need info for creating/managing my own pond

[hooked@2]

I'm moving out to the country soon.  There is a small, spring-fed pond on the property.  I've gotten permission from an adjacent land owner to enlarge it.  Where can I get information on doing this?  What about stocking it - what fish besides bass, etc?  Thanks.

[hooked@2]

I'm moving out to the country soon.  There is a small, spring-fed pond on the property.  I've gotten permission from an adjacent land owner to enlarge it.  Where can I get information on doing this?  What about stocking it - what fish besides bass, etc?  Thanks.

[hooked@2]

I'm moving out to the country soon.  There is a small, spring-fed pond on the property.  I've gotten permission from an adjacent land owner to enlarge it.  Where can I get information on doing this?  What about stocking it - what fish besides bass, etc?  Thanks.

[hooked@2]

I guess I should add that it's less than 1 acre now and I'm considering enlarging it to about 10 acres.

[hooked@2]

I guess I should add that it's less than 1 acre now and I'm considering enlarging it to about 10 acres.

[hooked@2]

I guess I should add that it's less than 1 acre now and I'm considering enlarging it to about 10 acres.

[Goose52]

Pull down the "Fishing Articles" menu and click on "Fish and Lake Management." Also, visit one of the board sponsors - www.pondboss.com.

[Goose52]

Pull down the "Fishing Articles" menu and click on "Fish and Lake Management." Also, visit one of the board sponsors - www.pondboss.com.

[Goose52]

Pull down the "Fishing Articles" menu and click on "Fish and Lake Management." Also, visit one of the board sponsors - www.pondboss.com.

[Big Fish Rice]

I've looked into this myself, simply from googling everything. First thing is first, you would have to get permission from the State to alter a wetland. This could involve fees and permits...so this is a good place to start for legality reasons.

When it comes to actually enlarging the pond, you of course would need heavy equipment to dig and shape the area. I would assume this is either through renting or hiring an operator to do the dirty work.

Design is crucial to a pond that will be home to bass and other species of fish; you need to create a food chain essentially. Just throwing some fish in a pond will not create the sustainable environment you are looking for. From the contour of the bottom to the weeds that will help hide the fry, everything needs to be in order.

I have read a couple articles here on BassResource, but Bob Lusk is the "Pond King". His website has lots of information, and there are forums that you can browse. It's exciting to think about, but be prepared to spend some money

http://www.pondboss.com/

[Big Fish Rice]

I've looked into this myself, simply from googling everything. First thing is first, you would have to get permission from the State to alter a wetland. This could involve fees and permits...so this is a good place to start for legality reasons.

When it comes to actually enlarging the pond, you of course would need heavy equipment to dig and shape the area. I would assume this is either through renting or hiring an operator to do the dirty work.

Design is crucial to a pond that will be home to bass and other species of fish; you need to create a food chain essentially. Just throwing some fish in a pond will not create the sustainable environment you are looking for. From the contour of the bottom to the weeds that will help hide the fry, everything needs to be in order.

I have read a couple articles here on BassResource, but Bob Lusk is the "Pond King". His website has lots of information, and there are forums that you can browse. It's exciting to think about, but be prepared to spend some money

http://www.pondboss.com/

[Big Fish Rice]

I've looked into this myself, simply from googling everything. First thing is first, you would have to get permission from the State to alter a wetland. This could involve fees and permits...so this is a good place to start for legality reasons.

When it comes to actually enlarging the pond, you of course would need heavy equipment to dig and shape the area. I would assume this is either through renting or hiring an operator to do the dirty work.

Design is crucial to a pond that will be home to bass and other species of fish; you need to create a food chain essentially. Just throwing some fish in a pond will not create the sustainable environment you are looking for. From the contour of the bottom to the weeds that will help hide the fry, everything needs to be in order.

