Fish Ponds – Managing and Weed Control

Q: I purchased a house with a 2 acre lake. What do I need to know about managing it and keeping weeds out?

A: The first thing to determine is the nutrient quality of the water in your lake. You can bring a sample of water taken from the middle of the lake to your local Extension office (1-800-ASKUGA1). For a small fee, the sample will be sent to the University of Georgia and you’ll receive a report on the quality of the water. This will help you determine how much fertilizer the lake needs.

Weed control is a complicated process – you don’t want to harm the fish or the humans who are in the water – but weeds can choke a lake. Your local Extension office has a free publication Using Chemicals in Ponds.

Texas A&M also has an excellent guide to identifying pond weeds.

See also: Current UGA Aquatic Weed Control Recommendations

You might also ask for Managing Sportfishing Ponds for tips on general maintenance.

Here is a list of pond consultants.

see also

Pond Plant Identification

Other Pond Publications

Use of Sterile Grass Carp to Control Aquatic Weeds

Stocking Sportfishing Ponds

Pond Fertilization and Liming

Oxygen Depletion in Ponds

Angler’s Guide to Fish Diseases and Parasites