Fall Fish Sale in Full Swing

Ashland Soil & Water’s fall fish sale is in full swing and we will be taking orders through October 11th. Our sale has many varieties of fish along with fathead minnows, Nature’s Pond and a Pond Management Book written by Steve Fender himself. Nature’s pond is a blend of beneficial bacteria, enzymes, plant extracts and food-grade dyes that helps to clean the bottom of ponds for clean, clear water.

Stocking and restocking a pond each year is essential if the plan is to get a harvest for years to come. Bass and bluegill are two types that will most likely be able to reproduce on their own, although they reproduce on their own if harvesting quite a few each year is taking place stocking should as well. When stocking a newly developed pond, it is recommended to stock 100 bass and 200 bluegill per surface acre to keep a healthy balance. Perch and crappie are a variety that spawn once only in the spring each year. The perch will not make a bed for spawning but rather lay eggs in brushy or weedy area. Perch and crappie will not reproduce as fast as bass and bluegill and should be stocked at a rate of 100 per surface acre. Hybrid bluegill do not reproduce much at all. They should be stocked at the same rate that they are being harvested each year. These are a fast-growing bluegill variety; they are fun to catch and pretty in color.

Weed control is always a concern with ponds. Chemicals are expensive and can be dangerous if they are not used properly. White amur’s can be an alternative to using expensive chemicals to help control weed growth. For each surface acre it is recommended to have 8-10 amurs. These fish do not reproduce, grow amazingly fast and they eat a lot. There is a myth that as they grow, they stop eating, and a myth it certainly is. Amurs will grow to be 40-100 pounds (dependent on their environment). Being that big they need to continue to eat until they die. Amurs will double their size within the first year. They will be fully effective at weed control within three years and stocking will not be necessary again for 10-12 years according to Steve Fender.

A complete list of items available in our fall stocking program can be found online at ashlandswcd.com where you can order online, mail a check and order form, or stop and see us at the office to place an order. We are located at 110 Cottage Street Ashland and can be reached at 419-281-7645. Again, our fall order deadline is October 11th and the new pick-up location will be at the Ashland County Fairgrounds from 11-noon on October 18th.