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topicnews · August 27, 2024

Ashland SWCD offers tips on pond care and hosts a fish sale in the fall

Ashland SWCD offers tips on pond care and hosts a fish sale in the fall

Katie Eikleberry
| Special to the Ashland Times-Gazette

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Ashland Soil and Water’s fall fish sale is in full swing and orders will be accepted through October 7.

For sale are many different species of fish as well as fathead minnows, Nature’s Pond and a pond care book written by Steve Fender himself.

Nature’s Pond is a blend of beneficial bacteria, enzymes, plant extracts and food coloring that helps clean the pond bottom and maintain clean, clear water. Nature’s Pond is not an overnight treatment. It is a treatment that lasts several years as it removes nutrient-rich sludge from the pond bottom.

Stocking and restocking a pond annually is essential, especially if you plan on catching fish for years to come. Bass and sunfish are two species that are most likely to be able to reproduce on their own. Even though they are self-reproducing, if you are catching a fair amount of fish each year, you should stock them as well.

When stocking a newly created pond, it is recommended to stock 100 bass and 200 bluegill per acre of water to maintain a healthy balance. Bass and bluegill are a species of fish that only spawn once each year in the spring. Bass do not build a spawning bed, but lay their eggs in bushy or weedy areas. Bass and bluegill do not reproduce as quickly as perch and bluegill because spawning only occurs once a year, and should be stocked at a rate of 100 fish per acre of water.

Hybrid sunfish are definitely popular, but they don’t breed very well. They should be stocked in the same amount as they are harvested each year. This is a fast-growing species of sunfish; they are fun to catch and have a pretty color.

Alternatives to pond weekly inspection

Weed control is always a problem in ponds. Chemicals are expensive and can be dangerous if not used properly. However, when used correctly, they can be effective. White Amur fish can be an alternative to expensive chemicals for weed control. 8-10 Amur fish are recommended per hectare of water surface. These fish do not reproduce, grow amazingly fast and eat a lot.

There is a myth that they stop eating as they get older, and that is definitely a myth. Amurs grow to be 40-100 pounds (depending on their environment). When they get that big, they have to keep eating until they die. Amurs double in size within the first year. Within three years, they are fully effective at controlling weeds. Restocking is not necessary for 10-12 years, according to Fender.

The SWCD’s fall fish sale will feature a wide selection of bluegill, hybrid bluegill, largemouth bass, redfin sandfish, spotted catfish, Amur bass, and colorful koi. As always, fathead minnows are available as bait fish.

When picking up fish from an order, it is best to place an unscented trash bag in a 5-gallon bucket about half full of water from the pond they will be placed in. Do not put the lid on the bucket or the bag will develop holes. The purpose of the bag is to hold in oxygen as long as possible to provide the best environment for the fish on the way home.

The order form can be found at ashlandswcd.com. From there you can order online, mail a check and order form, or stop by our office to place an order. We are located at 110 Cottage St., Ashland and can be reached at 419-281-7645.

If you have any direct questions about stocking or Nature’s Pond, you can contact our office or call Fender’s Fish Hatchery at 740-502-5454.

Again, our fall order deadline is October 7th and the pickup location will be October 15th from 11am-12pm at the Ashland County Fairgrounds, 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland.

Katie Eikleberry is a conservation specialist with the Ashland County Soil and Water Conservation District.

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