I have read a couple articles here on BassResource, but Bob Lusk is the "Pond King". His website has lots of information, and there are forums that you can browse. It's exciting to think about, but be prepared to spend some money

http://www.pondboss.com/

[Gatorbassman]

I'm lucky enough to be able to do a little work with Bob Lusk and I can tell you he is the best there is. He know the ins and outs of warm water fisheries and has produced the best bass and bluegill lakes in the country. Check out his website and get involved in their forums. You will lean more than you can imagine from those guys.

[Gatorbassman]

I'm lucky enough to be able to do a little work with Bob Lusk and I can tell you he is the best there is. He know the ins and outs of warm water fisheries and has produced the best bass and bluegill lakes in the country. Check out his website and get involved in their forums. You will lean more than you can imagine from those guys.

[Gatorbassman]

I'm lucky enough to be able to do a little work with Bob Lusk and I can tell you he is the best there is. He know the ins and outs of warm water fisheries and has produced the best bass and bluegill lakes in the country. Check out his website and get involved in their forums. You will lean more than you can imagine from those guys.

[hooked@2]

Thank you, all.  I will be researching Bob Lusk's site this weekend.  If things go well and you are ever in the Wichita, KS area let me know.

[hooked@2]

Thank you, all.  I will be researching Bob Lusk's site this weekend.  If things go well and you are ever in the Wichita, KS area let me know.

[hooked@2]

Thank you, all.  I will be researching Bob Lusk's site this weekend.  If things go well and you are ever in the Wichita, KS area let me know.

[NBR]

Hooked,

I've been in and out of Wichita many times but now that I am retired I probaby won't get back. I would suggest you contact the KS DNR. Many if not most states assist peole in how to build. how to stock etc.

Good Luck

[NBR]

Hooked,

I've been in and out of Wichita many times but now that I am retired I probaby won't get back. I would suggest you contact the KS DNR. Many if not most states assist peole in how to build. how to stock etc.

Good Luck

[NBR]

Hooked,

I've been in and out of Wichita many times but now that I am retired I probaby won't get back. I would suggest you contact the KS DNR. Many if not most states assist peole in how to build. how to stock etc.

Good Luck

[Bluebasser86]

A friend of mine's parents asked for help from KDWP with managing their pond. They not only came out and sampled the pond to see what was in it and what needed done with it but also offered to stock it with the fish that it was needing if they signed it up for the FISH program. You would have to be ok with people fishing your pond but after the first year you could opt out and your pond would still be stocked. They did it and now their pond has lots of really nice bass and crappie in it. I was surprised by how few people fished it while they were enrolled in the program, it is a long walk from the road so that may have had something to do with it. Stay away from "bucket biology" though. We've got zebra mussels and asian carp in many different bodies of water in Kansas, wouldn't want them to make it into your pond.

[Bluebasser86]

A friend of mine's parents asked for help from KDWP with managing their pond. They not only came out and sampled the pond to see what was in it and what needed done with it but also offered to stock it with the fish that it was needing if they signed it up for the FISH program. You would have to be ok with people fishing your pond but after the first year you could opt out and your pond would still be stocked. They did it and now their pond has lots of really nice bass and crappie in it. I was surprised by how few people fished it while they were enrolled in the program, it is a long walk from the road so that may have had something to do with it. Stay away from "bucket biology" though. We've got zebra mussels and asian carp in many different bodies of water in Kansas, wouldn't want them to make it into your pond.

[Bluebasser86]

A friend of mine's parents asked for help from KDWP with managing their pond. They not only came out and sampled the pond to see what was in it and what needed done with it but also offered to stock it with the fish that it was needing if they signed it up for the FISH program. You would have to be ok with people fishing your pond but after the first year you could opt out and your pond would still be stocked. They did it and now their pond has lots of really nice bass and crappie in it. I was surprised by how few people fished it while they were enrolled in the program, it is a long walk from the road so that may have had something to do with it. Stay away from "bucket biology" though. We've got zebra mussels and asian carp in many different bodies of water in Kansas, wouldn't want them to make it into your pond.