Fertilizing Fish Ponds
Fertilizing Fish Ponds
Fertilizing Fish Ponds
Farmers know that proper fertilization can greatly increase crop yields. Similarly,
pond fertilization can increase fish yields three to four times. Also fish will be in
better condition, and the quality of catch by fishermen usually improves.
Fertilizers used in ponds stimulate the growth of microscopic plants called algae
or plankton. As primary elements of the food web, algae are eaten by
microscopic animals called zooplankton and insects which serve as food for
bream, which in turn are eaten by bass. Algae also make the water turn green,
which helps to shade the pond bottom, preventing growth of troublesome rooted
weeds and filamentous algae commonly called pond "moss or pond weeds."
Liquid fertilizers are generally superior to the traditional granular form fertilizers in
promoting rapid growth of plankton algae in farm ponds. This is because the
nutrients are immediately in solution, making them more rapidly available to the
algae. Also, smaller applications of liquid fertilizers (more as concentrates) can
be used which may reduce the cost and labor of application but still improve the
effectiveness of pond fertilization.
Common grades of liquid ammonium polyphosphate fertilizer are 10-34-0 and 11-
37-0. Liquid ammonium orthophosphate, commonly sold as a 13-38-0 grade, can
also be used. Nutrients are found in a ratio of about 1:3 in liquid fertilizers.
In recent years, fertilizer formulations which contain all three nutrients have
become popular as a result of their effectiveness. In a dry, flour-like form, the
1248-8 formulation produces excellent phytoplankton blooms which vigorously
stimulate bream and bass growth.
Because watershed fertility and pond uses vary, the standard fertilization
schedule and recommended rates are not necessarily the most efficient for all
ponds. The following considerations can help guide you to modify them to meet
your needs.
Pond Use
Not all ponds have to be fertilized. Large unfertilized ponds which are fished by
only a few people may produce excellent fishing. Heavily fished ponds, such as
club ponds, should generally be fertilized. Sometimes less fertilizer is needed in
ponds in watersheds where cattle are grazing, due to nutrients from droppings.
Ponds which typically have strong flow-through after rain events or are a part of a
stream where water retention time is low- that is the pond has a lot of
flowthrough- fertilization nor lime is not recommended.
Application Methods
Liquid fertilizers generally weigh about half again as much as water. Because
they are heavier than water, they must be diluted with water or applied into
turbulence so that they mix with the pond water and don't sink to the bottom.
One method of application of liquid fertilizer is to drip it slowly into the water from
the bow of a boat driven by an outboard motor so that the wake of the boat and
the action of the propeller will mix fertilizer into the water before it has a chance
to sink. It can also be applied by pouring it directly into the turbulence caused by
the outboard motor.
Another method of application is to pour the liquid fertilizer into a wash tub,
plastic trash can or similar container placed in a boat. The liquid fertilizer is then
diluted at 5:1 with pond water and is siphoned or drained over the transom.
Liquid fertilizer can be applied full strength using a garden sprayer. Direct the
spray onto the pond surface while walking around the pond. With some sprayers
the fertilizer must be diluted with water so that it will pass through the small
nozzle openings.
Especially in late spring and summer, liquid fertilizer may be used more efficiently
and produce a more stable "bloom" if applied at half the recommended rate, but
twice as often as the standard fertilization schedule calls for. For example, you
can apply 5 pounds per acre at two-week intervals in summer, instead of 10
pounds at monthly intervals.
Granular forms of fertilizer should be kept from direct contact with the pond mud,
because phosphorus in the fertilizer becomes trapped in the mud and unavailable
to the algae. A fertilizer platform positioned one foot under water can be used to
hold granular fertilizer off the bottom. Pour fertilizer or place open or slitted bags
on the platform. The fertilizer will slowly dissolve and be distributed by water
currents. A platform measuring 45 square feet is adequate for a 5- to 10-acre
pond. Smaller platforms can be used in smaller ponds. More than one platform
should be used in ponds larger than 15 acres.
Fertilizer granules can be broadcast in shallow water, but this method is not as
good as the platform method. Never broadcast fertilizer granules in deep water.
1. Apply barnyard manure at the rate of 1 ton per acre at 3-week intervals.
Use extreme caution; however, as an oxygen depletion may result
2. Apply 75 pounds of cottonseed meal with 10 pounds of triple
superphosphate per acre at 2- to 3-week intervals.
3. Apply Gypsum or alum as recommended by your county Extension agent.
Gypsum (pea-nut lime or calcium sulfate) can be highly effective as a tool to
clear clay particles from ponds. Generally 250- 1000 pounds per acre give
excellent results.
Pond Weeds
Do not fertilize weedy ponds--the fertilizer will only make the weeds grow faster.
Weeds can be controlled by using chemicals designed for aquatic plant control.
The grass carp (white Amur) are a highly effective aquatic weed management
tool. However, fertilizing in early spring before weeds begin growing rapidly may
put a stop to their growth. Ask your county Extension agent for publication
ANR48, "Chemical Weed Control in Lakes and Farm Ponds", for methods to
control pond weeds. Another web resource for aquatic plant management is:
http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/ or our extension site:
http://www.aces.edu/dept/fisheries/
Liming
Ponds with soft, acid water may not respond to fertilizer. If the water does not
turn green from plankton bloom development after 6 to 8 weeks of fertilization,
liming may be necessary. Agricultural limestone will increase water hardness and
alkalinity and decrease acidity, thereby increasing the effectiveness of fertilizers.
A pond soil sample is needed to determine the lime requirement. Ask your county
Extension agent for publication ANR-232, "Liming Fish Ponds", for soil sampling
instructions and liming information (http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR0232/).
Measuring Algae Density
Because all ponds are not equally productive or responsive to fertilization,
intervals between fertilizer applications can best be determined by measuring
plankton density. This method may be more economical than strictly following the
fixed intervals of the standard fertilization schedule above.
Measure the algae density using a solid white disk or one painted with alternate
black and white quadrants. The depth at which the disk disappears from view in
the water gives an indication of plankton density. The more dense the plankton,
the shallower the disc will disappear. When the disc is visible at more than 18
inches, plankton density is too low and it is time to fertilize. Best plankton density
measure is when the disc disappears between 8 and 16 inches. Do not fertilize
when disc visibility is less than 12 inches. A visibility of less than 6 inches is a
warning that an oxygen depletion may occur. Do not use the visibility method
when the water becomes temporarily muddy.
Reminders
1. Do not practice haphazard fertilization. Fertilizing once or twice a year is
worse than not fertilizing at all. It's like alternately feeding and starving the
fish.
2. Do not attempt to kill weeds by broadcasting fertilizer over them during the
spring and summer. This can have the same effect as adding gasoline to
a fire.
3. If plankton blooms do not develop and grow after fertilizing, check for:
o Lime requirement
o Excess water outflow
o Weeds o Muddy water
4. Sometimes plankton blooms are difficult to initiate or reestablish even after
potential problems have been eliminated. Temperature, clouds and
possibly other weather-related factors may be the cause. Continue
fertilizing every two weeks until the desired bloom develops .