Pond and Lake Management Thread

[Sippy]

About 1/2 of our time is spent managing ponds and lakes, treating aquatic vegetation, and managing specifically for fisheries.

What projects do you have planned for this year? I will post some of our client's projects as the spring warmup brings more vegetation and a great time to get out on the water.





Environmentalsolutions.com
-Michael

[TexasLongball]

I'm trying to talk my mom's husband into getting some bluegill for their pond. We've been trying like heck to get as many crappie out as possible but we'll never get rid of them in a 3-ish acre pond. It only took me 4 years to convince him to actively manage his pond.
I went up there last weekend and caught (30) skinny crappie and (20) 10-12" bass. He wouldn't let me get rid of the bass. Too many mouths and not enough food.

[The BARn]

We've been stocking up on water bottles for the project below.


Here's a quick video of how we made and installed them

https://nam04.safelinks.protection.o...amp;reserved=0

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by TexasLongball

I'm trying to talk my mom's husband into getting some bluegill for their pond. We've been trying like heck to get as many crappie out as possible but we'll never get rid of them in a 3-ish acre pond. It only took me 4 years to convince him to actively manage his pond.
I went up there last weekend and caught (30) skinny crappie and (20) 10-12" bass. He wouldn't let me get rid of the bass. Too many mouths and not enough food.

Unfortunately that is very common. It is hard to convince people to cull bass, but there isn't a way around it if you want to produce trophy bass.

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

Unfortunately that is very common. It is hard to convince people to cull bass, but there isn't a way around it if you want to produce trophy bass.

Need to do a big fish clean out of our 1/2 acre pond...its just got a mix of bass, sunfish of all kinds, and crappie. I know corrective stocking is essentially impossible to do. Do you guys use rotenone? Any other methods of getting as many of the mouths out of the pond as possible?

Know it can't be a "trophy" pond, but would like to be better than catching a bunch of 7" skinny bass for the kids and their buddies.

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

Need to do a big fish clean out of our 1/2 acre pond...its just got a mix of bass, sunfish of all kinds, and crappie. I know corrective stocking is essentially impossible to do. Do you guys use rotenone? Any other methods of getting as many of the mouths out of the pond as possible?

Know it can't be a "trophy" pond, but would like to be better than catching a bunch of 7" skinny bass for the kids and their buddies.

We do when we are clearing an entire pond but really do not like doing it. The best method for targeted take is an electro fishing cull, but that can cost several thousand to do.

The best thing in terms of low cost is to have a big weekend with as many friends as you can get. Start catching and throw them in some grease!

[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

We do when we are clearing an entire pond but really do not like doing it. The best method for targeted take is an electro fishing cull, but that can cost several thousand to do.

The best thing in terms of low cost is to have a big weekend with as many friends as you can get. Start catching and throw them in some grease!

On our 15 acre lake we cull 16" or under and try to remove 300-400 or more per yr.

[TheHammer]

Watching this. I’m wanting to make crappie structures for a few of my spots. What are you fellas getting the best results from?

[FreedomFish20]

Originally Posted by TheHammer

Watching this. I’m wanting to make crappie structures for a few of my spots. What are you fellas getting the best results from?

i recommend using cedar if it is present on the property...bundling 3-4 small cedars (1-3inch diameter) wrapping them tight with Romex cable with a cement block. it provides good cover stays in place and helps clean up cedar around property.

[Sticks&Strings]

Originally Posted by FreedomFish20

i recommend using cedar if it is present on the property...bundling 3-4 small cedars (1-3inch diameter) wrapping them tight with Romex cable with a cement block. it provides good cover stays in place and helps clean up cedar around property.

Oh wow, I am going to do this for sure. Thx

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[breederbuck33]

PM sent

[Aggiehunter08]

This will be a good one to follow!

[The BARn]

H&H Spinners fished over "X-mas Tree" and Artificial Habitats

[The BARn]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

About 1/2 of our time is spent managing ponds and lakes, treating aquatic vegetation, and managing specifically for fisheries.

What projects do you have planned for this year? I will post some of our client's projects as the spring warmup brings more vegetation and a great time to get out on the water.





Environmentalsolutions.com
-Michael

What's your thoughts on "Tiger Bass"?

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by The BARn

What's your thoughts on "Tiger Bass"?

Same idea as the Camelot Belle to a point. The have a faster growth rate and are very aggressive feeders.

My thoughts, you better be ready to feed them.

[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

Same idea as the Camelot Belle to a point. The have a faster growth rate and are very aggressive feeders.

My thoughts, you better be ready to feed them.

