Hey guys,

In a recent conversation with a friend, we were discussing the effects of putting in a gravel bed in a 6 acre neighborhood lake. I think it would be a good idea, however he believes it may disrupt the ecosystem. Do you guys think gravel beds are good for spawning, or bad? And if so, how would you make yours?

PB

I think it could be a good idea, especially if the pond is mostly soft bottom. What was his reasoning on the effects to the ecosystem?

Yep.

I put concrete blocks and rocks into a specific area in a local pond.

He says the spawning is already good enough. I just wanted to test one 10 foot long bed in a less productive spot and see how it did. Do you guys ever use gravel beds?

I don't know if putting in the gravel will help the spawn, but it will probably get more fish to spawn in one location, which could be good or bad depending if the people fishing know how to handle a fish on nest.

It would help the spawn if the pond is a situation where the fish don't have much for hard bottoms. Fish will spawn in basically any habitat, but the results of the spawn will be effected by the specific conditions they have. Even if they already have good spawning areas, adding a gravel bed won't "hurt" the ecosystem. It may change it slightly at the level of plankton and that type of thing, but a 10 foot gravel bed in a 6 acre pond won't make any significant impact overall.

If you have the time and the money, I would do it. Really a low-risk high-reward type of situation.