Management Advice for Private Pond Owners
Privately owned lakes and ponds are a long-standing tradition in Missouri and a source of great pride for their owners. Missouri land owners often care for their ponds with the same diligence they invest in their lands, creating high quality fisheries that produce hours of entertainment both from their angling potential and their beauty.
Unfortunately, if these impoundments are to achieve their maximum potential these delicate ecosystems often need intensive management efforts. While MDC biologists are always available to help when the unexpected occurs, often a little well-placed information will allow the pond owner to address and overcome the problem themselves.
Here are some of the most common problems our biologists encounter and their causes and solutions. Check out the Aquaguides for information about specific problems or contact your local fisheries biologist for further help.
- Pond Area Estimator
- It is very important that a pond owner know the surface acreage of
their pond. They will use this information for calculating stocking
rates, applying herbicides and other management tasks. Unfortunately
surface acreage can be very difficult to calculate due to the irregular
shape of most ponds.
This document will provide pond owners with a simple method for estimating the surface acreage of their pond. - How to Construct a Good Multi-Purpose Pond
- There are several good reasons why you should use care in selecting a pond site. Construction costs, fish production, usefulness, and length of life of the pond are all affected by its location.
- Fish Parasites
- MDC receives many inquiries each year from people who have seen or caught fish with black spots or yellowish bumps on their fins and in their flesh. Find out more about various issues and questions surrounding parasites in fish.
