Genesee County
Soil and Water Conservation District
29 Liberty Street, Suite 3  Batavia, NY 14020
(585) 343-2362
FISH AND POND
MANUAL
Rev 2008 Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District
Staff
George Squires
District Manager
Bob Berkemeier
Conservation Technician
Elizabeth Bentley-Huber
Conservation Technician-AEM Coordinator
JDUHG(OOLRWW
Conservation 7HFKQLFLDQ
MROO\6WHW]
Board of Directors
6KHOOH\6WHLQ
Chairman/HJLVODWXUH
7HG.RQLHF]ND
9ice-Chair)DUP%XUHDX
*UHJJ7RUUH\
Legislature
0DULURVH(WKLQJWRQ
$W/DUJH
'HQQLV3KHOSV
*UDQJH
Conservation Technician
JoGL&KDPEHUODLQ
District Clerk/Treasurer
E-mail addresses:
first name.last [email protected]
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fish and Pond Program Page 2
Index
Index
Pond Checklist
Page 4
Building a Pond in Genesee Co.
Page 5
Recommended Stocking Rates
Page 5
Spawning Areas
Page 5
Pond Maintenance Tips
Page 6
Pond Layout and Design
Page 6
Habitat Enhancement
Page 6
When Is a Pond Permit Required?
Page 7
Preventing Oxygen Depletion
Page 7
Water Temperature Is Important
Page 7
Summer Fish Kills
Page 8
Pond Weeds in Genesee County
Pages 9-27
Fish and Water Terminology
Page 28-29
Cold Water Ponds
Page 30
Fish Facts
Page 31
Crayfish-All Ponds
Page 31
Fish Sold by Genesee County Soil &Water CD
Page 32-40
Ways to Control Pond Weeds
Page 41
Grass Carp
Page 42
Barley Straw
Page 43
Prevention of Algae
Page 44
Swimmer’s Itch
Page 45
Windmills
Page 46
Zebra Mussel
Page 47
Mosquitoes
Page 48
Great Blue Heron
Page 49
Application for a Permit for Grass Carp
Page 50
Application for Farm Pond Fish License
Page 51
References
Pages 52-53
Notes Page
Page 54
Fish and Pond Program Page 3
Pond Checklist
Pond Plan Checklist
Ponds, for a variety of
uses, including water
supply, wildlife habitat,
and recreation are very
popular in our area.
Each year the Genesee
County Soil and Water
Conservation District
receives numerous calls
from property owners
interested in building a
pond. If you think a
pond would enhance
your landscape, here are some important facts that
you need to know.
Pond Site Facts for Genesee County
1. Local zoning regulations may require that your
pond be at least 100 feet from roadways and
property boundaries.
2. Some towns require that the Genesee County
Soil and Water Conservation District review a
pond site before construction. SWCD staff will
conduct a pond site evaluation free of charge.
3. Parcels facing county or state highways require
approval by the Genesee County Planning Board
in addition to Town Planning Board approval.
The approval process can take from one to three
months, depending upon schedules for planning
board meetings.
4. Residents can build their own ponds if applicable
town and county approval requirements are met.
5. Test holes (at least six feet deep) must be dug at
the property owner’s expense. This process requires a backhoe and is performed while SWCD
staff are conducting an on-site evaluation of
soils, bedrock, and water table conditions.
6. Soil types, topography, tax parcel boundaries,
wetlands, and
stream locations
may restrict pond
sites. Building a
pond in a wetland
or within a 100foot buffer zone
requires a permit
from the New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). Genesee County SWCD may
assist in preparing the permit application.
7. Materials excavated from the pond that will be
used for a dike must be able to hold water in the
pond. Some soil types are not suitable for dike
construction.
8. SWCD fees to plan a pond are: $300 deposit,
refundable upon completion of pond according
to guidelines set forth in the design and after no
more than two years. The first two hours of consultation are free, after that there is a charge of
$25.00 per hour.
9. Fish habitat requires an eight to ten feet depth,
minimum. SWCD sells golden shiners, walleye,
bass, trout, fathead minnows, catfish, and grass
carp. Grass carp purchases require a permit from
the NYS DEC. SWCD will assist you in preparing the permit application.
10. All aquatic vegetation chemical controls require
permits from NYS DEC.
11. If you would like more information about ponds,
call us at 343-2362 Monday-Friday between the
hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Fish and Pond Program Page 4
Build a Pond in Genesee County –George Squires, Dist. Manager
New property owners seeking to construct a pond, whether for recreational activities or for wildlife use, will find that each pond site
varies. Among the variations are size, cost, type, usage, and site construction conditions.
When planning to build a pond, the first contact to make is with your Town Zoning Officer. Five Towns in Genesee County
(Bethany, Darien, Elba, Pembroke, and Stafford) require the site be reviewed by the Soil and Water Conservation District prior to
construction or as a condition of being issued a permit by the Town. Most Towns (except Batavia, Bergen, Byron, and Darien) require a pond to be located on the property not less than 100 feet from any street or property line. In all instances, the landowner
should contact the local zoning enforcement officer to confirm the requirements and obtain any necessary zoning permits.
When a property owner requests our services to evaluate a site for pond or wildlife marsh construction, we will require a fee of
$30.00 per hour after two free hours per site visit. This will include an evaluation of the site in general, soil suitability, drainage,
topography, watershed, discussion of costs, sizes, structures, equipment needs, and values. This will include time necessary to review soil test pits and a letter, if required by the local municipality, acknowledging the site is suitable for a pond. The letter will verify that pond construction according to plans will not cause damage to other property. We do not issue permits to build ponds.
If the property owner decides to construct a pond and wishes a design and construction supervision, we will require a $300.00 deposit. The deposit will be returned only when the pond has been constructed according to standards and specifications of the design
as interpreted by the district technician involved (includes seeding all disturbed soil areas. Property owners may be charged an additional fee for a building or special use permit by their local town municipality. Occasionally, we find the design for a pond or marsh
is beyond our authority. In those cases a property owner will be instructed to contact a licensed professional engineer to draw up
plans and specifications for construction.
Some pond sites may involve NYS Freshwater Wetlands. Our office can assist in determining the pond location relative to mapped
NYS freshwater wetlands, and advise you on wetlands permit application documents for a fee of $50. NYS DEC charges an additional fee for the permit.
Recommended Stocking for a New, Warm-Water
Pond in Genesee County
Spawning Areas
Stocking Rates What do we recommend for stocking a
new fish pond? Factors including size, pond depth, location, temperatures, weeds present or not present, structure
and clarity all determine what kind and how many fish to
stock. Below is an example of the maximum stocking rates
for ponds that are 1/2 acre, 1/3 acre, and 1 acre. You will
need proper aeration. We recommend approximately a 3 to
1 ratio of non-predator/predator fish. Size of fish shown
below can be changed, if desired. If you need help with
this, call our office.
Spawning Areas:
Largemouth bass prefer weed beds, shallow mud or sand
areas of the pond. Walleye prefer shallow to midrange
depth on gravelly bed. Beds should be about sixty feet in
diameter.
Yellow Perch, Minnows, and Shiners prefer weed areas
in shallow water. You may stock your pond as soon as you
have established some cover. Throw in an old Christmas
tree!
1/3- acre pond, 8-10' deep: 250, no trout recommended, 50
4-6" channel catfish, 50 4-5" perch, 25 3-5" bass, 2 gallons
of minnows
1/2- acre pond, 10 - 12' deep: 300 3-4" - trout, 75 4-6"
channel catfish, 75 4-5" perch, 50 3-5" bass, 2 gallons of
minnows.
1- acre pond, over 14' deep: 500 3-4" - trout, 100 4-6"
channel catfish, 100 4-5" perch, 100 3-5" bass, and 3 gallons of minnows.
