Managing Ponds

The Wildlife Department’s Fisheries Division offers free technical assistance to landowners who have questions about managing ponds on their property. Many times, problems with fish diseases, growth, harvest, aquatic vegetation control and clearing muddy water can be diagnosed over the telephone.

In some cases, fisheries biologists may need to determine the status of the fish population to recommend possible management strategies. Pond owners can assist by providing information on previous management activities including the stocking history and by keeping harvest records. Sampling the fish population by hook and line, recording the number and size of fish caught over a several week period, can provide the biologists with data that can help them determine what action must be taken to achieve the landowner’s desired goal for the pond.

The Department, in cooperation with Zebco and the American Fisheries Society, produced a book on managing pond fisheries in Oklahoma. This book provides landowners with management tips on how to achieve specific goals, such as creating a catfish pond, a bluegill fishery or a trophy bass pond.

Eligibility

Any landowner in the state of Oklahoma is eligible for technical assistance, regardless of the number or size of ponds.

Who To Contact

For more information contact the Fisheries Division at 405-521-3721. You may be referred to the fishery biologist in your area for additional assistance.