ON OUTDOORS: CONSTRUCT A POND PROPERLY AND FISH WILL PROSPER

More ponds are being constructed in Southeast Missouri than ever before and many pond owners are disgusted because their pond didn't turnout the way they intended.

Some pond owners are in such a big rush that they don't take the time out to investigate the proper way to build a pond.

The first thing that a landowner should do after they decided that they want a pond is to contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office in their county. The agent will be able to tell the owner if a pond can be built, what size it can be, and how to construct the dam and spillway properly (to avoid future problems). In some cases, the NRCS agent will come to the landowner's property and survey the pond area and if the land meets certain requirements they might be able to share in the construction cost.

During the construction process, the bottom of the pond should have mounds, channels, islands and plenty of diversity of fish habitat. The owner should also be focusing on the depth and the slope of the pond bank. To protect fish through periods of oxygen stress, the pond should be a minimum of 8 feet deep. A 3 to 1 slope is good in places where vegetation is not desired. But keep in mind that 15 to 20 percent vegetation is good for fish populations. Shallow areas have a tendency to promote vegetation growth. The pond owner can almost dictate where he wants his vegetation to grow depending on how deep or shallow he or she makes the pond in certain areas.

Another common mistake that pond owners make is after construction, but before the pond fills with water they leave it looking like a bath tub with no structure (dead trees) in it. If the pond is going to be used for fishing, adding structure is one of the most important things that you can do.

When putting structure in the lake, the idea is to create piles of trees within the lake. Most of the structure needs to be placed in water that is less than 10 feet deep. Fish will use these areas during the majority of the year.

After the pond is filled with water, it is time to start considering what type of fish to stock. The first fish that any pond owner should consider stocking is the fathead minnow. This minnow will provide the largemouth bass with a good food supply during the beginning of their lives. This added food supply will speed up growth during the first three years. Largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish are the three species of fish that work well together in a pond.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has a free stocking program and if the pond meets certain requirements the pond owner can get his pond stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. MDC only stocks fingerlings (1-2 inches) twice a year, bluegill and channel catfish in September and largemouth bass in the following June. The fish that MDC stocks are small in size but in three years a pond owner should see bass from 12 to 15 inches in length. You are not required to open your land to the public if you get fish from MDC.

An owner can also purchase fish from a commercial fish dealer. The Missouri Department of Conservation can provide a list of fish dealers within the state. Farm supply and feed stores also may be able to provide dates when fish farmers come and sell their fish.

A lot of people want to stock crappie in their ponds, but the Missouri Department of Conservation usually doesn't recommend this because there's the danger of the pond becoming over-populated with 3to-4-inch crappie. However, if an owner is willing to take extra steps and manage the pond more intensively, they can be successful in raising large crappie in small impoundments.

After stocking is completed the fun begins; it is time to start fishing the pond. Fishing is a good way to keep track of how the fish are growing. Pond owners need to wait three years before harvesting. This gives the fish populations time to reproduce before any of the original stockers are taken out.

When anglers do start harvesting, keeping record of all the types and sizes of the fish that are caught is a good idea.

How many fish should be harvested? That is a big question and the each pond will be different. The amount of fish harvested will be based on the type of fish and populations that exist in the pond. A general harvest rule: 25 bass per acre per year and 200 bluegill per acre per year. The amount of catfish harvested can be decided by the owner; however, these fish will need to be replaced as they are harvested. Restocking 25 channel catfish per acre is recommended every two years, if that many have been harvested previously.

Planning and preparation are the keys to having a good fishing pond. Without these two components you will surely be disappointed. For more information call the Missouri Department of Conservation at (573) 290-5730.

Christopher Kennedy is a fisheries management specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.