Fish and Pond Program Page 5
Some Pond Maintenance Tips
Over time, pond dams can become damaged by muskrats, weeds, or vegetation.
The roots of trees or brush that have
grown on the levees could penetrate the
dam, decompose, and form channels that
may cause leaks or dam failure. They
could also loosen the soil, causing the
dam to loose its strength. Most farm
ponds need clearing to maintain the integrity of the levee.
Heavy rains may damage the emergency spillway. This must be kept free
of trash in order to function properly.
Water leaving over the emergency
spillway should not be over one or two
inches deep. Fencing spillway is not
recommended as debris can accumulate and cause the water to pour over
the top of the dam, leading to possible
dam failure. A horizontal bar spillway
barrier con-
structed of parallel iron bars, one
inch apart, retains fish and is less
susceptible to clogging.
Older ponds may have an accumulation of silt, which may create shallow
areas in the pond. Silt must be
physically removed.
Pond Layout and Depth
Layout and Survey of Ponds
· 1/4 acre size minimum
· Side slopes no steeper than 2:1 horizontal to vertical
· Bottom and sides of pond should be as rough as possible for fish habitat.
Pond Depth
· For 1/4 acre ponds, recommended depth is ten feet. Larger ponds
require at least eight feet of water. Largemouth Bass and Fathead
minnows need eight to ten feet of water.
· Trout can be stocked in warm/cold water ponds, but a depth of fifteen
feet is needed for fish survival.
Habitat Enhancement Notes
To enhance pond habitat, place piles of
stones, gravel, or concrete blocks in various areas of the pond during construction. If the pond is full of water, drop
two to four wheel barrow loads from a
boat. Better yet, wait until winter and
carefully pile some stones on the ice.
When the ice melts in the spring, the
stones will drop to the bottom.
Take piles of compacted bundles of
brush tied with copper wire, anchor in
10-feet areas in about two to four feet of
water for extra minnow habitat. This is
normally done in new ponds before the
vegetation begins to grow. Place piles of
brush in established ponds to create a
more diverse habitat.
Anchor logs from the shoreline into
the water to give predator fish a
shady area to hide under or near a
diverse habitat. Tops of logs that are
above water can be used by turtles or
wild ducks for resting sites.
A well balanced pond would consist
of some aquatic vegetation for fish
habitat, some predator fish. Fathead
minnows, golden shiners, along with
frogs, tad poles, crayfish, and insects
and their larvae should be present.
We also will be glad to help with
grass carp permits.
Before the pond fills with water, plant
a fast-growing crop in the bottom. If
construction is completed in the fall
and the pond is not expected to completely fill for two or three months, rye
grass or oats can be broadcast over the
pond bottom. This will greatly benefit
the fertility of the water and serve to
stabilize the bottom to aid in preventing turbid water.
If you wish to have fish in your
pond, our office can obtain for you a
number of cold or warm water fish.
Fish and Pond Program Page 64
When is a Pond Permit Required?
A permit or license is required
to:
1. Stock fish
2. Use fish toxicants
3. Apply chemicals to water.
(Only certified applicators
will be granted permits by
the NYS DEC to apply
chemicals to water. Those
sold in stores must be approved by DEC.)
If you have any questions regarding permits, please call our
office.
Applications for grass carp permits and fish pond licenses are
in the back of this brochure.
See permits on Pages 45 and
46.
Preventing Oxygen Deficiency
When oxygen deficiency occurs, aerate your pond by means of an aeration pump,
drawing water from mid-depth and spraying it back over the pond. To prevent winter
oxygen deficiency, keep ice free of snow throughout the winter. For ponds up 1/2 acre
in size, keep the entire pond clear. For larger ponds, clear 1/2 acre for each surface
acre. You could cut 15 –20 holes at 2-3 inches in diameter through the ice evenly distributed on a 1/4 acre pond. Pump water from the pond and let it flow over the ice
back into the pond. Do this three to four hours several times a day throughout the winter. Many shallow lakes and ponds normally receive the majority of their dissolved
oxygen through plant photosynthesis. The remainder of the oxygen found in these
water bodies is supplied by wind and wave action. Moderate to heavy snow packs on
top of the ice will greatly reduce sunlight penetration and photosynthesis. As aquatic
plants die, the decomposition process uses up oxygen. The levels of oxygen can become depleted in just a few days or over the course of the winter, depending upon the
severity of the conditions. When oxygen is being consumed at a higher rate than it is
being produced, fish will suffocate.
Fish kills can seem alarming to people who witness them, however, it is just a natural
form of winterkill and is just one type of mortality. Rapidly fluctuating water temperatures, extremely warm water temperatures, spawning activity, unbalanced fish
populations, low oxygen levels, poor nutrition, and fish diseases are all common
causes of fish die-offs. If pond owners feel the fish population of their ponds will not
recover from a kill off and would like to order more, call our office for more information.
Water Temperature of Ponds is Important When Stocking Fish
Before stocking a pond, it is important to know the temperature of both the surface and the base of the pond. For trout,
the bottom water in the pond remains cool. For bass, shiners, and perch, it is important that the surface becomes warm.
Trout prefer surface water temperatures not warmer than 70 º F. Bottom water can be colder than that of the surface by
as much as 12 º F. Trout grow more quickly and are more healthy in colder water. This type of fish seldom reproduces
in farm ponds, seldom survive beyond three years, and usually must be restocked every two years to maintain satisfactory fishing. If you have a newly established pond, it is best to start with trout simply because they do not last and it is
easier to switch to another type when you wish to do so. Once warm-water species are established in the pond, it is impossible to change over to trout without first killing off the entire warm-water population. This can be done by draining
the pond or by using chemicals, either of which may present difficulties. Use of chemicals requires a permit from New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
In a warm-water pond, surface water temperatures can remain above 80 degrees F. for considerable periods in the summer. Largemouth bass, Golden Shiners, Fathead minnows and Perch are good warm-water fish. Suitable ponds should
be stocked with 500 Fathead minnows or Golden Shiners per surface acre. In most ponds under one acre of surface
area, bass predation usually eliminate the
forage fish within a four-year period.
Minnows and Shiners reproduce the year
following stocking and each year thereafter. Shiners begin to spawn in May when
the water temperatures reach 60-64 degrees
F. and continue throughout the summer.
Both types make excellent bait.
Fish and Pond Program Page 7
Summer Fish Kills in Farm Ponds and Algae
Every year, the district receives calls regarding fish kills during
the summer. While some of the fish kills can be attributed to
chemical contamination, most are due to either an algae die-off
or a physical process called thermal destratification or pond
turnover. Both problems result in decreases in dissolved oxygen levels in farm ponds.
When the dissolved oxygen levels drop too low, the fish will
either die directly from asphyxiation or days later due to disease outbreaks caused by stress associated with low dissolved
oxygen.
Cause of Fish Kills
overall reduction in the dissolved oxygen level. Fish previously able to avoid the oxygen-depleted layer are now susceptible to low-dissolved oxygen syndrome and possibly
death.
Warning Signs
Warning signs of potential “problem” ponds include heavy
algae blooms which result in a pea soup look of the pond
water. Heavy algae blooms coupled with extended periods
of cloudy weather or thunderstorms are all that is needed to
trigger oxygen depletions. Cloudy weather can lead to algae
die-offs while thunderstorms can cause pond turnover.
Green planktonic (microscopic) algae are essential to
oxygen production in farm ponds. Farm ponds normally
have a faint green color, and water should be clear
enough to see around 2 1/2 to 3 feet vertically into the
pond water. When there are enough nutrients present in
the water, algae “blooms” occur and give the water a rich
green or “pea-soup” color. Water clarity decreases as a
result of these alga blooms to the point that your hand is
not visible in as little as six inches of water. If these alga
blooms are followed by periods of cloudy weather, there
will be a potential of alga die-off and a fish kill.
