MDC can assist with pond building

With the number of ponds that have been built in the last 10 years, there has been a growing demand for pond management.

Every pond owner should become aware of the variety of pond management services that the Missouri Department of Conservation provides. Pond owners also should know a few common things before starting a pond-building project.

First, give us a call. We'll help you determine your objective. What do you want from your pond? We'll assess your problems and help you solve your pond issues. Questions about site selection, pond construction, stocking, harvest, vegetation control, fish kills and fish populations are very common. When you call, be prepared to give us information regarding pond use, pond size, stocking, construction date and harvest. In most cases, solutions to common problems can be handled over the phone. We can also send you literature specific to your situation. In some instances an on-site visit is necessary. MDC provides this service for free.

The Private Pond Stocking Program is one of the most popular MDC services. It involves initial stocking of new or renovated ponds. One of the best parts of my job is to see those free fish delivered. Everyone is excited -- they can't wait to begin close-to-home fishing fun. MDC's stocking program has been widely used by the public since its inception. To be eligible for participation in the program, the pond must be protected from livestock use, no undesirable fish may be present prior to stocking and the pond must be at least 8 feet deep. If your pond meets these criteria, then you are qualified to receive free fingerling largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. The amount of fish that each pond receives will be based on the acreage. Each county will have one of three stocking rates based on soil fertility. After pond owners receive their free fish they are under no obligation to open their pond to the public.

If you would rather purchase fish from a fish dealer, we can provide you with a Missouri Fish Dealers List, which lists every fish dealer within the state. A variety of species and sizes are available from fish producers during much of the year. Purchasing fish from a commercial fish producer may provide greater flexibility.

Developing a good fishing pond is no accident. Planning and preparation should begin before construction. The first step is figuring out the soil type, proper placement and size of the pond. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides assistance with pond design and blueprints. They specialize in pond construction. They can help evaluate your soil type, available watershed and pond size. In some cases, they can even provide cost share if your pond meets certain criteria. If you are having a problem finding a contractor, NRCS may be able to provide you with a list of contractors in your area.

A couple good rules of thumb are:

* Stay away from sandy or rocky soils;

* One acre of pond water needs 10 to 12 acres of watershed to fill it.

Most of the ponds I see in the Southeast region are shaped like bathtubs, slick and smooth. This is one the worst things you can do to a fishing pond. Make the bottom of your pond as diverse as possible. Create islands, drop offs and shallow areas. Don't forget to add and anchor structure -- sunken trees -- at various depths with the majority of the structure placed in water less than 10 feet deep.

Fish don't use one type of aquatic habitat. The time of year and phase of life will have a major impact on what type and when these habitats are used. Remain creative during the construction process and you can't go wrong.

There is nothing worse than completing a project only to find out you could have done things better or that you wasted a lot of money trying to build a pond with soil that won't hold water. If you plan and prepare, you'll likely have a good pond. If you don't, you may have problems for the next 30 years.

Just before construction is the best time to ask for MDC fisheries private land services. Give us a call at (573) 290-5730.

Chris Kennedy is a fisheries biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.