Don't know about any of you, but my largest pond of 2 is almost as low as it was in 99! I had that pond enlarged back in the summer of 99 when it was only half acre in size with normal size of 3 1/2 acres. I had depth added and some brooding fingers put in as well. Now, I'm starting to see several little islands showing and practically the only water of any depth is out in front of the dam which now is only about 3-4 feet at the most. My little pond (full pool 1/2 acre) is almost dry and probably could fit in most folks garage now. It has less than a foot of water in the entire pond with a few sunfish left in it.

Yes, I know we need rain and I would welcome 6-10 inches of it at once to fill them back up, but also, I want the little pond to dry up so I could clean out the silt/debris and increase the depth to it, then stock golden shiners and Georgia Giants in it.

The big pond has both blue and channel cats which were stocked back in Dec 2000 along with redear and coppernose sunfish and black crappie. The blues have been a pain to catch since they have this attitude about them not wanting to hit any type of live or dead bait (no I'm not feeding either)and they have reached weights of 10-12 lbs along with the channels. The sunfish are well over hand-size and some pushing a pound...crappie are up to 16" and numerous in all sizes.

I have been trotlining the catfish, but the only bait I have success (very little) with is catfish soap since the sunfish and turtles take most everything else off. Even using live perch or fresh shad, makes not difference, the turtles and perch are hitting it as soon as I put it on.

My only other alternative is setting my gill net and literally staying up all night and running the thing to get as much fish out of my "big pond" as I can before I end up losing them to low DO levels, lack of space and forage.

Looking for advice from others dealing with this problem. I wouldn't mind stocking my freezer with fish.

Thanks,
Chris

Is an aerator feasible for the large pond? It might buy you some time, but this being June and you're already in this position doesn't bode well for those fish. You can sparingly add a little forage such as small blue gill and minnows if your really bent on keeping them alive.
If I were to attempt to catch them or net them for transplanting, I would either try to do it without disturbing the bottom and stirring up all that mud which would likely contribute to your DO issues.

I'd say go to pondboss.com and ask the boss.

My 10 acre pond got down to 3 acres before I got a good rain in March to fill it back up. I hate worrying about a big fish kill from low DO, but that's about all you can do is worry.

I don't want to transplant them and especially not add any forage to that pond either...more fish=less oxygen and room plus added money to feed them.

The pond has plenty of forage in it, I just want to get what eating size fish out of there.

Aerator is not feasible...too far from electricity and that's an extra expense.

I'm not going to worry about it with whatever may take place...no use in doing that.

Thanks for the suggestions

You dont need electricity. I bought a konders windmill for mine. It works great. the wind is always blowing a little. Sometimes, I look out at it and wonder how the mill is turning, because I feel no wind at all.
http://store.livingwateraeration.com/16wipoaekit.html
Try this out. Its the best thing I have ever done. I plan to by 2 more for my other ponds. I talked to a guy here in town that has had one for 3 years. The only thing he has done, is add a shot of grease once a year.

Sein it. Better get 'em before the fish cranes and coons. And start over when the rains come again.

We had two small tanks cleaned out this spring. Rains never came. We have enough water 1~2 ft to add minners though.

Phish-TX

www.pondboss.com those guys are all fruity over ponds.

Some good advice and experts there