Special Ponds
Not all Indiana ponds are suited for growing just bass, bluegill, and catfish. Certain ponds, such as those smaller than 1/2 acre, deep gravel pits, or those larger than 5 acres can be managed in special ways to provide different types of fishing. Still others can be used for growing fish for food only or for growing bait minnows or frogs. However, since this booklet is intended for the pond owner whose main interest is sport fishing, we will discuss only management of special ponds for fishing. Pond owners who would like more information on raising fish for food, either for themselves or commercially, should contact:
Aquaculture Extension Specialist
Department of Animal Science
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 49707
(765) 494-6264
Catfish Ponds
Small, shallow ponds can be used to provide fishing for channel catfish. Each year, a pond owner may wish to buy small channel catfish fingerlings for stocking. They should be stocked at densities up to 1,000 three-inch fingerlings per acre. Catfish will grow rapidly (and can be artificially fed for even faster growth) and will provide fishing as well as "good eating." Stocking larger fingerlings at lower numbers will provide fishing sooner and larger fish by the end of the summer. Aeration may be required to overwinter fish in small, shallow ponds.
Trout Ponds
Deeper, well-oxygenated ponds can be used to provide trout fishing. However, several environmental requirements must be met before trout should be stocked. There must be water cool enough (less than 70°F) that contains ample amounts of dissolved oxygen (greater than five parts per million) throughout the year. Just because you think you have a cool, underground spring that flows in your pond, don't be misled into thinking it will support trout. Underground springs do not contain oxygen. Temperature and dissolved oxygen should be measured at two foot intervals from top to bottom in late August or early September to determine a pond's suitability to support trout.
Trout stocked in small lakes with the proper conditions grow rapidly and bite readily on artificial lures or live bait. Since they will not reproduce, restocking is necessary. Even if your pond does not maintain ideal trout conditions throughout the year, you may wish to consider stocking trout in the fall when water temperature drops below 70°F. Trout bite so well that nearly all may be caught before the following spring when the water temperature rises again. Ponds containing rainbow trout should not be treated with copper sulfate because it is very toxic to them.
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