Building a pond

[Mako]

Alright, so I know nothing about ponds. If you were going to build a pond with maybe some channel cats, bluegill, bass, and crappie, how would somebody get started in doing that? How deep should the pond be? What's a minimum size for a pond to be to keep it "stable" and self sustained with fish? How much would you have to worry about oxygen levels and fish kill in the summer heat and winter cold?

[Brian]

I'd shoot for something around 10 feet deep and at least 2 surface acres.


The bluegills and crappie need to be established first, then then bass, then introduce the catfish last.

[LundLover]

Originally Posted by Mako

Alright, so I know nothing about ponds. If you were going to build a pond with maybe some channel cats, bluegill, bass, and crappie, how would somebody get started in doing that? How deep should the pond be? What's a minimum size for a pond to be to keep it "stable" and self sustained with fish? How much would you have to worry about oxygen levels and fish kill in the summer heat and winter cold?

I think your yard might be kind of small...

[Shorty]

Your watershed should be 10 to 20 times the surface acres of the pond in eastern NE for the amount of rainfall we recieve here. I would go at least 12 ft deep, probably more as it will silt in over time.

You probably will also want to dig some test holes to see what kind of soil and clay you have available on site for lining the pond so it holds water.

[houghty26]

There is a great guide on the NGPC website:

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission - Pond Management

Fill in some info and get the 40 or 70 page guide that will answer all of your questions Mako. I am using it and some help from the MDOC in Missouri on a planned farm pond.

[Chad]

From Daryl...

For now, I have not seen a question come up on the pond management forum that is not covered in our pond management handbook. I have already seen that handbook referenced once; please reference it as much as you like! http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/fishing/...management.asp

Let me add a couple of comments about topics I have already seen. Building a pond? That is thoroughly covered in the pond management handbook.

[Shorty]

That is thoroughly covered in the pond management handbook

and lot's more. I have copy and refer to it frequently.

[bachelorpads]

I would never put Crappie in a pond in nebraska. People do it for some reason that i can not explain. They become a management nightmare in most local bodies of water and i consider them the scourge of our local fishing environment. But that is just my opinion and since i know so little this can be ignored.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by bachelorpads

I would never put Crappie in a pond in nebraska. People do it for some reason that i can not explain. They become a management nightmare in most local bodies of water and i consider them the scourge of our local fishing environment. But that is just my opinion and since i know so little this can be ignored.

[Shorty]

Black crappie are less of a nuisance than white crappie. If one has the time they can be managed in a small pond but this requires a more intensive management strategy than most people would like to deal with. In some areas of the country they use a seine net or a rod and reel to keep crappie numbers in check to prevent stunting.

[AJS]

Crappie can be added much later after there is an established LM, Channel cat, and Bluegill population. They can get out of hand.

[suddawg]

As long as there are good size LMB established, you should be able to then put in some crappie. Harvesting some of the Crappie and the LMB should keep them in check. If you stock Crappie with dink bass in there, they'll overrun the pond in no time.

SudDawg

[Turlington Tom]

Go to the local Natural Resources Conservation Service office and ask for Agriculture Handbook # 590 called Ponds- planning, design and construction. It is very good information, also ask about cost sharing if you are concerned about the cost.