On rare occasions fish may die or be in distress in mid-afternoon because of increased alkalinity of water or supersaturation of oxygen (gas bubble disease). Prevention: Control the rooted aquatic vegetation and algae so that it never becomes dense. If the stand is dense, treat only a part of it at any one time and allow that part of the vegetation to decay before further treatment. 3. Summer Kill (Temperature) Cause: Water temperature in shallow ponds may reach 85° to 95° F. during hot summer months. Water holds very little oxygen when its temperature is above 80° F. On quiet or still days with little breeze little or no oxygen is added to the water; during the nights the dissolved oxygen may disappear entirely.

Effect: Fish die from lack of oxygen.

Prevention: Deepen the pond so that 25 percent of the area is 7 to 10 feet deep or deeper. 4. Organic Pollution Cause: Barnyard, feedlot, silo, and sewage drainage that consumes oxygen as it decays, quickly depleting the oxygen content of the pond. *111 1 Effect: 4,rot 00 I 4\AR* Fish die from lack of oxygen. Fish kills from organic pollution often occur after a rain has washed quantities of these materials - 47 into the pond. Prevention: Prevent all organic wastes from entering ponds by the use of tiling, leveling, and diversion ditches. 5. Insecticides Cause: Farm crops on the watersheds of ponds are often sprayed with such insecticides as DDT, aldrin, toxaphene, chloradane, and dieldrin. Rain may wash this material into the pond and readily cause a fish kill.

Effect: Fish die from direct effect of the insecticide.

Prevention: Exercise caution in the selection of insecticides and in the time of treatment. 6. Natural Mortality Cause: In the spring a few large fish may be found dead along the

42 shoreline. Such mortalities are often the result of natural causes. The natural resistance of fish to disease is lower in the early spring than at any other time of the year. Larger fish often seem to be more susceptible to disease than smaller fish or, such mortality may be simply a matter of old age. Most warmwater fish do not live longer than four to eight years. Prevention: None. 7. Explosions Cause: Explosives set off in the water will kill fish in the immediate area. Fish killed by concussion usually sink because their air bladders are ruptured. They do not float until bloated, which may be several days later. Prevention: Do not use explosives in water.

8. Industrial and Mining Wastes Cause: Many industrial wastes are toxic which kill fish directly. Other industrial wastes are organic, consuming dissolved oxygen and killing fish by oxygen depletion. Mining wastes kill fish by the direct effects of acids and sulphur compounds. Prevention: Prevent the wastes from mines and industrial plants from entering the pond by leveeing and diversion ditches.

FISH DISEASES Fish are subject to various types of diseases, parasites, and abnormal growths. Such ailments appear and spread most frequently when nutrition is low and when fish are crowded, as in a fish hatchery. Fish diseases are most likely to appear in spring when the fish are generally in poor condition following winter. In the wild, fish diseases are not usually epidemic. Most fish diseases and parasites are not harmful to man if the fish flesh is properly cooked before being eaten. There are no practical methods for the control of fish diseases occurring in the wild, but under hatchery conditions most diseases can often be treated satisfactorily. The more common fish diseases and parasites include:

VIRUS DISEASE Lymphocystis is a white or yellowish wart-like growth that appears on the fins or body of fish. It is more commonly found on crappie, bluegill and bass.

BACTERIAL DISEASE Columnarius appears as grayish-white spots or lesions on the head, gills, fins and other parts of the body of fish. Catfish are more susceptible to this disease than scaled fish. Aeromonas appears as shallow grayish or red circular ulcers on the body. This disease may also cause the fish to have a dis-

43 tended abdomen filled with slightly opaque or bloody fluid (Dropsy) This disease sometimes follows infection association with the presence of external parasites.

FUNGUS DISEASE Fungus diseases are water molds that occur on the bodies of fish and also affect fish eggs. Saprolegnia is the most common fungus disease and appears as fuzzy gray threads which radiate from the body of the fish.