An early warning sign of impeding problems is a color
change in
the water
from a rich
green to a
tea color.
Another
more acute
signal will
be fish
swimming
Temperature determines the amount of dissolved gases
lethargi(oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, for example) in the
cally at the
water. The cooler the water, the more soluble the gas.
surface of
Water has a high-heat capacity and unique density quali- water.
ties. Water has its maximum density at 39.4 Degrees F. The fish
In the spring, water temperatures are nearly equal at all
may appond depths. As a result, nutrients, dissolved gases, and pear to be
fish wastes are evenly mixed throughout the pond. As
gasping for air. By the time you see the fish at the surface, it
the air temperature increases in the summer, the surface is usually too late for the farm pond owner. The fish are
water becomes warmer and lighter while the cooler,
stressed to the point that the large fish will die, at worst, all
denser water forms a layer underneath.
the fish will die.
Circulation of the colder bottom water is prevented because of the different densities between the two stratified
layers of water. Dissolved oxygen levels decrease in the
bottom layer since photosynthesis and contact with the
air is reduced. The already low-oxygen levels are further
reduced through decomposition of waste products, which
settle to the pond bottom.
Prevention
There is no way to avoid pond turnover or algae die-offs.
Both are natural processes in farm ponds. There are, however, a few precautions a farm pond owner can take to reduce
the risks. First, follow recommended fish stocking densities.
As a rule, farm ponds can support around 300 pounds of fish
per acre. Secondly, excessive nutrients in ponds promote
aquatic plant growth. By eliminating unnecessary nutrients,
Summer stratification is a greater problem for fish in
(call office for a technician for advice if needed), the farm
deeper farm ponds. Stratification may last for several
weeks. This condition may develop into a major fish kill pond owner lowers the risk of excessive algae populations.
when sudden summer rains occur. These rains will cool Fish feeds contain nutrients which promote algae growth.
the warmer upper layer of water enough to allow it to mix Even though it is enjoyable to watch fish eat, feeding does
with the oxygen-poor layer until temperatures are again increase the risk of excessive algae buildup. Finally, proper
control of aquatic plants lowers the risks of a summer fish
mixed evenly throughout the pond, resulting in an
kill.
Fish
andand
Pond
Program
Fish
Pond
Pgm Page 78
Pond Weeds in Genesee County - Planktonic Algae
Before we begin, it is important to note
that algae problems usually occur due
to ponds being neglected. Often times
people think you can simply “dig a
hole” and then let the pond take care of
itself. Unfortunately, this is not the
case. Healthy ponds require proper
aeration, bacteria treatments and adequate pond weed management.
Planktonic algae are microscopic, freefloating photosynthetic creatures that
give the pond water its characteristic
green color and are usually suspended
in the top few feet of water. Their pres- Above: Algae create a green cast in pond
ence will cause water to appear peasoup green or brownish. They are the primary producers of dissolved oxygen in pond water and are neither
plant, animal, nor fungi. One way to test to see the algae density is to nail a bright colored object such as a
coffee can lid to be bottom of a yardstick. Place the yardstick in the water and observe the depth at which the
light-colored object disappears. In a healthy pond, the light-colored object should be visible at a depth of 24 inches. If the object disappears
before a depth of 24 inches, a bloom of microscopic algae is taking
place in the pond. If it is lost before 10 inches of water, the bloom is
heavy and you may want to seek advice concerning about algae control.
Contrary to popular belief, the presence of a healthy level of microscopic algae in a pond is important to good water quality and health of
pond inhabitants. Algae forms the broad base on which the food pyramid in ponds is built. However, a sudden die-off of overabundant
blooms, caused by a change in water temperature over several days, can
Above: Close up of Planktonic algae in a
deplete oxygen levels in the pond. This can result in a die-off of
aquatic organisms. Pond owners will recognize the presence of an algal
bloom when the pond water changes from a clear, green color to a pea-soup green.
Algae, the major food of fish (and thus indirectly many other animals) are a keystone in the aquatic food chain
of life; they are the primary producers of the food that provide the energy to power the whole system. They
are also important to aquatic life in their capacity to supply oxygen through photosynthesis. Other uses of
algae are products like agar and carrageen, which are used as a stabilizer in foods, cosmetics, and paints.
There are over 17,400 known species of algae. Thousands more probably exist. They are primitive plants
closely related to fungi. They exhibit no true leaves, stems or root systems and reproduce by means of spores,
cell division or fragmentation. They “live” from excess nutrients in the water and sunlight
for growth. Grass
carp are not a recommended form of
algae control.
Fish and Pond Program Page 9
Pond Weeds in Genesee County -Filamentous Algae
The algae that give pond owners the most headaches is
Filamentous algae. Blooms of this algae begin in clear
water in shallow areas where sunlight can penetrate the
water to reach the soil of the pond bottom. Algal cells
join together in long strands resembling green hairs,
which grow in fur-like clumps along the pond bottom and
edges, breaking off and floating to the surface to form
dense mats. Sudden die-offs of dense blooms of filamentous algae can create serious water quality problems, not
to mention unattractive and odorous conditions as the
dead algae decay.
Filamentous algae, also called “moss” or “pond scum”,
forms dense mats of hair-sized strands. New growth begins on submergent objects on pond bottoms. As the
plant grows, the plant gives oxygen that becomes entrapped in the mat of strands which gives it buoyancy and
causes it to float to the surface. Once risen, the plant can
cover larger amounts of the pond surface. The plant reproduces by plant fragments, spores, and cell division.
Identification of this algae is difficult because a microscopic examination is necessary. However, there a few
species that are very distinguishable by their texture. For
example, spirogyra is bright green and slimy to the touch;
Cladophora has a cottony feel; and Pithorphora is often
referred to as “horse hair” algae because its coarse texture
resembles that of horse hair and it may feel like steel
wool.
Some Methods of Control include physically removing large floating clumps with a rake. This will prevent
the algae from decomposing in the pond and consuming dissolved oxygen. Algae that has been removed can
be piled for composting or can be used in a garden as mulch. Another method
would be to deepen as many shallow areas of the pond as possible so that
light does not penetrate to the soil of the pond bottom. Water depths of three
feet or more will help to control the start of aquatic problems. Another
method is to control the amount of nutrients running into the pond. Reducing
the use of phosphorous-rich fertilizers close to the pond and/or planting a
buffer strip of high grasses or shrubs around a side of the pond with a steep bank or drainage
area can help to reduce the amount of nutrient laden run-off entering the pond. Diversion
trenches to redirect run-off around the pond banks can be used in some situations. Sometimes chemicals must be used but you must contact the NYS DEC to obtain a permit. One
must be careful not to have a sudden die off of algae, which would cause a significant drop in the
amount of dissolved oxygen available in the pond,
not to mention the awful mess left by the dying
algae. Note: See Barley Straw on Page 42.
Fish and Pond Program Page 10
Pond Weeds in Genesee County-Attached-erect algae (Chara, Nitella, Muskgrass)
This is a bottom growing "advanced" form of algae that is commonly confused with other weeds. It has a musky odor
and a gritty feel to it, which is due to the calcium deposits on its surface. A close relative is called Nitella. These forms
of algae can actually be quite beneficial. They cover the bottom and crowd out less desirable species, such as Eurasian
Water milfoil, while filtering the water and providing cover for aquatic organisms. Here
are some facts:
· When the algae has been pulled out and let dry on shore, it will turn white, versus the
normal dark color a regular plant will turn.
· After it has dried for a couple of weeks, Chara will actually turn to a powder when
touched.
· Chara is gritty to the touch and has a very unpleasant odor.
· Since Chara uses calcium out of the water, it is not unusual to have extremely clear
water, so much that you can see the bottom of the pond at all depths.
· Other common names for Chara are Muskgrass or Stonewort.
· Leaf-like structures are whorled about the stem at fairly uniform intervals. Chara has a
hollow stem.
