Hey guys, been a while since I was on here, moved cross country and have three old ponds each about an acre. I don't know if anything is in them but I'm assuming that they are smaller than they use to be and have a lot of plant growth, they're pretty much empty. They are in southern Oklahoma, a few miles north of the Texas border. Any suggestions? I may be expanding them, haven't decided yet.
I'm envious!
Are you interested in making them into fishing ponds, or into homes for monsters? Either way, I would encourage you to check local regulations first; some states tightly regulate pond stocking (and rightly so). Your state fish and game agency may also have lots of location-specific resources for stocking ponds for fishing.
If you're not looking to go fishing, consider that fish in ponds are generally going to be nearly-invisible, with the obvious exceptions of koi and goldfish (and paddlefish - now there's an idea!). No sense stocking your pond with fish you'll never see.
Whichever way you go, check the depths of the ponds. Shallow ponds will get very hot and deoxygenated in the summer. Dredging and supplemental oxygenation (from fountains/waterfalls, air pumps, mechanical aerators, and/or submersed vegetation) may be necessary to make them more hospitable to fish. Planting some shade trees may be helpful too.
Speaking of dredging: it is usually recommended to give ponds steep sides all around to limit access for herons and other predators. On the other hand, shallow areas are important breeding grounds for many fish...it's a trade-off.
Are you interested in making them into fishing ponds, or into homes for monsters? Either way, I would encourage you to check local regulations first; some states tightly regulate pond stocking (and rightly so). Your state fish and game agency may also have lots of location-specific resources for stocking ponds for fishing.
If you're not looking to go fishing, consider that fish in ponds are generally going to be nearly-invisible, with the obvious exceptions of koi and goldfish (and paddlefish - now there's an idea!). No sense stocking your pond with fish you'll never see.
Whichever way you go, check the depths of the ponds. Shallow ponds will get very hot and deoxygenated in the summer. Dredging and supplemental oxygenation (from fountains/waterfalls, air pumps, mechanical aerators, and/or submersed vegetation) may be necessary to make them more hospitable to fish. Planting some shade trees may be helpful too.
Speaking of dredging: it is usually recommended to give ponds steep sides all around to limit access for herons and other predators. On the other hand, shallow areas are important breeding grounds for many fish...it's a trade-off.
Actually I am interested in a combination of both. LOL BTW I did check and there is no restrictions, besides the obvious snakeheads and piranhas. Thanks for the suggestion but they already have alligator gar down here.
Sorry for my grammar, I was very tired when I first posted this.
Sorry for my grammar, I was very tired when I first posted this.
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