PROTOZOA Protozoa are one-celled animals. One of the most common protozoan diseases is Icthyophthirius, called "Ich" or "White Spot Disease". It appears as small, grayish-white swellings on the body and fins. When the fish is heavily infected, these swellings merge into one another forming irregular light colored patches. Sunfish and catfish are very susceptible to this disease. WORM PARASITES Many worm parasites spend part of their life cycle in one or two animals other than fish. The adult worm may live in a bird's intestine, depositing eggs that enter the water with the bird feces. The eggs hatch and young larvae invade the flesh of a snail or copepod. Here they develop further, leave the animal, and finally enter the flesh of fish where they encyst to form grubs. When the fish is

eaten by a fish-eating bird, the grubs develop into adult worms inside the bird, and the cycle begins again. The common type of para- sitic worms found in fish are:

GYRODACTYLUS The affected surfaces are covered with a bluish-gray slime affecting primarily the dorsal and tail fins. The fins may become frayed and worn down to stubs. This disease is more pronounced during the fall and winter.

DACTOLOGYRUS This parasite affects the gills of fish and is similar in appearance to Gyrodactylus.

44 BASS TAPEWORM ( Protecocephalus) The larvae of the bass tapeworm live in the intestines and reproductive organs and can cause the bass to be emaciated and sterile. Once this parasite becomes prevalent in a pond, the only measure is to remove all fish and restock with parasite-free bass. The secondary host of this parasite is a copepod which is consumed by bluegill or small bass. The adult tapeworm develops in the bass intestinal tract after the infected bluegill or small bass is eaten by still another bass.

WHITE GRUB OF LIVER ( Posthodiplostomun I One stage in the life cycle of this parasite commonly infects the liver, kidney, spleen, heart and reproductive organs of sunfishes. The life cycle of this worm includes such hosts as a heron and a snail. Heavy infections may contribute to natural mortality.

BLACK GRUB • (Urdifer) • This parasite appears as black spots in the flesh of fish. The • • • life cycle of this worm includes a fish eating bird and a snail as • • • • hosts. •

WHITE OR YELLOW GRUB (Clinostomum) This parasite appears as white or yellow spots in the flesh of fish and has the same life cycle as that of the black grub.

ANNELID WORMS LEECHES (Pisicola) Leeches are commonly found in ponds; they frequently attach themselves to fish on the fins and in the mouth. This is not a serious parasite.

CRUSTACEANS (Copepods) ANCHOR WORM (Learnea ) This is a small white parasite that attaches itself to the body of fish by burrowing its head in the flesh. It causes a small lesion which may be surrounded by a patch of fungus. The worm re- sembles a shaft of a small barb inserted into the flesh.

GILL LICE (Salcononicola) This copepod infects the gills of fish. It is white and about the size of a grain of rice.

FISH LICE (Argulus) This copepod is a round tan parasite that grows to be about

1/2 inch in diameter and usually infests the gills and body.

45 DEEP PONDS WITH COLD WATER There are many deep ponds in Illinois whose waters remain "thermally stratified" in summer — sharply separated in layers of varying temperatures. These ponds have cold water at depths below four to six feet. Because the water is cold, some fishermen believe that these deep ponds will support trout, walleye, northern

■•••4 ••••4

pike, or muskellunge. However, these fish need more than just cool water. They must have oxygen, and most Illinois ponds do not contain oxygen in the deep colder waters during the summer months because of the oxygen consumed by organic decomposition. Below are listed some of the common coldwater and coolwater fish and requirements for their survival and propagation. Lakes in Illinois that are suitable for these species are extremely rare.

46 WALLEYE 1. The water area should be large (1,000 acres or more) and should be subject to wind action. 2. The lake should have oxygen at all depths. 3. Coarse gravel, sand bars, rocky reefs or connecting streams are required for walleye spawning. 4. A large mayfly population is needed in the lake as an important part of the walleye food supply.

NORTHERN PIKE AND MUSKELLUNGE 1. The lake should have a surface of 40 acres or more. 2. Water depth should be 20 feet or more. 3. The lake should have oxygen present at all depths. 4. The water should be clear and clean. 5. A slough or marsh area must be connected to the lake for spawning purposes. This slough should be dry during the summer months with sedges and reeds growing in it. In the spring, near spawning time, this slough must flood with water three to four feet in depth for the breeding fish.

TROUT (RAINBOW, BROWN, BROOK, LAKE) 1. Water temperature should not exceed 70° F. 2. At least 5 parts per million of dissolved oxygen must be present at all depths at all times. 3. Surface springs flowing into the pond are desirable. Un- derground springs in the basin of the lake are not satisfactory because they do not add oxygen to the deep water areas where it is needed. 4. The water must be clean and clear. There must be no silt or pollution entering the water area. 5. Water area should be shaded during the summer months to help maintain cooler water temperatures. 6. Trout will not reproduce in a pond and must be stocked periodically.