· Some species will stay close to the bottom and not interfere with water use. These help
stabilize bottom sediments, provide good fish habitat, and crowd out
less desirable plants.
· Chara is commonly found in Western New York.
Nitella is similar, but it has a reddish color. Chara and Nitella are very
resistant to chemical treatment and require twice the dosage of other
algae. Unless you catch the attached-erect algae early, it will take a
number of chemical treatments to eliminate. These plants like a lot of
sunlight, so use of pond dye to reduce sunlight penetration can help
reduce this algae infestation.
Grass carp will eat algae, but it will most likely eat it when the carp are small or when there is little else to eat.
Value - Chara is an excellent food source for waterfowl and various fish species. It is home to many microscopic animals and algae and provides good cover for small fish. Generally considered a beneficial plant, Chara can become a
problem in shallow ponds.
Mechanical Control - Not recommended since Chara can spread from fragments.
Nutrient Management - Overabundant plant growth is usually caused by excessive nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous). These nutrients may come from runoff from barnyards, crop fields, septic systems, lawns, golf courses, and
livestock, including geese and ducks. Long-term control of
overabundant plants is best accomplished by reducing or redirecting nutrient sources to the pond. This may be done by
reducing fertilizer use near the pond, maintaining septic systems, directing nutrient-laden runoff away from the pond, or
maintaining buffer strips around the pond. If you fail to address the underlying nutrient cause of plant growth, you must
rely on continual removal of the plants using mechanical,
biological or chemical control techniques.
Fish and Pond Program Page 11
Pond Weeds in Genesee County - Duckweed
(Lemnaceae)
Duckweed can distinguished by simply looking to see if the floating mat is made up of small, single plants (all
appearing like very small clover plants-anywhere from one to two tiny leaves per plant.) These small duckweed plants almost always have a tiny half-inch root that hangs down from the bottom of each plant as it
floats on the surface of the water. As far as scale, each single duckweed plant (all leaves) will usually fit
within your small fingernail. These plants grow so close together that in a pond they appear as one huge mat.
Duckweed has been found to double
their mass in between 16 to 20 days
under optimal conditions, including nutrient availability,
sunlight and water temperature. When conditions are good, duckweed contains considerable protein, fat,
starch, and minerals which appear to be mobilized for biomass growth when nutrient concentrations fall below
critical levels for growth. Duckweed has been fed to animals and fish to complement their diets, largely to
provide a protein of high biological value. Pigs can use duckweed as a protein/energy source with slightly less
efficiency than soybean meal.
Duckweed makes a fast sustainable harvest of bulk plants for livestock fodder, aquaculture feeds, waterfowl
grazing, and compost materials. This plant produces more protein per square meter than soybeans, is easier to
harvest than other aquatic plants, can be used for feed for farm animals, and provides food for wildlife, especially waterfowl. Interestingly, duckweed are extremely efficient absorbers of ammonia, nitrate, phosphorous,
potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, chlorine, boron and iron. This plant can remove as much as 99% of
the nutrients and dissolved solids in wastewater and are used in some water purification plants.
More information can be located at http://www.cipav.org.co/1rrd/lrrd7/1/3.htm.
Fish and Pond Program Page 12
Pond Weeds in Genesee County—Yellow Water Buttercup (Ranunculus flabellaris)
Characteristics:
Yellow water-buttercup is an aquatic
perennial with freely branching, hollow
stems. Some plants may be entirely
free-floating with only tips of the leaves and stem and flowers emerging
from the water, while others may be totally exposed and out of the water.
On mud flats, the stems are lax to prostrate and the stems root easily at the nodes. The leaves are all found
alternating along the stems, with two types of leaves. It blooms in April and May, with bright yellow flowers
approximately 2.5 cm in diameter. Flowers typically are elevated above the surface of the water. There are
five greenish-yellow sepals that are spreading and deciduous, measuring from 5 to 8 mm long. The five or
more yellow petals are 9 to 12 mm. long.
Location: The yellow water-buttercup is found in shallow ponds, marshes, slow moving streams or rivers,
and on mud flats at lower elevations.
Identification: This plant can easily be confused with Chara. However, when dried, the buttercup turn blackish-brown, while Chara turns white and crumbles easily. The buttercup has nodules on it from the blossoms, while the Chara does not. You must look for these characteristics to make a determination.
Field Characteristics: It is an aquatic herb, either floating or submerged. Leaves are highly variable. The
submerged leaves are flattened and dissected into many segments 1-2 mm. wide. The emergent leaves, if present, are 3-parted. Flowers are on emergent, long, thick stalks. Petals number 5 and are 6.5 to 16 mm. long and
golden yellow. Nutlets are 1.7-2.2 mm. long and are arranged in a densely-packed, fruiting head. The nutlets
have a corky margin at maturity. It flowers from April to June.
Fish and Pond Program Page 13
Pond Weeds in Genesee County -Sago Pond Weed (Potomogeton pectinatus)
Sago pondweed is a perennial plant that arises from
thickly matted rhizomes and has no floating leaves. The
stems are thin, long, and highly branched with leaves
very thin and filament-like, about 1/16 of an inch wide
and 2” to over 12” long, tapering to a point. The leaves
grow in thick layers and originate from a sheath. The
fruit is nut-like, 1/8 to 1/4 inches long and 1/10 to 1/8
inches wide.
Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats
for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife
species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, and ducks). After
aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and
fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic
invertebrates. Sago pondweed is an excellent food for
waterfowl which eat both the fruits and tubers.
FIELD CHARACTERISTICS: An aquatic, perennial herb. This pondweed has a bushy appearance because of its
much-branched stems and numerous thread-like leaves spreading in a fan-like fashion. The leaves are all submerged.
Fruits are 2.5-4.5 mm. long, not including the tiny beak. It flowers from June to September.
ECOLOGICAL NOTES: Sago pondweed is found in marshes, lakes and streams usually at depths to 5 feet, rarely to
10 feet, especially in calcareous, mix of saline and saline waters. The pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.) in general are
among the most important of all aquatic plants for wildlife food, and sago pondweed may be the most important because
of its abundant production of fruit and tubers. The entire plant is relished as food by waterfowl. It also provides good
fish habitat.
Sago Pondweed
Family Potamogetonaceae (Pondweed)
Class
Monocot
Description
Submersed rooted, alternate long narrow leaves with distinct point, flowers emergent and inconspicuous, wind or water pollinated, reproduces by
stolons and both subterranean and auxiliary tubers
US Distribution
Throughout North America
Worldwide Distribution
*Eutrophic: Excess nitrogen and
Almost worldwide
phosphorus, growth of green algae
Ecology
(Photosynthesis), green colored water,
Submersed in both static and flow- decaying algae settle to the bottom ,
ing waters
bacterial decomposition of decaying
algae, and anaerobic condition in orEconomic Importance
May form nuisance growths in eu- ganic mud
trophic* streams and ditches
Ecological Importance
Highly important habitat and food for waterfowl and aquatic organisms,
waterfowl eat tubers, foliage, and seeds. The genus and family are the
most important taxa to submersed aquatic communities in North America, d possibly worldwide.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 14
Pond Weeds in Genesee County—Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) is a completely submersed plant
commonly seen in New York State lakes with moderate to high nutrient
levels. It is also known by the common name Hornwort. The common
names refer to its full, bottle-brush-like growth form and its forked, antlershaped leaves. The Latin name Ceratophyllum pertains to the horned leaf
edges - Cerato derives from the Greek word "keras" (horn, as in rhinoceros). Phyllum means leaf.
The serrated, forked leaves of
coontail are arranged on the
stems in whorls, with usually
5-12 leaves in each whorl. It is
generally a dark, olive green
color, and is often rather hard
and crusty to the feel. This is
especially true where it grows
in hard water lakes (the calcium in the water becomes deposited on the leaf surface, making it
seem crunchy).
