Pond Observations

[Blue Raider Bob]

1 hour ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

That water is beautiful, are you doing any fertilization of it?

 

All my reading says LGMs prefer the northern most portion of a lake with coves and bays facing south in terms of where to look for Spawning fish.

 

Then I hear one should try to find harder bottom areas within those areas, gravel, clay, etc. VS. muck or mud.    

 

Sounds like your fish are getting ready to spawn.  

     The water is tap water clear this time of year which causes a huge problem with algae. I have Chara and Filamentous algae blooms that create a pond choking effect. The current water color is caused by pond dye. The dye diminishes light penetration to a degree, but I'm still having major issues. When the water warms to 70 deg. I can use algaecide, which is effective but, it is toxic to Zooplankton. I have to treat small areas at a time to keep the food chain healthy.

     Fertilization begins about that time as well. Water soluble fertilizer creates the planktonic algae blooms that give the water a green look, feed the zooplankton, and further diminish sunlight penetration.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

7 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

     The water is tap water clear this time of year which causes a huge problem with algae. I have Chara and Filamentous algae blooms that create a pond choking effect. The current water color is caused by pond dye. The dye diminishes light penetration to a degree, but I'm still having major issues. When the water warms to 70 deg. I can use algaecide, which is effective but, it is toxic to Zooplankton. I have to treat small areas at a time to keep the food chain healthy.

     Fertilization begins about that time as well. Water soluble fertilizer creates the planktonic algae blooms that give the water a green look, feed the zooplankton, and further diminish sunlight penetration.

Right on, I think people assume ponds are easy, basically the exact opposite of reality.    

 

Somebody would have already grown the next WR LGM if it were easy.   

[Blue Raider Bob]

     Pond Observations are getting more difficult. Especially around the dock. Gigi has been here for three years and is usually pretty tolerant of me using her pond. However, once the nest started, she has developed an attitude. The first week of sitting, she would just glide back into the pond. The second week of sitting has seen her develop a stronger protective posture. She now hisses at me and stands her ground. Also, her guy Ralph, bull rushes from the water to the bank whenever I approach. Things may get pretty sticky in the coming week or two. Hatching should occur mid April.  It is becoming a test of wills. I want to use my dock but it's not as easy as it has been. Water temps have risen to upper 50's due to our current warming trend. This has caused much activity including the first voices of the Leopard Frogs. The wet weather creek is now populated by salamander larva, (Red Spotted Newt). Haven't seen Tiger Salamanders in several years.

[Deleted account]

9 minutes ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

     Pond Observations are getting more difficult. Especially around the dock. Gigi has been here for three years and is usually pretty tolerant of me using her pond. However, once the nest started, she has developed an attitude. The first week of sitting, she would just glide back into the pond. The second week of sitting has seen her develop a stronger protective posture. She now hisses at me and stands her ground. Also, her guy Ralph, bull rushes from the water to the bank whenever I approach. Things may get pretty sticky in the coming week or two. Hatching should occur mid April.  It is becoming a test of wills. I want to use my dock but it's not as easy as it has been. Water temps have risen to upper 50's due to our current warming trend. This has caused much activity including the first voices of the Leopard Frogs. The wet weather creek is now populated by salamander larva, (Red Spotted Newt). Haven't seen Tiger Salamanders in several years.

 

I have a spot I fish that gets loaded with Canada geese every spring. Let the male get in your face and get all like "I got this dear, you watch the kids" and just when he thinks he's scared you off bop him on the head with your rod, he might hiss and puff out his chest, but from then on he'll just back down to the nest and hiss next time he sees you.