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The Right Fish For Your Pond
Summer fish kills could be a sign that your pond is not designed for that species.
Pond Size and Depth
Ponds ranging in size from 1/4 acre to several acres can provide satisfactory sportfishing. Ponds less than 1/4 acre in size will not provide adequate amounts of natural food or cover to support a healthy sportfish population. Pond depth depends on the climatic conditions. In areas where freezing weather is common ponds must be deeper in order to avoid the possibility of winterkill. At least 1/3 of the pond should have a depth of 6 feet or more. Ponds used for irrigation, livestock watering, and other high consumption uses, or those with intermittent water sources and high evaporation rates, should be deeper than 6 feet. Although shallow water areas serve as spawning and nursery sites for sportfish, they readily become weed-choked. To prevent excessive growth of nuisance water plants, shallow areas should be more than 2 feet deep.
Water Temperature
Water temperature plays a critical role in determining what kinds of sportfish can survive in a particular pond. In general, freshwater fish can be separated into three groups based on temperature preferences. Coldwater species, which include brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout, thrive at high altitudes or in cold climates where the average surface water temperature is below 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) during the warmest months. Warmwater fishes such as largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, and channel catfish can survive at water temperatures of 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) or higher and are almost never killed by high water temperatures alone. Coolwater fish, which prefer an intermediate temperature range of 70 degrees to 80 degrees F, include smallmouth bass, rockbass, walleye, northern pike, and pickerel. It is extremely important to match water temperature and the fish species to be stocked.
Author: L.A. Helfrich,
Extension Fisheries Specialist;
and B.R. Murphy, Professor of Fisheries Management,
Virginia Tech
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