Ponds

Willows are fairly recognizable by almost everyone. They are very fast growing deciduous shrubs or trees that can grow as high as 100 feet tall. Far from being a commonly perceived nuisance aquatic plant, willows exhibit grace, grandeur, and beauty, and many pond and stream owners encourage them to grow. However, if allowed to go unchecked, willows can form dense thickets that make access to the body of water in question difficult. In addition, while they provide nice shade from the hot sun during summer, they also provide ample habitat in which fishing lines can get tangled.

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) is an attractive plant that has, in addition to a beautiful yellow flower, seed pods commonly used in floral arrangements. However, like most water lilies, the plant tends to grow so densely that the leaves can cover a pond's entire surface, making recreational use difficult. The plant does have some slight value as a wildlife food source: wood ducks and mallards eat the large seeds, and muskrats and beavers feed on the leaves, which also provide shade and shelter for small fish and invertebrates. However, water lilies also create an ideal habitat for mosquito larvae. The seeds and tubers are frequently eaten by man, either green or cooked, and have a taste similar to chestnuts.

Alligator-weed is not native to the United States but was intro1 duced from South America; although not as common to Maryland as waterprimrose (Jussiaea angustifolia), it can inhabit different fresh water and brackish water ponds; the plant often grows along the pond bank in water less than three feet. Whether free-floating, loosely attached, rooted emersed, or in a dry field, alligator weed is often found in conjunction with other aquatic species.

Aquatic plants are an important part of the natural ecology of a pond. However, when they interfere with the intended use of the pond, they become "weeds" that must be controlled and managed. This fact sheet introduces the types of aquatic plants commonly found in Maryland ponds and some methods used to control them.

Algal growth during the spring and summer in farm ponds, lakes and reservoirs can pose a number of problems: in ponds used for irrigation, for example, algae can clog pumps, block filters and cause odor problems; they can also be very unsightly. But algae can also bloom in winter - that is the case, for example, for the city of Cumberland reservoirs. In fact, some of the greatest challenges managers of reservoirs must face come in the cooler months.

County Soil Conservation District Contacts

DNR Regional Office Contacts

During late June-July in ponds stocked 2 years or more, use a 1/4" mesh minnow seine 15-20 feet long and 4-6 feet deep either in an arc or along the shoreline of the pond. Collect fish and analyze populations as follows: 

The population structure of bass-bluegill ponds can be determined by using a "seine survey". A seine survey involves working a small seine along the edges of the pond, then examining the sizes and numbers of fish caught. A 4-foot by 6-foot seine with 1/8 to¼ inch mesh is the standard seine sold as a minnow seine.

Sure, you want to get a fishable population established as quickly as possible but don't make a big mistake by incorrect stocking. Allowing "friends" to put fish in your pond without regard to size or species can lead to population imbalances and management problems down the road. And... it's a short road!