47 MINNNI S 51)coEzNETINis i

USING THE LITTLE POND Some Illinois ponds are too small or too shallow to maintain a game fish population. Owners of such ponds often desire to stock them with fish for limited fishing or they may desire to raise bait minnows. These ponds can be utilized for such purposes, but require intensive care. SMALL PONDS FOR FOOD FISH Small, shallow ponds stocked with channel catfish or bul- heads that are fed artificially will produce a limited amount of food fish. These ponds should not be stocked with more than 2,000 fingerling bullheads or catfish per surface acre, and the stocking rate should be reduced in proportion to the pond size if the pond is less than one acre. The fish must be fed daily with commercial fish food (obtainable from feed supply stores) at the rate of about 3 percent of the body weight of the fish in the pond. This rate may vary from 3 to 35 pounds per day per 2,000 catfish. (See section on Dollars In Your Pond.) When the fish reach desirable size, they can be harvested by seining or draining the pond. SMALL PONDS FOR BAIT MINNOWS Owners of ponds too small for sport fishery management could easily stock with minnows to provide a bait source for friends and personal use. Fisherman are increasing each year, and so is the demand for live bait. The propagation of live bait can be profitable business if suitable water is available, if proper methods are used in production, and if there is a good outlet for the sale of the bait. BAIT MINNOWS Many species can be raised in ponds. These ponds should include drainpipes so the water can be lowered to harvest the

48 minnow crop. A source of water to refill the ponds in a short period of time is desirable. Ponds constructed for bait minnow culture are similar to those intended for sport fishing. A concrete catch basin installed in the bottom of the pond near the drainpipe is useful for holding the minnows when the pond is drained. Ponds should be deep enough so that minnows can survive the winter months. No other species of fish should be present in ponds being used for minnow production.

In minnow production, direct feeding or artificial fertilization of the water at regular intervals is necessary to obtain maximum yield. Fertilization is described in the section on "Managing The Pond".

The minnows are harvested by seining, trapping with glass or wire traps, or dip netting. Grading of the fish into size groups is necessary where minnows of certain sizes are wanted for various types of fishing. Tanks supplied with cool, aerated water are necessary to grade and hold fish. Trucks equipped with aerated tanks are required when minnows are to be delivered to dealers. Management techniques required in commercial bait minnow production include weed control, disease control, and predator control.

Many bait dealers restrict their minnow trade to several pop- ular species that are easy to manage and identify:

t o 1 i f a stt f , S I 11 I

GOLDEN SHINER ( Notemiyonus Crysoleucas) Habitat: Ponds, lakes, and streams.

Reproduction: Eggs are adhesive and laid in algae or pond weeds. Spawning takes place when water temperature is 68 F. and continues all summer long. Golden shiners reproduce at one year of age. Their eggs hatch in about four days.

Food: Insects, plankton, algae, and newly hatched fry.

Growth Rate: Rapid —three inches in six months.

Stocking Rate: 200 400 adults per surface acre. Production: Up to 200,000 minnows per acre with fertilization.

Special Requirements: Masses of filamentous algae for spawning.

Bait Use: Northern pike and bass.

49 *104 tiimMi*ina4itism-by 11..)1mAysvi*

FATHEAD MINNOW (Thulepliales Promelas) Habitat: Small ponds. Reproduction: Eggs are attached to underside of rocks, boards, etc. Spawning takes place at 65° F. and continues all summer long. The eggs hatch in four to six days. The fish spawn when two inches long. Adults die shortly after spawning. Food: Phytoplankton, zooplankton and insects. Growth Rate: Two inches in three months. Stocking Rate: 500 — 700 adults and immature fish per surface acre. Production: 200,000 per acre maximum with fertilization. Special Requirements: Rip-rap banks, spawning boards, or tiles for spawning. Bait Use: Crappie, walleye, bass and panfish.

BLUNTNOSE MINNOW (Piniephales Notatus) Habitat: Small ponds. Reproduction: Eggs attached to underside of stones and logs. Spawning takes place at 70° F. and continues all summer long. Eggs hatch in 7 to 14 days. The fish spawn when three to four inches long. Food: Insects, crustaceans, and phytoplankton. Growth Rate: Two inches in three months. Stocking Rate: 2,000 adults per surface acre. Production: 100,000 fish per acre maximum with fertilization. Special Requirements: Rip-rap banks and spawning boards for spawning purposes. Bait Use: Crappie, bass, and walleye.