The tiny flowers of coontail are located at the leaf bases. Each
flower is either male or female, though both are borne on the same plants. The flowers are on very short stalks,
so they never grow to the water's surface. This means pollination must occur under water. Coontail accomplishes this by releasing the stamens from the male flowers. These stamens rise to the surface where they split
open and release their pollen. In still water, the pollen grains sink slowly, pollinating any female flowers they
come in contact with. The release of pollen in the water is unusual, even for aquatic plants. Because pollen
usually needs to be dry until it reaches the female flower, most aquatic plants have flowers which rise above
the surface to be pollinated by insects or wind. However, the pollen of coontail has adapted to being wet,
so the plant can complete its entire life cycle under
water. After pollination, a small, hard, oval seed with
three spines is produced. Coontail spreads to new areas either through germination of these seeds, or by re
growth of stem fragments.
Coontail does not produce roots, instead it absorbs
all the nutrients it requires from the surrounding water. If it is growing near the lake bottom, it will form
modified leaves which it uses to anchor to the sediment. However, it can float free in the water column,
and sometimes forms dense mats just below the surface. Because it gets nutrients from the water, it grows
best where these nutrient levels are high. In the wild
it provides habitat for young fish and other aquatic
animals. Waterfowl will eat the seeds and foliage,
though it is not a favorite food plant.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 15
Pond Weeds in Genesee County - Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
Description and Variation
Fanwort is a submersed, floating (often rooted), perennial, with
short, fragile rhizomes. Shoots are grass green to olive green or
sometimes reddish brown. Leaves are of two types: submersed
and floating. Submersed leaves are finely divided and arranged
in pairs on the stem. Floating leaves are linear and inconspicuous, with an alternate arrangement. Floating leaves are long (less
than 1/2 inch) and narrow (less than 1/4 inch), and the leaf blade
attaches to the center, where there is a slight constriction. Flowers are white and small (less than 1/2 inch in diameter), and they
float on the water surface..
Economic Importance
Fanwort is an extremely persistent and competitive plant. Under
suitable environmental conditions, it can form dense stands, crowding out previously well-established plants.
Once established, this plant can clog drainage canals and freshwater streams, interfering with recreational, agricultural, and aesthetic uses. In its native habitat, fanwort is eaten by waterfowl and some fish. In addition, it
provides cover for some small fish and plankton.
Habitat
The species grows rooted in the mud of stagnant to slow flowing water, including streams, smaller rivers,
lakes, ponds, sloughs, and ditches.
Growth, Development, and Reproduction
Fanwort is an herbaceous perennial that spreads primarily by stem fragments or rhizomes. Erect shoots are
upturned extensions of horizontal rhizomes. The species forms large clones as new rhizomes and floating
shoots arise as axillary branches. Rhizomes are fragile and easily broken, facilitating vegetative spread and
transport to new water bodies.
Fish and Pond Program
Fish and Pond Program
Page 16
Page 16
Pond Weeds in Genesee County—Bladderwort (Utricularia inflata)
Swollen bladderwort is a member of a fascinating group of freely-floating, rootless, carnivorous aquatic plants. It is native in the
southeastern United States, but is increasingly
being seen in Western NY where it is considered to be a nuisance. Where present, it has
been known to form dense beds of floating
plants.
Above: Close up of Bladder
Growth Habit
In Washington swollen bladderwort flowers from June to July. When flowering, the
plant forms a wheel-like floating platform that supports a yellow snapdragon-like
flower. These flowers stick up about six inches above the water surface. Swollen
bladderwort reproduces from small fragments and from seed. A Florida botanist reports that when plants become stranded on mud, they can produce long threadlike branches with each "thread" bearing a tiny tuber at
its tip. When not in flower, swollen bladderwort floats below the water's surface. Bladderwort obtains its nutrients from the water and from tiny creatures that it captures in its seed-like bladders. These bladders are actually traps that use a vacuum to capture small invertebrates that trigger a trap door. Once inside the bladder,
enzymes are secreted to digest the prey, providing the plant with nutrients.
Management
Because of the interesting "spoke-like" flower platform and the yellow flowers, bladderwort may have been
introduced as a water garden plant or aquarium plant. It may also be popular with people who cultivate carnivorous plants. Swollen bladderwort has been observed in isolated ponds where it is unlikely that boats visit.
This plant might be spreading by waterfowl. Grass carp will consume swollen bladderwort, although it does
not appear to be a preferred species. One management technique is to hand pull the plants.
Identification
These plants can be readily distinguished from other aquatic plants by the small, round, seed-like structures
(bladders) that are interspersed throughout the green foliage. However, when not flowering, identifying native
bladder plants from swollen bladderwort is very difficult. Look for: Lacy underwater foliage with seed-like
bladders ·Yellow snapdragon-like flowers · A spoke-like structure supporting the flower stalk
Fish and Pond Program
Page 17
Pond Weeds in Genesee County—Eurasian Water-Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Eurasian water milfoil is an exotic aquatic plant that was introduced to
North America between the late 1800's and the early 1940's. It grows rapidly and tends to form a dense canopy on the water surface, which often
interferes with recreation, inhibits water flow, and impedes navigation.
Therefore, there is much interest in developing safe, cost-effective control measures for this nuisance species. Currently, herbicides or mechanical harvesting are most often used to control water milfoil infestations.
These methods can provide relief from the nuisances caused by milfoil.
Biological control (or biocontrol) is one possible tool that deserves further consideration. Biocontrol offers several potential advantages over
conventional methods, including reduced cost, long-term effectiveness,
and little or no negative impacts
on other aspects of aquatic systems. Several aquatic insects have
been associated with declines of
Eurasian water milfoil, providing
the impetus for research into biocontrol of Eurasian water milfoil. Current efforts are focused on the
native milfoil weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei, which has been associated with natural declines of Eurasian water milfoil and has shown potential in controlled experiments in the field.
The milfoil weevil is native to North America and is a specialist herbivore of water milfoils. Once exposed to the exotic Eurasian water milfoil, the weevil prefers Eursasian over its native host northern water milfoil. Adult weevils live submersed
and lay eggs on milfoil meristems. The larvae eat the meristem and bore down through the stem, consuming
the cortex, and then pupate (metamorphose) lower on the stem . Development from egg to adult occurs in 1830 days at summer temperatures . The consumption of meristem and stem mining by larvae are the two main
effects of weevils on the plant and this damage can suppress plant growth, reduce root biomass and carbohydrate stores and cause the plant to sink from the water column. Although the weevil has been quite effective at
some sites, it has not been effective at other sites.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 18
Pond Weeds in Genesee County—Pondweed (Potamogeton)
There are many variations of pondweed, including leaves that
are both floating and submersed. Submersed leaves are long
and narrow. Floating leaves are oblong and slightly heartshaped at the base. The stems are occasionally branched and
the leaves are alternately arranged on the stem. A solid, tightly
packed spike of nutlets at the tip of the weed rise above the surface of the water.
The seeds from pondweeds are among the most important waterfowl foods. Pondweeds have limp underwater stems which
are from a few inches to a few feet long. Near the top of the
stems of some kinds are oval or oblong floating leaves. Usually, these stems have underwater leaves, too. In the summer,
pondweeds produce small greenish flowers which stick out of
the water an inch or two.
Mature pondweeds:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Have both floating and submerged leaves.
Submersed leaves are alternate; upper leaves may be opposite.
Stems are simple or slightly branched.
Flowers are in elongate heads or spikes held above the surface of the water.
Reproduces by seeds, tubers, or winter buds on the tips of rhizomes, usually beneath the surface of the
soil.