We caught or first DD Camelot 4 yrs after stocking as a fingerling. They do grow fast

[Huntingfool]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

We caught or first DD Camelot 4 yrs after stocking as a fingerling. They do grow fast

Brandon - when you put your Floridas in how big were they? I put in 1.5 to 3 pounders - just curious how long it takes for them reach the 6-8 pound level? Also do you keep your feeder going during the winter months? Thanks

[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by Huntingfool

Brandon - when you put your Floridas in how big were they? I put in 1.5 to 3 pounders - just curious how long it takes for them reach the 6-8 pound level? Also do you keep your feeder going during the winter months? Thanks

They were fingerlings about 1-2” long. I am just starting to feed or will soon. If you have the food source they should put on 2lbs per yr with some growing faster

[JeffJ]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

We caught or first DD Camelot 4 yrs after stocking as a fingerling. They do grow fast

What size fingerlings did y’all put in?

[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by JeffJ

What size fingerlings did y’all put in?

we put in the 2-3" fingerlings. We Stocked 1000 of them. Way less than the recommended amount but we our goal was trophy lake.

[Sippy]

Here is a before and after of one algae treatment.

[Huntingfool]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

Here is a before and after of one algae treatment.

Just treated mine with the same results - you use Cuterine Plus?

Also just added 18 Floridas from Camelot Belle - 1.5 to 3 pounders - we shall see!

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by Huntingfool

Just treated mine with the same results - you use Cuterine Plus?

Also just added 18 Floridas from Camelot Belle - 1.5 to 3 pounders - we shall see!

Cutrine Plus

Feed those babies!

[Huntingfool]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

Cutrine Plus

Feed those babies!

I shut my feeder off during the winter - will the Floridas take feed this time of year?

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by Huntingfool

I shut my feeder off during the winter - will the Floridas take feed this time of year?

Bass won’t consume much feed anytime unless they are feeder trained. Feed the baitfish all year when adding Camelot’s… they will need it!

[huntmaster]

I sure hated it when they took Karmex off the market, it made my tank pretty.

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by huntmaster

I sure hated it when they took Karmex off the market, it made my tank pretty.

While it may have worked, there are many that are approved that work as well or better without the bad consequences of Karmex.

[Sticks&Strings]

Following. I'm nit ready yet as I need to get a house built first, but bought land with a 2 acre pond fed by a spring fed creek. Want to drain it, put in structure, get some vegetation growing on it, and let it fill back up. Seems like it is silting in and it is murky/muddy. I'd love cleat water

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[Looney Tatonka]

Ive got a spring fed tank that is several acres, used to be an incredible catfish tank. However, about 10-15 years ago, an oil company was doing some work in the area, and the tank got ruined (not sure how, just they were there during the time it changed). It is now the color of a pea soup. Green, cant see the bottom, everything is dead I assume.

What do we do to make this tank get back to normal?

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by Looney Tatonka

Ive got a spring fed tank that is several acres, used to be an incredible catfish tank. However, about 10-15 years ago, an oil company was doing some work in the area, and the tank got ruined (not sure how, just they were there during the time it changed). It is now the color of a pea soup. Green, cant see the bottom, everything is dead I assume.

What do we do to make this tank get back to normal?

I would begin with a water quality test to see if the cause can be determined. Sounds like a high nutrient load, but thats just from the picture i have in my head.

[Looney Tatonka]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

I would begin with a water quality test to see if the cause can be determined. Sounds like a high nutrient load, but thats just from the picture i have in my head.

Thanks for the response. Is this something I can just put in a glass mason jar and take somewhere, or is there a kit for me to buy, like a swimming pool tester?

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by Looney Tatonka

Thanks for the response. Is this something I can just put in a glass mason jar and take somewhere, or is there a kit for me to buy, like a swimming pool tester?

Sending you a PM.

[Looney Tatonka]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

Sending you a PM.

Pics I told you about....(Dont know why they rotated)

[Agdog]

Pretty broad question here but we’re starting a roughly 1 acre dig in SE Oklahoma this week. My hands are pretty full with our barn buildout but I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to get some structure and habitat in before we start taking on water. Is there a bare minimum/half a’d approach I can take given my limited time to commit to it? I drew out a rough idea of the area, need to look back on the depth we agreed on.

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by Agdog

Pretty broad question here but we’re starting a roughly 1 acre dig in SE Oklahoma this week. My hands are pretty full with our barn buildout but I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to get some structure and habitat in before we start taking on water. Is there a bare minimum/half a’d approach I can take given my limited time to commit to it? I drew out a rough idea of the area, need to look back on the depth we agreed on.

If those are cedars, cut and tie to a weight and place where you would like structure.

It is hard to put in too much habitat. If you have the time, you may consider some gravel for bluegill beds.

[Heath]

Originally Posted by Agdog

Pretty broad question here but we’re starting a roughly 1 acre dig in SE Oklahoma this week. My hands are pretty full with our barn buildout but I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to get some structure and habitat in before we start taking on water. Is there a bare minimum/half a’d approach I can take given my limited time to commit to it? I drew out a rough idea of the area, need to look back on the depth we agreed on.

Your goal over time should be 20-30% habit (natural or artificial). Natural will breakdown over time, but is cheap and available in most cases.

[Willie_P]

Following this one.

[Sippy]

Id like to welcome "FreedomFish20" to TBH.

