ASHLAND — Do you need some tips on how to maintain a healthy pond?
The Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District will be hosting a Pond Playbook Conservation Chat at 9 a.m. April 11 at Tom Kruse Park.
The morning program will feature pond management expert Steve Fender of Fender’s Fish Hatchery, who will share practical strategies for managing a healthy pond. Fender quite literally wrote the book on the Pond Management (which is available for purchase through Ashland SWCD’s spring fish sale). Fender will walk participants through everything from fish selection and stocking rates to feeding and habitat tips that keep fish healthy and anglers happy.And the deal is just as friendly as the fish, according to the community announcement.
Registration is $5 per person—or free for both attendees when you bring a friend.
“Healthy ponds don’t happen by accident,” said Ashland SWCD Director Jane Houin in a news release. “But with the right balance of species and a little management know-how, your pond can provide great fishing for years. Steve Fender is the expert on this, and he presents that info in an easy-to-understand way that makes sense. Steve always makes it fun to learn”
During the workshop, Fender will cover the fundamentals of pond balance—starting with the classic pairing of largemouth bass and bluegill, two species that naturally regulate each other and create a self-sustaining fish population. A typical recommendation is stocking 100 bass and 200 bluegill per surface acre.
Looking to diversify your pond? Pond owners can also consider:
Fender will also share tips for feeding fish, improving habitat, and preventing common issues like spring fish kills caused by winter stress and low oxygen levels.
Pond owners attending the program can also place their last-minute orders with Ashland SWCD’s annual spring fish stocking sale. In addition to fingerlings, the sale also includes fish food, Nature’s Pond Conditioner—a product designed to reduce muck buildup and limit unwanted vegetation—and even Fender’s Pond Management guidebook.
“Whether you’re managing a brand-new pond or trying to boost the fishing in an older one, proper stocking and management make all the difference,” Houin said.
The event is open to anyone interested in ponds, fishing, and aquatic habitat management. RSVPs can be made online at pondplaybook.eventbrite.com or contact Zoey Dudte at 41-281-7645
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland SWCD offers pond management tips from an expert
Reporting by Staff Report / Ashland Times Gazette
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