ECOLOGICAL NOTES: Floating-leaved pondweed is found in marshes, lakes, rivers, ditches, and bogs;
typically in water depths to 5 feet, but it can be found at more than twice that depth. Good fish habitat is provided by this aquatic plant.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 19
Pond Weeds in Genesee County—Curly Leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crspus L)
Curly Leaf Pondweed is a perennial, rooted, submersed
aquatic vascular plant. It was first found in the United States in
l950, and is currently found in most parts of the world.
This plant has a unique life cycle which gives it competitive
advantages over many native aquatic plants. Unlike most native plants, curly leaf pondweed may be in an active state even
under thick ice and snow cover, thus will form new plants over
the winter. (Wehrneister and Stuckey, l978).
Therefore, it is often the first plant to appear after ice is gone.
By late spring it can form dense mats which may interfere with
recreation and limit the growth of native aquatic plants. Curly
leaf plants usually die back in early summer in response to increasing water temperatures, but first form vegetative
propagules called turions (hardened stem tips). New plants
sprout from turions in the fall. (Catling and Dobson, l985).
Curly-leaf pondweed is an exotic plant that forms surface mats that interfere with aquatic recreation. The plant
usually drops to the lake bottom by early
July. Curly-leaf pondweed was the most
severe nuisance aquatic plant in the Midwest until Eurasian watermilfoil appeared. It was accidentally introduced
along with the common carp. It has been
here so long most people are not aware it
is an exotic.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 20
Pond Weeds in Genesee County-Common Waterweed (Elodea Canadensis)
Name: Elodea, Common Waterweed (Elodea canadensis)
Picture of Flowers, Fruit- cylindrical shaped fruit capsules
Distribution: Inland, from freshwater streams and ponds to moderately
brackish tidal tributaries.
Description: Rooted; stems many-branched. Dark green leaves usually
greater than three times as long as wide (3/4" long and 1/4" wide ),
mostly drooping downward with finely toothed margins. Simple leaves
usually in whorls of three.
Reproduction: Usually vegetative reproduction
Comments: Native species displays extreme phenotypic plasticity
(often has dramatically different physical appearance from one location
to the next). Elodea nuttali is also believed to be present in MD, and is
very difficult to distinguish from E. canadensis.
Flowers: White flowers may appear from July to September, but this
species typically does not flower everywhere.
Similar Species: Hydrilla verticillata - prominent teeth and leaves usually found in whorls of five or four,
Elodea densa- leaves usually found in whorls of four.
Hydrilla - Description: Stem long and branched with oppositely arranged leaves at the bottom and whorls of 3
leaves on the upper portions of the plant. Leaf oval shaped with
margins toothed. Pointed spines on midrib underside of leaf.
Plant fragments are capable of reproduction
American Elodea - Common Name: American Elodea
Description: Submerged weed with broad oval leaves, usually
four in number, arranged in whorls around stem. Whorls are
compact near the growth tip, with spacing between the whorls
gradually increasing further down the stem.
Brazilian Elodea - Common Name: Brazilian Elodea
Description: Plants very similar to Hydrilla but leaves are not
toothed. A visual inspection and handling of the leaves will
quickly distinguish it from Hydrilla.
Note: Drawing is used with permission from the Center for
Aquatic Plants, University of Florida. Drawing cannot be copied
without permission from the Center. Descriptions are from the
book "How to Identify and Control Water Weeds and Algae", Edited by James C. Schmidt, 5th edition revised 1998, copyright
1976 Applied Biochemists.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 21
Pond Weeds in Genesee County—Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticllata)
Hydrilla is considered the most problematic aquatic plant in the United States. This plant
is native to Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia but was introduced to Florida in 1960 via
the aquarium trade. Hydrilla is now well-established in some states where control and
management costs millions of dollars each year.
Growth Habit
Hydrilla forms dense mats of vegetation that interfere with recreation and destroy fish and
wildlife habitat. Unlike other problem aquatic plants, like Brazilian elodea, that reproduce
only by fragmentation, hydrilla spreads by seeds, tubers, plant fragments, and turions
(over wintering buds). One square meter of hydrilla can produce 5,000 tubers. Once hydrilla becomes established, it is readily spread by waterfowl and boating activities.
Hydrilla has several advantages over other plants. It will grow with less light and is more
efficient at taking up nutrients than other plants. It also has extremely effective methods
of propagation. Besides making seeds (seedlings are actually rarely seen in nature), it can
sprout new plants from root fragments or stem fragments containing as few as two whorls
of leaves. Recreational users can easily spread these small fragments from water body to water body.
However, hydrilla's real secret to success is its ability to produce structures called turions and tubers. (Presence of these
structures is also a characteristic which distinguishes this plant from similar looking plants.) Turions are compact "buds"
produced along the leafy stems. They break free of the parent plant and drift or settle to the bottom to start new plants.
They are 1/4 inch long, dark green, and appear spiny. Tubers are underground and form at the end of roots. They are
small, potato-like, and are usually white or yellowish. Hydrilla produces an abundance of tubers and turions in the fall.
Tubers may remain dormant for several years in the sediment. Tubers and turions can withstand ice cover, drying, herbicides, and ingestion and regurgitation by waterfowl.
Hydrilla is an invisible menace, invisible that is until it fills the lake or river that it infests. When hydrilla invades, ecologically-important native submersed plants such as coontail are shaded out and eliminated; recreational and even commercial boating becomes difficult; swimming becomes unpleasant and even dangerous; fishing becomes impossible.
Millions of dollars are spent each year on herbicides and mechanical harvesters in an effort to place hydrilla under
"maintenance control". Managing hydrilla using biological control insects also is part of the management mix.
Hydrilla can grow an inch a day! It is on federal "prohibited plant" lists. (See hydrilla distribution maps on the U.S. Geological Survey web site.) Hydrilla can grow in almost any freshwater: springs, lakes, marshes, ditches, rivers, tidal
zones. It can grow in only a few inches of water, or in water 20 feet deep. Hydrilla is a long, sinewy, underwater plant.
Its branching stems can grow to 25 feet long. Hydrilla's small leaves are strap-like and pointed. The
leaves grow in whorls of 4 to 8 around the stem. The leaf margins are distinctly saw-toothed. Hydrilla
often has one or more sharp teeth along the
length of the leaf mid-rib. Hydrilla produces tiny white flowers on long stalks. It
also produces 1/4-inch long turions at the
leaf axils and potato-like tubers attached to the roots in the mud. New
plants grow from the turions and tubers.
Once hydrilla infests a waterway, it is all
but impossible to eliminate. A square meter
of the plant produces thousands of small,
long-lived tubers that regenerate, as do
small fragments of stem. Grass carp are
known to be effective in controlling hydrilla.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 22
Pond Weeds in Genesee County -Pond Lily (Nymphaea odorata)
Characteristics of Pond Lilies:

Leaves are round, plate-like, floating,
with a thick waxy covering, green
above and purplish beneath, 8”-14”
wide.
 Flowers are white with many whorled
petals tapering toward the edges and
growing smaller near the center of
flower, very fragrant, 3”-5” across.
Natural History:
 The lily flowers from June to
September.
 It thrives in quiet waters.
 Water lilies can grow in water as
shallow as six inches and as deep as
fifteen feet.
 Beneath the leaf is a hollow stem that
anchors the lily to the roots at the
bottom of the pond. The stem brings gases from the water’s surface to
the rhizomes and roots, and also conveys waste gases to the surface.
 The flowers open and close each day for several days until they are
pollinated. Once pollinations occurs, the underwater stem curls like a
spring and pulls the blossom underwater, presumably to protect it from
damage.
 The
water lily is
a great plant
for
cultivation
in containers for ornamental ponds.
 Beaver, moose, muskrat, porcupine, and
deer eat water lily leaves and roots and
waterfowl eat the seeds. The leaves provide
cover for largemouth bass, sunfish, and frogs.