50 DOLLARS IN YOUR POND

FEE FISHING AREAS Pond owners may wish to charge a fee for fishing. To do so, a special license must be obtained from the Department of Con- servation for operating a "Daily Fee Fishing Area". Ponds managed specifically for largemouth bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish do not usually provide the catch rate necessary for a profitable business. Successful fee fishing areas meet the following requirements: Location: The ponds should be easily located near a populated area (50,000 or more) on a main highway. Suitable Ponds: There should be several ponds available with sufficient water supply, adequate depth and preferably springs or wells that produce enough water for a constant overflow. Ponds three acres or larger seem to be more desirable. Fish Stocking: The ponds should be stocked to insure a good catch rate, which may require a ton or more of fish per acre of water. A source of supply of catchable size fish should be con- veniently located, for periodic restocking is necessary. Types of Fish: The species, size and stocking rate to maintain in fee ponds include the following: carp (3 to 5 lbs.) 1 ton per acre, bullheads (1/2 to 1 lb.) 100-500 pounds per acre, channel 1 catfish ( /2 to 2 lbs.) 100-500 ponds per acre, trout (1 lb. ±) 1 50-100 pounds per acre, and large mouth bass ( /2 lb. +) 50-100 pounds per acre. Facilities: Desirable facilities for the fishermen using the area include lunch and beverage service with concessions for tackle and bait, boats, chairs, shade, picnicking and camping grounds, fishing piers and platforms, parking areas, fish cleaning tables, restrooms, freezing lockers, lodging, outboard motor and boat ramps.

51 FISH ALL DAY 3.0O

Fees: The fees charged will depend on the type of fish available Most successful areas operate with a daily fee which includes a catch limit of a specified number or weight of fish. The daily fee may vary from $0.50 to $3.00 with no guarantee of any fish being caught. The success of any fee fishing area is related to the anglers success in catching fish of suitable size. The most desirable policy of many fee areas is the sale of a fishing opportunity and not the sale of a certain number of fish. The fisherman is willing to pay for the number of fishing opportun- ities that he is guaranteed. FOOD FISH Channel catfish may be grown in ponds for commercial sale to restaurants and fish markets. Fingerling fish are stocked and fed pelleted fish food regularly so that they reach a marketable 11/4 1 size of to 1 /2 pounds within a year. The following general methods for channel catfish production are recommended: 1. Stocking: Ponds should be free of all species of fish before stocking with fingerling channel catfish (3 to 4 inches) at the rate of 2,000 per acre. Ponds smaller than one-half acre are not recommended because of limited production potential. It is best to stock the ponds in early fall or early in the spring. 2. Disease Treatment: Before stocking the fingerling channel catfish, they should be treated to prevent any outbreak of disease in the pond. They can be placed in a solution of 10 parts per million of potassium permanganate for one hour and then washed with fresh water. This treatment should be followed by placing the fish in a solution of 15 parts per million of formalin for 5 to 12 hours and then in one part per million acriflavin solution for 5 to 12 hours before releasing in the pond. However, these treatments will not control "Ich" or white spot disease. If at all possible, purchase fingerling catfish from a well-established dealer who can provide healthy, disease-free fish. 3. Feeding: Commercial pelleted fish food (obtainable at many feed stores) should be fed daily at the rate of 3 percent of the body weight of the fish in the pond. As the weight of the fish

52 increases, the rate of feeding must also be increased. If 2,000 fingerling catfish are held in a one-acre pond at the beginning of the growing season (April), 3 to 4 pounds of food per day will be required the first month. By the end of the growing season (October) 35 pounds of food per acre per day may be required. The pond owner should seine his pond once a month to determine the average weight increase of the fish and adjust daily feeding rates. Care should be taken not to overfeed. This could result in a buildup of decaying organic material and increase the possibility of oxygen depletion and subsequent fish kill. The fish should not be fed during the winter or when the water temperature is below 50° F. The following schedule can used as a guide for feeding 2,000 channel catfish in one acre of water:

Pounds of Pelleted Food To Be Fed Per Month Acre Per Day (Six Days Per Week) Stocked as 3 to 4 In. Stocked as 6 to 8 In. Fingerling Fingerling April 3 to 4 6 to 8 May 6 to 8 12 to 16 June 9 to 12 18 to 24 July 12 to 16 24 to 32 August 18 to 24 36 to 48 September 21 to 27 42 to 54