Dane is the Co-Founder and fisheries manager for Freedom Environmental Solutions. You will see he and myself both posting.

[bear]

we have a little place in the panhandle (Wheeler TX) with a 10ish acre pond on it. Most of it is covered in cattails with little access to bank fishing. Our dream is to open it up, dig out a few deeper holes and get some bigger fish roaming the waters- any guesttimate on cost on just the digging out- clearing process?

[bear]

Originally Posted by bear

we have a little place in the panhandle (Wheeler TX) with a 10ish acre pond on it. Most of it is covered in cattails with little access to bank fishing. Our dream is to open it up, dig out a few deeper holes and get some bigger fish roaming the waters- any guesttimate on cost on just the digging out- clearing process?

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[Sippy]

Originally Posted by bear

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We dont give estimates without seeing it in person, just to be fair to us and the client.

[bear]

Originally Posted by SuperExotics

We dont give estimates without seeing it in person, just to be fair to us and the client.

not even a wild guess- it will likely be years before we can do anything anyway due to funds be used elsewhere. I just have no idea where to start or any idea....

[Sippy]

Originally Posted by bear

not even a wild guess- it will likely be years before we can do anything anyway due to funds be used elsewhere. I just have no idea where to start or any idea....

Wild guess for draining, dredging, removing the trees.

50k plus

A local HOA here was requesting bids to dredge their ~10 acre pond. I saw bids from 35-65k. They went with a $55k bid.

[RascalArms]

Following

I have a roughly 1 acre pond that developed both an algae and aquatic like plant-growth problem last year. A local pond company suggested I spray with Reward aquatic herbicide. I also installed both an aerator and surface water fountain and the water cleared up nice.
I turned off the fountain about a month ago prior to the cold temps here in north Texas. I noticed there is a moss like algae starting to form again in the shallow end of the pond. Do I need to start the fountain back up again and hit with another dose of Reward? I’m new at this pond stuff.

[FreedomFish20]

Originally Posted by RascalArms

Following

I have a roughly 1 acre pond that developed both an algae and aquatic like plant-growth problem last year. A local pond company suggested I spray with Reward aquatic herbicide. I also installed both an aerator and surface water fountain and the water cleared up nice.
I turned off the fountain about a month ago prior to the cold temps here in north Texas. I noticed there is a moss like algae starting to form again in the shallow end of the pond. Do I need to start the fountain back up again and hit with another dose of Reward? I’m new at this pond stuff.

any type of aeration is great for ponds and i highly recommend it but it wont fix the problem once it gets to the point in your picture. you'll need to do a treatment to get that algae knocked down so that the aeration will benefit the pond.

[Huntingfool]

I have owned owned three different properties over the past 20 years with ponds on them. First was 5 acres, second was 8 acres and my current is 2 acres.

It became a great hobby and I have learned alot from experience, reading, asking questions, etc. I found out that there is a lot more to it than digging a hole and dropping a few fish in. Just like deer management it takes effort, time, and some money but it sure is a blast when family and friends come out and fish and have a blast.

I have seen many people just go hire a bulldozer guy and have them dig a pond - more times than not they end up with a leaking pond that is in the wrong spot. It is important to find someone who has experience with pond building for sure.

It is great these two experts are willing to share their professional knowledge with us on this thread - it is invaluable

[RascalArms]

Originally Posted by FreedomFish20

any type of aeration is great for ponds and i highly recommend it but it wont fix the problem once it gets to the point in your picture. you'll need to do a treatment to get that algae knocked down so that the aeration will benefit the pond.

Yup, I will spot treat a section here and there and hopefully be able to knock it back again.

Originally Posted by Huntingfool

I have owned owned three different properties over the past 20 years with ponds on them. First was 5 acres, second was 8 acres and my current is 2 acres.

It became a great hobby and I have learned alot from experience, reading, asking questions, etc. I found out that there is a lot more to it than digging a hole and dropping a few fish in. Just like deer management it takes effort, time, and some money but it sure is a blast when family and friends come out and fish and have a blast.

I have seen many people just go hire a bulldozer guy and have them dig a pond - more times than not they end up with a leaking pond that is in the wrong spot. It is important to find someone who has experience with pond building for sure.

It is great these two experts are willing to share their professional knowledge with us on this thread - it is invaluable

So true….I have neighbors on both sides of me that are dealing with this right now. Not to mention one of them screwed me up with his runoff water that has caused me issues the past 2 years. See above 🤨

[Sippy]

We enjoyed a site visit with a TBHer today. Looking forward to putting a plan together for his pond!

[Sippy]

What can you do without paying for a survey?

FISH!

One of the first thing i ask a client is if they have catch records. It is very helpful and does not take much time to record a quick length and/or weight. We can quickly calculate the relative weight of each fish from these records and have a good idea of what is going on under the water.

It is just one easy tool, but it is cheap and effective.

[BrandonA]

I’m not an expert at this but we let our baitfish have 3 yrs to flourish before we stocked Camelots. My belief is you have to establish the baitfish before you put your gamefish in