 Lilies must be controlled or they can
become too dense, creating areas of low
oxygen.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 23
Pond Weeds in Genesee County—Cattails (Typha gracilis)
The earliest cattail was recorded as native to North America in l836. Cattails are
an indicator of the presence of wetlands. Here in Genesee County, cattails
dominate areas of shallow ponds or areas of untended muck soils. It can be
spotted along road ditches, especially in wet areas. These plants, known as water
purifiers, are sometimes planted in the last stages of municpal water purification.
As the cattail dies, it contributes to the organic material which fills in the pond,
making the pond more shallow, thus providing for even better cattail habitat.
Once established, cattails can survive as long as water is available during the
growing season. However, cattails are slowly being replaced by the purple
loosestrife and phragmities, neither of which have any redeeming qualities.
Cattails are restricted to the shallower water along the shores of ponds and in
regions where seasonal flooding occurs. These plants form tall, dense stands that
encompass the open water of a pond, or they can completely envelope a pond.
Soon the pond appears to be a cattail “meadow.” Years of low water levels
especially contribute to the spread of cattails. When high water levels return, the
cattails can survive under deeper water provided the shoots can remain above the
water level.
Removal of cattails with the use of a backhoe will help overcome cattails. Grass carp will eat the tender new shoots, but
will not go for the hardened, woody shoots. Sometimes elimination is successful by cutting the plants below the water’s
surface.
Wetland soil that is either temporarily chronically saturated by water becomes anoxic (no oxygen) because water holds
little oxygen. Anoxic soil can be easily identified by the sulfurous odor (mostly hrdrogen sulfide) which is produced by
the anaerobic bacteria. Because rooted emergent plants such as cattails acquire most if not all of the their nutrients from
the soil, the necessity of supplying oxygen to the roots becomes obvious. Thus, cattails have acquired mechanisms that
enable them to supply oxygen to their roots. The cattails transfer oxygen from their leaves to their roots through their
lacunae, a system of interconnected, gas-filled chambers that run the length of the leaves and stems. Oxygen gas moves
by diffusion down the pressure gradient that is established by the production of oxygen in the leaves during
photosynthesis. As photosynthesis proceeds, oxygen is continually produced, thereby increasing the gas pressure within
the lacunae to a level that permits oxygen to diffuse to the lower pressure in the root hairs, establishing a region of
oxygenated soil adjacent to the roots. This zone of oxygenated soil may benefit the cattail by improving nutrient
availablity to the plant directly (or by benefiting the microbial community that serves this function.)
Cattails have the ability to absorb pollutants from
the water. Chevron Corp., for instance, is using
cattails to soak up selenium discharged from its
Point Richmond (Calif.) oil refinery. Some of the
selenium is expelled into the air in nontoxic
quantities. Cattails contianing selenium can be
reaped and spread over soil that are deficient in
the metal.
This plant produces a high number of seeds,
which germinate readily in shallow water. Most
new growth occurs vegetativley through their
large and robust rhizome system. Cattails provide
habitat for a variety of wildlife species including
waterfowl and other water birds, muskrats,
blackbirds, fish, white-tail deer, and ring-neck
pheasants.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 24
Pond Weeds in Genesee County -Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicara)
Purple Loosestrife in North
America
Purple loosestrife is an erect, non-woody perennial that came to North America from
Eurasia in the early 1800s. Seeds of the plant came here in several ways -- in the
ballast of ships, in the wool of sheep, and as an herb. Many times soil (which contained plant seeds) dug near shipyards
in Europe was used as ballast. Once the vessel reached its destination in North America, the ballast was dumped overboard near shore, resulting in an opportunity for weed colonization. Seeds that adhered to the wool of large flocks of
sheep brought in from Europe for the woolen mills were another source of purple loosestrife. Finally, the plants were
brought over by well-intentioned immigrants for their herb gardens and by beekeepers because the flowers are an excellent source of nectar.
By the 1830s, purple loosestrife was so common along the east coast that, in the first edition of A Flora of North America, the authors mistakenly thought it was "probably native". By the late 1800's, loosestrife had spread throughout the
northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, and its exotic origin was recognized. The weed needed two factors
to expand its range -- disturbance in native wetland communities and a method of dispersal. In 1817 the construction of
the middle section of the Erie Canal began, which provided both the disturbance and a dispersal method. By 1840, the
spread of loosestrife was closely related to canal traffic moving inland from the northeast shipping areas.
The galerucella beetle will eat purple loosestrife and die out when the source of food is gone. The galerucella beetles
will control purple loosestrife by eating the leaves and tips of the plants, the meristems. This prevents the plant from
flowering out, and seeding so it can't reproduce. A mature, four to seven-foot tall loosestrife plant can produce 2.5 million seeds. The galerucella larvae as well as the adult beetles eat the plants -- and they are specific to loosestrife and not
harmful to other plants and wildlife. Characteristics that make the plant a formidable invader-- hardiness, tolerance of
many moisture and nutrient regimes, and virtual freedom from insect pests and disease -- also have made this plant an
attractive garden perennial.
Purple loosestrife is a broad-leafed perennial that can range in height up to 8 feet. The leaves are long and narrow and
are usually opposite, but may also be in whorls of three and four. Its angular stems become woody with age and persist
through the winter. The plant has a spike of six-petal purple flowers. The plants bloom from July to September and seed
set begins by mid-July. Seeds are shed throughout the winter. Each seed capsule averages 90 seeds, each approximately
the size of ground pepper. With a 1,000 capsules per stem and 30 stems per
plant, a single plant can produce over 2 million seeds! The lightweight
seeds can be transported by the wind, but they are usually dispersed by
flowing water or by adhering to the fur, feathers, or feet of animals and
birds.
Galerucella beetle
Although the spread of loosestrife is usually by seed dispersal, vegetative
reproduction also occurs in areas of disturbance. Once the crown has
reached maximum size, lower stem and root pieces can produce adventitious roots and begin to move about. Mature plants can tolerate a broad
range of water levels, soil types, and
Fish and Pond Program
Page 25
Pond Weeds in Genesee County—Water Chestnut (Trapa natans)
The water chestnut is a fast growing, floating aquatic
plant that can grow up to 16 feet long. Submerged leaves
are leather-like, and emergent leaves are triangular and toothed. The plant is usually rooted in the mud and bears a rosette of floating leaves at the tip of the submersed stem. Stems are elongated and flexuous and typically about a meter
long, but may reach up to five meters long. The toothed leaf blades are 2 –4 cm. Long with four sides. It grows in quiet
streams, ponds, and freshwater regions and requires full sunlight. Plants can survive on mudflats, but normally grow in
water several centimeters to two meters deep. Waters with high fertility and neutral to alkaline pH are preferred. The
inconspicuous flowers with their four white petals, each one about 8 mm. long, are born singly on erect stalks located in
the central area of the leafy rosette.
The fruit is a four-horned, barbed, nut-like structure, about 3 cm. wide, that develops under water. Because the fruit has
been used as a source of food and for medicinal purposes, the plants have distributed throughout Europe. The fruits are
dispersed when individual plants are uprooted and float downstream. Fruits fall to the bottom of the water body in the
autumn and the seed over-winter just as in terrestrial biennial species. Seeds germinate in the spring, with the young
root (radical) perforating the top of the fruit. As soon as the initial shoot develops floating leaves, additional leafy offshoots are produced at a rapid rate.
It was first introduced into North America about l874. Since that time, the plants
have become an aquatic nuisance species because of their ability to reproduce rapidly and form extensive floating mats. These mats impede navigation, reduce
aquatic plant growth of other species beneath the shade of the floating canopy. The
spiny fruits can be arduous to bathers. Suitable bio-control insects have not been
found. Repetitive mechanical harvesting will not serve to control nor eliminate major growths of infestations.