It is best to feed the fish at a specific location and time each day. In a one-acre pond, one location should be satisfactory. The food should be broadcast in a wide arc in order to distribute it over the water. 4. Pond Management: Aquatic plants should be controlled throughout the growing season. 5. Harvesting the Crop: At the end of the growing season the pond can be drained and the fish harvested by seining. The fish are dressed and sold to markets and restaurants (forty percent of the weight of the fish is lost when it is dressed). The pond owner should be able to raise 1,500 to 2,000 pounds (live weight) of fish per acre during one year with survival rate of at least 90 percent of the original stocking. A net profit of $100 to over $135 per acre can be realized depending upon labor, food costs and retail prices. FROG FARMING The main sources of income from frogs are hunting and selling wild frogs for food (bullfrog, green frog, and leopard frog) and selling breeding frogs and instructions for frog propagation to potential frog farmers. Some Illinois pond owners are interested in propagating frogs commercially, but it has not been proven successful here. The growing season for frogs in Illinois is so short that it takes three to four years to raise them to maturity. There isn't usually enough food for adults and tadpoles to rear frogs in great numbers, and there is often a high death rate among the immature frogs. Crowded adult frogs are highly subject to disease. In addition to all these problems, the frog farmer would have to fence his pond to keep

53 predators out and the frogs in, and no largemouth bass could be present in the pond because they would prey upon the tadpoles and young frogs. The life cycle of the bullfrog is representative of that for most pond frogs. From late April to August while the female lays eggs in the shallow water, the male fertilizers them. Several thousand eggs are laid in a jelly-like mass and adhere to vegetation or debris.

In less than a week the eggs hatch and a tadpole emerges. The tadpole grows going through different stages of development including development of external gills, internal gills, and gradually METAMORPHOSIS into a frog with legs and lungs developing. This cycle for the bullfrog may take one to two summers to complete. The frog will become sexually mature in about three to four years. Persons desiring more information on frogs and frog farming can refer to the reference list under frogs. The common frogs found in and around Illinois ponds include:

1. POND INHABITING SPECIES: Common Name Distribution Bullfrog State Wide Leopard frog State Wide Green frog Northern and Southern Illinois Cricket frog State Wide 2. POND BREEDING FROGS AND TOADS: Common Name Distribution American toad Northern half of Illinois Fowler's toad Southern half of Illinois Gopher frog Southern half of Illinois 3. WOODLAND POND BREEDING FROGS AND TOADS: Common Name Distribution Spring peeper State wide Gray treefrog State wide Wood frog Northeastern and Southern Illinois

54 Methods of Capture: Wild frogs are captured by use of a hook and line attached to a long pole and baited with worms, insects or red cloth. Some are speared with a gig, or caught by hand at night when the frogs are dazed by bright light. Frog gigging is employed by many persons.

POND SAFETY Since farm pond recreation includes fishing, swimming, boat- ing and ice skating, it must also include effective safety measures. The Federal Soil Conservation Service recommends that pond owners:

55 1. Place life saving equipment near the pond, including a life ring with an attached rope of 100 feet in length and a long pole.

2. Place warning signs near danger areas and deep water areas; indicate locations of life-saving equipment and the nearest telephone; mark overhanging banks, steep slopes, and caving banks. 3. Be sure that all boats used on the pond are in good condition, used properly, and never overloaded. There should be an approved life preserver for each person in a boat. 4. Mark off safe swimming areas if swimming is permitted. 5. When the pond is used for ice skating or ice fishing during the winter, the following characteristics of ice and load limits are important: A. Slush ice is about one-half as strong as clear blue ice. B. Removal of snow from ice will usaully increase ice thickness during freezing temperatures. C. Safe ice for skating and ice fishing covering 24 hour periods are as follows:

Temperature 0°-30° F. 30°40° F. 40°-50° F. Single Person 1.75 inches 2.75 inches 6 inches Couples 2 75 inches 3.75 inches 8 inches Crowds 3.75 inches 4.75 inches 12 inches The above figures are for clear blue ice.

