Conservation Corner: March 26, 2001

Managing Mississippi's Farm Ponds, Part 2
by James L. Cummins

This is the final part of a two-part series on managing Mississippi's farm ponds.

Almost all ponds, except those in extremely productive parts of Mississippi need to be limed and fertilized. Most ponds require 2 to 3 tons per acre of lime. This treatment will usually last from 2 to 5 years, depending on the acidity of the soil.

Fertilizer, which stimulates growth of microscopic plants and animals, will cause the water to turn green or "bloom," in addition to discouraging growth of some problem aquatic weeds. Phosphorus is essential to increasing fish production; triple superphosphate (0-46-0), when applied at the correct rate, is the most economical. A simple soil test will determine the amount of fertilizer needed and if liming is needed.

To stock new ponds, include 500 bluegill per acre, 50 bass per acre, and 50 channel catfish per acre. On new ponds, fishing should begin 2 years after the initial stocking. Good fishing can be enjoyed for years to come if the fish population of the pond is managed properly. This means harvesting the correct number and species of fish each year. But, even at this time, as well as the next, or second year of fishing, most bass should be released back into the pond. Most of the bream (bluegill and redear) that are caught should be kept. A good rule of thumb is to keep a minimum of 10 pounds of bream for every pound of bass. Most ponds in Mississippi are underfished for bream and can withstand much more harvest - a great project for those grandkids!

Also, most ponds are overfished for bass. This is the most common problem in farm pond management. When this occurs, bass cannot control bream and bream become overpopulated and stunted. This can reduce or even stop bass reproduction.

Most of the time, the status of the pond's balance can be determined by fishing success. For example, when one catches a few large bass and many small bream, the bream are overpopulated. When one catches small bass and large bream, there is probably an overpopulation of bass. In many instances increased fishing pressure on the overcrowded species will bring the pond back into balance. Ponds that have too many bream can be corrected by adding additional bass. Adding fifty, 8 to 10 inch bass or twenty, 12 to 14 inch bass per acre can be effective.

Many people often want to put crappie in farm ponds. Crappie should not be placed in ponds that are less that 500 acres in size. It will just be a matter of time before they become overpopulated and stunted. Many people are concerned that the harvest of the surplus of fish due to the increase in structure will affect reproductive potential of the pond. It will not and should result in increased growth and condition of fish and a positive response to the increased carrying capacity.

Now that you have all ingredients in the formula for fishing success - good location, design, construction, the proper stocking rate, and management - it is time to carry those grandkids fishing and introduce the to something they will remember forever. And besides, a farm pond bank is a much better place to be than on the streets.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.