Farm Pond Management

Introduction   |   Managing Fish   |   Liming   |   Fertilization   |  
Feeding Fish   |   Calendar   |   Drawdown   |   Calculations   |   Balance Key

Farm pond management, when practiced correctly, is a year-round effort. Although not every management practice is required every month, and some are only needed once every several years, timing is critical to the success of almost all of the standard practices recommended in Mississippi. This calendar may help the pond owner remember when to conduct appropriate management procedures, and, thereby, ensure proper timing and satisfaction from management inputs.

Farm Pond Management Calendar:

• Stock bluegills, redear (1"-3") -- October through January then
• Stock bass fingerlings (1"-3") -- May through mid-July
• Lime -- January
• Fertilization -- mid-February through mid-September
• Check density of bloom -- mid-March through mid-September
• Drawdown pond for winter -- mid-November through February then
• Refill pond -- February through mid-March
• Chemical weed control -- mid February through July
• Biological weed control (grass carp) -- All year
• Stock catfish when needed -- October through March
• Check pond balance -- May through mid-July
• Feed fish if desired -- March through November
• Fishing and harvest of all species -- All year
• Trim grass/brush on levee -- May through November