56 SOME POND AND FISH FACTS 1. Screens are not necessarily needed on spillways of ponds. Screens quickly clog with leaves and algae, causing the water to rise and endanger the dam. Most large fish will not leave a pond when water is running over the spillway. The loss of larger numbers of small fishes is generally not harmful to the fishery in the pond unless such a loss occurs continuously. However, some ponds with improperly constructed spillways may need screens to keep undesirable fish from entering the pond when water is overflowing 2. When bluegills or other sunfish are overpopulated and crowded, they prey on bass eggs and fry and prevent bass from reproducing successfully. 3. Birds do not stock ponds with fish. Fish eggs eaten by birds are quickly digested. Eggs that cling to the bodies or feet of birds would not survive a long flight through the air. Fish eggs die quickly when they dry.

57 4. Fish have been found in corn fields or streets after a heavy rain but it does not rain fish. These fish swam there from nearby creeks or ponds during high water and later became stranded. Cyclonic winds have been known to suck up water and fish from ponds and lakes and scatter the fish over fields. However, this rarely happens. 5. When fish seem to appear miraculously in an isolated pond, intense investigation will reveal that someone stocked the pond — and it wasn't birds or rain. 6. Most warmwater game fish do not live much longer than six to eight years in the central and southern states.

7. The carp is the largest member of the minnow family in Illinois and was introduced into the State in 1879 from Germany. 8. Large fish are found more often in shallow water during the spring and fall and in the cooler deep water during the summer. 2ND ANNULUS 9. The best hours for catching fish are the early morning and late afternoon during the normal fishing season. 10. The age of fish can be determied by counting the growth rings of scales, or growth rings in certain bones of scaleless fish. 11. A fish is sensitive to sound vibrations and can "hear" in the water. It has no ears, but "hears" with its air bladder and the line of nerve cells (lateral line) that extends down a fish's side. 1ST ANNULUS 12. Fish have nostrils and can smell. The barbels of catfish act as taste organs. 13. Some fish "sleep" by remaining quiet on the bottom during the night. Others, such as catfish, are most active and feed primarily at night. 14. Many fish can change their color to match their surround- ings for protection. The fish see changes in color and expand or contract pigment cells in the skin. Blind trout, unable to see color, become black. 15. It is not necessary to wet your hands before handling A .e■cz.4 •47,4 li fish that are to be returned to the water unharmed. 16. Fish can detect color independent from shape but this discrimination has very little to do with feeding habits. 17. If a pair of large bass (one male and one female) were , placed in a one-acre pond with an average depth of five feet rist,,t0D where they produced a normal number of young (20,000), and if all the offspring survived for three generations (considering that only 1/ of the offspring (female) would lay eggs), about 2 billion 24 2 LEE ;.=.1 fish would result. If these fish average one pound each, there would be 2 billion pounds of bass in the pond. The described pond would contain about 14 million pounds of water. From this one pair of bass with complete survival of fish for three generations, the fish would not only completely replace the water but would be piled about 715 feet above the original level of the pond. 18. Illinois has 212 species of fish representing 74 genera and 29 families. Of these, 177 species representing 69 genera and 27 families have been collected and positivly identified during the past five years.

58 MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR FISH STOCKING The Division of Fiseries has stocked fish in thousands of new ponds and lakes throughout the state. Generally, owners and other interested persons ask about the future of sport fishing in these new waters. Our experience in stocking has shown that certain standards must be met if a desirable fish population is to be developed: 1. There must be no fish life present in the water area at the time of stocking. 1 2. The water area must be /2 acre or more in surface area. 3. The depth, dependent on latitude, must be 7 to 9 feet in one-fourth of the water area. Southern Illinois — 7 feet Central Illinois — 8 feet Northern Illinois — 9 feet 4. A reasonable amount of fishing must be allowed by the owner. This does not mean the area is opened to the public but may be fished by permission only. The owner, at all times, has control of the area and determines the extent to which he allows individuals to trespass on his property.

59 5. The owner and/or interested parties must have a definite desire to follow recognized fisheries management practices. 6. Fish will not be provided for water areas where usage fees are required of anglers. 7. There must be no barnyard drainage or other pollution entering the water area. 8. The water area must be fenced from all livestock when practical. 9. If there is any severe erosion of the watershed or shoreline, a sound program of soil conservation must be under- way to correct the situation. 10. There must not be excessive brush or trees in the water area. ONLY FINGERLING SIZE FISH WILL BE FURNISHED BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION. Applications received before August 1 will qualify for fish stocking within the same year. If the application is received after August 1, the stocking will be made the following year. Manage- ment information and applications for fish stocking may be obtained from the County Conservation Officer, Soil Conservation Service, Farm Adviser, District Fishery Biologist, or the Department of Con- servation in Springfield, Illinois.

