Page 39 - 2018 MAY/JUNE Outdoor Oklahoma

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The enjoyment you and others will get from your well-managed farm pond makes the often significant efforts worthwhile.
frustrating problem for many pond owners. Excessive Pond Fertilization

water weeds affect both fish and fishing as well as ren- Fertilization can increase fish poundage by as much as
der the pond useless as a water reserve for irrigation, threefold in some ponds. A properly managed fertiliza-
fire fighting, drilling oil wells and swimming. Dense tion program should increase both numbers and average
vegetation ties up nutrients which otherwise might be size of fish caught. However, applying fertilizer to a pond
used for fish growth, and it can cause low oxygen levels already rich in nutrients can be harmful and may even
in ponds. It is difficult for bass to feed on small fish in cause a fish kill. Nutrients provided by the addition of
dense weeds, frequently resulting in overcrowded sun- fertilizer increases the quantity of phytoplankton (micro-
fish populations. scopic plants) which form the base of the food pyramid
Aquatic plants can be controlled in several ways. in all aquatic systems. Fertilization can also increase the
The best method is prevention. Ponds constructed “catchability” of fish by reducing water clarity, thereby
with limited shallow areas and steep-sided slopes (3:1) making the fish less “spooky.”
down to at least four feet, usually do not develop root- The quantity of phytoplankton produced must be
ed aquatic plants. It may be practical to excavate the closely monitored for a successful fertilization program.
sides of existing ponds to help prevent weeds. Allowing Over-fertilization can cause an undesirable buildup of
cattle complete access to ponds usually increases bank dense phytoplankton. If this occurs, decomposition or
erosion resulting in increased vegetation. … Complete respiration of the phytoplankton at night can consume all
elimination of vegetation may cause the pond to be- of the available oxygen in the water and cause fish kills.
come muddy. … Do not fertilize ponds used for swimming. … In general,
Methods to control aquatic vegetation include mechan- don’t fertilize a pond that is being fed, since the byprod-
ical control, fertilization, herbicides, water dyes, fall-win- ucts of feeding will supply plenty of nutrients. … Never
ter drawdown and triploid grass carp. fertilize a muddy pond!

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