Pond Management - South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................................1
Pond Construction....................................................................1
Preparing a Pond for Stocking..................................................2
Stocking a Pond with Fish........................................................4
Fish Production.........................................................................7
Fishing the Pond.......................................................................9
Pond Liming and Fertilization................................................11
Water Quality..........................................................................16
Dissolved Oxygen.............................................................17
pH......................................................................................17
Alkalinity and Hardness....................................................18
Aquatic Vegetation Control ...................................................18
Winter Drawdown..............................................................19
Mechanical........................................................................19
Herbicides..........................................................................20
Biological Control ............................................................20
Miscellaneous Problems and Considerations.........................22
Fish Mortality ...................................................................22
Pesticide or Toxic Pollutant Exposure ..............................23
Parasites and Diseases.......................................................24
Muddy Water.....................................................................24
Artificial Fish Feeds...........................................................26
Alligators ..........................................................................27
Snakes................................................................................27
Turtles................................................................................27
Beavers and Other Problem Mammals .............................28
Livestock...........................................................................28
Water Birds........................................................................29
Appendix A: Glossary ..........................................................30
Appendix B: Agencies to Contact
Concerning Fish Ponds......................................................32