REFERENCE LIST In a publication of this type it is impossible to discuss all details of fishery management. More detailed information can be found in the foll-Owing references:

60 KINDS OF FISHES AND THEIR IDENTIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION The Fishes of Illinois by S. A. Forbes and R. E. Richardson; Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana, Illinois, 1920. Fishes of the Great Lakes Region by Carl L. Hubbs and Karl F. Lagler; Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, 1958. North American Game Fishes by Francisca Lamonte; Dubleday, Doran and Company, New York, 1946. Iowa Fish and Fishing by James R. Harland and E. B. Speaker, Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa, 1951. How to Know the Fresh Water Fishes by Samuel Eddy; Wm. C. Brown Company, Dubuque, Iowa, 1957. The Study of Fishes Made Simple by Eugene V. Mohr; Double- day and Company, Inc., Garden City, New York, 1962. The Life Story of the Fish by Brian Curtis; Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1961. Wondrous World of Fishes by Melville B. Grosvenor; National Geographic Society, Washington, D. C., 1965. The Fisherman's Encylopedia by Ira N. Gabrielson; The Stack- pole Company, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1963. Fish and Fishing by Maynard Reece; Meredith Press, Des Moines, Iowa, 1963. McClane's Standard Fishing Encyclopedia by A. J. McClane; Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1965. The Fishes by F. D. Ommanney; Life Nature Library, Time In- corporated, New York, 1965. What Fish Is This? by A. C. Lopinot; Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield, Illinois, 1966. POND CONSTRUCTION Fish Ponds for the Farm by Frank E. Edminster; Charles Scribners Sons, New York, 1947. Farm Ponds by P. A. Boving; University of Illinois, College of Agriculture, Urbana, Illinois, Circular 872, 1963. Small Lakes and Ponds, Their Construction and Care by James S. Allen and A. C. Lopinot; Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield, Illinois, 1960.

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT Management of Artificial Lakes and Ponds by George W. Bennett; Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1962.

Homemade Fishing by Verne E. Davison; The Stackpole Com- pany, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1953. Warm Water Ponds For Fishing by W. W. Neeley, Verne E. Davison and Lawrence V. Compton, Farmers Bulletin 2210, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., 1965.

61 Good Fishing, How to Maintain and Improve the Sport by R. W. Eschmeyer and George S. Fichter; Harper and Brothers, New York, 1959. Limnological Aspects of Recreational Lakes by Kenneth M. Mackenthun, William Marcus Ingram and Ralph Porges; U. S. De- partment of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, D. C., 1964.

BAIT AND FISH PROPAGATION Raising Bait Fishes by John Dobie, 0. Lloyd Neehean, S. F. Snieszko and George N. Washburn; U. S. Government Printing Office, Circular 35, Washington, D. C., 1956. Culture and Diseases of Game Fishes by H. S. Davis; Univer- sity of California Press, Berkeley, California, 1953. AQUATIC VEGETATION CONTROL Aquatic Weeds, Their Identification and Methods of Control by A. C. Lopinot; Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield, Illinois, 1965.

Improving Sport Fishing by Control of Aquatic Weeds by Eugene W. Surber; Circular 128, U. S. Department of Interior, Washington, D. C., 1961. FROGS The Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois by Philip W. Smith; Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana, Illinois, Bulletin Volume 28, Article 1, 1961. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern North America by Roger Conant; Peterson Field Guide Series, Houghton Milfflin Company, Boston, Mass., 1958. Frogs and Toads of Missouri by Eugene Schroeder and Thomas S. Baskett Missouri Conservation Department, Jefferton City, Mis- souri, 1965. Amphibians of Illinois by Paul W. Parmalee; Illinois State Mu- seum, Springfield, Illinois, Story of Illinois Series No. 10, 1954. Frog Raising — U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D. C., Fishery Leaflet 436, 1965. Bullfrog Farming and Frogging in Florida — State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee, Florida, Bulletin 56, 1952.

FISH FARMING Fish Farming by William M. and Sue D. Lewis; Southern Illi- nois University Press; Carbondale, Illinois (In Press).