January is the dormant season for most pond activity. While the past few months have provided time for bank and shallow region reconstruction, a year of pond-management tasks will begin in shortly. Pond owners need to determine what parts of their regime need attention.
Over the next few months, the pond should be refilled and prepared for any planned fish stockings in the spring. Fish will need to be ordered to ensure the requested fish are available when ready to stock the ponds. Additionally, water-chemistry corrections, fertilization, and weed management issues can be planned out for the rest of the year.
Ponds are closed systems and subject to uncontrolled reproduction, but fishermen can assist pond owners with correcting fish populations when needed. The population and the predator-to-prey relationships must be monitored to ensure the pond produces the desired results. Harvest plans including sizes and quantities of fish species can be developed and established for the year.
From stocking and weed management to water chemistry corrections, it’s time to write down and plan management tasks for the year. It is always a good practice to list the current management tasks by month and make reminders to insure that critical steps are taken before the optimum window is missed.
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