Tractor and my pond

[AxleHub]

Probably a dumb question - but if you do a small amount of weed cleaning initially - then add catfish as "cleaners and gleaners". They are hardy, not the same issues as carp - don't require chemicals in the water, and they are like nature's version of a "goat" for water aren't they ??

 

[plowhog]

The pond is stocked with catfish, bass, and bluegill. There are 20+ large catfish, some probably 10 lbs plus. I don't think they are touching the floating aquatic stuff at all.

 

[Ryansweatt2004]

Catfish are predators/scavengers, they won't do anything for controlling aquatic vegetation.

 

[plowhog]

I used to believe catfish were bottom feeders. But I occasionally throw cat food onto the pond surface, and the catfish come along and "vacuum" it up.

I cast my fishing line and lure at the floating muck. Set the hook, pulled, and BANG the line snapped. Like in the movie Jaws, "I think I need a bigger boat!"

 

[rekees4300]

Like in the movie Jaws, "I think I need a bigger boat!"

Record Grass Carp for Indiana is 65 lbs. 2 oz. and that was from a farm pond!

 

[plowhog]

If one of these was in my pond, I'm not sure I would be comfortable going swimming. I don't exactly know what it would do, but it would sure do something!!

 

[LD1]

Grass carp aren't going to bother you. 65# vegetation fish scares you going swimming? Does a 150-200# Deere scare you from going in the woods?

 

[TomSeller]

Does a 150-200# Deere scare you from going in the woods?

That is a very light weight John Deere.

 

[rScotty]

I stocked 12 Triploid (sterile) carp (aka Amur) minnows (5 inch) into my 1 acre pond 2 years ago. Now they are 24 inches and all of the American Pondweed, algae, and Cattails are gone. IMO mechanical methods (been there done that) to remove vegetation are a never ending waste of time.

So what happens next year? Having eaten all the pond plants, what do they eat in the future?
rScotty

 

[Texasmark]

Lots of answers and you are probably bored by now. But if you are still following this, my comments.

You get one chance at pulling moss out of your pond. After that the banks are so slick you dare not get on them with your tractor....how do you think I know that....grin?

You need some vegetation for the small fry to survive: Algae/plankton to feed them when fry and coon tail moss or something to offer cover.

Any fertilization of your surrounding area, aka watershed, eventually will affect your pond's aquatic growth.

I have used chemicals from Aquacide Company for quite a few years. They have a nice brochure and fine products; been in the business for a lot of years. I use their Aquathol Super K (pellets) for Coontail Moss and it works as advertised. Is pricy but doesn't take much so per dose/per year reasonably priced.

They have a new product out "Aquacide Pellets" that is advertised as a top seller. Price is much easier on the pocket book. When I finish my second 25# tub of Super K, I am going to try some of the Aquacide; but that will be way on down the road as it doesn't take much per year.