Interesting facts: The name Trapa is derived from the Latin calcitrapa, in reference to a caltrop, the name for a four-spined iron ball that was used in ancient warfare to hinder the advancing enemy Calvary. The descriptive epithet natans means
floating
This plant is not to be confused with the Chinese water chestnut, which is a
rush-like plant with upright, long slender stems up to one and half meters
tall. This plant arises from mahogany brown corms (short, underground
bulb-like stems), similar to gladiola corms. The white flesh of the corms is
crisp, sweet, and has a nutty taste. Chinese water chestnuts are popular in
Chinese cooking. Seeds of the European water chestnut (Trapa natans) are
likely have the same edible quality as the Asian species. It is listed as one of
the ingredients in a cancer preventative formula.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 26
Pond Weeds in Genesee County— Spike rush (Eleocharis spp.)
Description - Stems of the is small plant arise in clumps from relatively shallow
roots. The stems terminate in an oval fruiting spike. Spike rush reproduces from
rootstocks and seeds. It grows very near the pond margins and provides support to
the pond margin to prevent erosion. Stems are fed on by wildlife. Spikes are consumed by many birds. Underwater structure provides habitat for fish..
Nutrient Management - Overabundant plant growth is usually caused by excessive nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous). These nutrients may come from runoff
from barnyards, crop fields, septic systems, lawns, or golf courses. Long-term control of overabundant plants is best accomplished by reducing or redirecting nutrient
sources to the pond. This may be done by reducing fertilizer use near the pond,
maintaining septic systems, directing nutrient-laden runoff away from the pond, or
maintaining buffer strips around the pond. If you fail to address the underlying nutrient cause of plant growth, you must rely on continual
removal of the plants using mechanical, biological or
chemical control techniques.
Mechanical Control - All emergent plants are conducive
to mechanical removal because they grow close to the
pond edge and are easily accessible. Cutting, pulling and
backhoe removal are all effective. Grass carp are not effective for control or removal of emergent plants like spike
rush.
Bulrush ((Scirpus spp.)
There are several
native aquatic bulrushes in New York,
often found growing
in large colonies in
water. Bulrush seeds
are eaten by many
kinds of birds. Bulrushes are often seen
as tall, leafless stems
growing in profusion,
however there are
several small and
leafy bulrushes in
New York. Bulrushes are eaten by ducks and other wildlife.
Bulrushes are bulrush sedges; stems sharply- to softly-triangular;
leaves in some species reduced to sheaths, in other species there are many obvious leaf blades; inflorescences always on stem tips, compound, much branched, tightly clustered or spreading open; bracts sometimes leaf-like or sometimes resembling stems.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 27
General Fish and Water Terminology
Adipose Fin - This fin most often occurs on characins. It is located forward of the tail, (caudal
fin) and behind the dorsal fin.
Brook trout has an adipose fin
Amphipods - Amphipods (meaning "double life") are tiny shrimp-like crustaceans that live in the water. They are marine invertebrates under an inch long that have an exoskeleton and jointed legs. They
are eaten in huge numbers by filter feeders such as the whales. Smaller fish the emerald shiner also
eat them.
Amphipods
Anadromous - Fish that spend most of their lives in saltwater but migrate into freshwater to spawn.
River herring are typical anadromous fish
Anterior - Means located on or near the head or front of an animals body.
Anal Fin - A fin found behind the vent of most fish.
Barbel - Fleshy appendages often found on the mouths of certain fishes such as carp, catfish, and loaches. These
fleshy "feelers" are used to find food.
Brackish Water - This is a zone where salt and fresh water meet. It is composed or varying amounts of salt and
fresh water mixed together.
Carnivorous - Flesh eating.
Caudal Fin - This is the tail fin of a fish.
Caudal Peduncle - This is the area of the fish where its tails meets its body
Crustacean - Hard shelled marine animal (eg. Crabs and Lobster, or crawfish)
Dorsal Fin - This is the fin that is located along the fishes back.
Exoskeleton - An exoskeleton is a tough, structural body armor made of chitin. Crustaceans
have exoskeletons.
Crawfish
Fecundity -The number of eggs produced per female per unit time (often: per spawning season)
Fingerling - An immature fish, fingerlings are usually larger than Fry
Fry - Smaller than a Fingerling.
Gill - Breathing organ in fish.—See diagram on next page
Gut - The intestines of a fish.
Hermaphrodite - Having the organs of both sexes.
Invertebrates - Animals without backbones. This can include corals, snails, and shrimp or crabs, water insects
Labyrinth Organ - This is an organ that enables fish to obtain oxygen from the air.
Larvae—An insect in its earliest stage of development after it has hatched and before it is changed into a pupa.
Lateral Line - A row of sensory receptors along the flanks of some fish.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 28
Fish and Water Terminology, con’t
Milt - This is male
fish sperm.
Mollusc - Softbodied, hard shelled
animal. Also known
as shellfish. (eg.
Oyster, abalone and
Mussel, freshwater
clams, zebra mussel)
Native Fish - Those
species which occur
naturally in an area.
Nekton– Organisms with swimming abilities that permit them to move actively through the water and to move
against currents. (fish, crabs)
Omnivorous - Eating all foods, both plant and flesh.
Operculum - This is the hard gill cover or the gill plates.
Otholiths - A pair of bones in the inner ear of fish which exhibit growth rings. Also called the "jewel"
Pectoral Fins - Pectoral fins are the paired fins located behind the head and on the lower side of the fish.
Pelagic - Any free-swimming oceanic species of fish such as tuna, marlin etc.
Pelvic Fins -These are the fins that are located just forward of the anal fin.
Plankton - Myriad forms of tiny marine life. Phytoplankton can undergo rapid population growth or "algal blooms"
when water temperatures rises in the presence of excess nutrients, which typically occurs each spring.
Photic Zone– Layer of a body of water that receives ample sunlight for photosynthesis .
Rays - Fin rays are the bony support structures of the fins on a fish.
Roe - Fish eggs.
Scale - The small bony plates that cover most fish. They serve as a protective skin against the environment.
School - A term used to identify a group of fish moving together.
Spawning - A term that refers to the act of fish reproduction
Substrate - The land below any water body. Sand, Gravel, and Mud are all types of substrates
Swim Bladder - usually an air or fat filled organ that is used by fish to maintain neutral water buoyancy. Also called
Air Bladder.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 29
Cold Water Ponds
Pond Size
· Generally, one-quarter acre minimum, one-half acre or larger would be better.
· Side slopes of pond should be not steeper than 2:1 (horizontal to vertical).
Pond Habitat
· Under water structure should be variable for good fish habitat, leave boulders, rock piles, and construct
ridges, bumps and small depresssions in pond.
Water Supply and Depth
· Springfed ponds can be constructed with 8 to 10 feet of water for trout, but the deeper the better, since trout
are shy and secretive. They need room and depth to more around. Twelve feet deep would be much better for
a minimum depth.
Recommended Stocking Rates and Species
Here is a variation of the recommended for stocking rate for a new fish pond?
Factors including size, pond depth, location, temperatures, weeds present or not present, structure and clarity
all determine what kind and how many fish to stock. Below is an example of the maximum stocking rates for
ponds that are 1 acre, 1/2 acre or 1/3 acre.
You will need proper aeration. We recommend approximately a 3 to 1 ratio in of non-predator/predator fish.
Size of fish shown below can be changed, if desired.
1 acre pond, over 14' deep: 500 3-4" bluegills, 200 4-6" trout, 100 4-6" channel catfish, 100 4-5" perch, 100 35" bass, and 3 gallons of minnows.
1/2 acre pond, 10 - 12' deep: 300 3-4" bluegills, 75 4-6" channel catfish, 75 4-5" perch, 50 3-5" bass, 2 gallons of minnows.
1/3 acre pond, 8-10' deep: 250 3-4" bluegills, no trout recommended, 50 4-6" channel catfish, 50 4-5" perch,
25 3-5" bass, 2 gallons of minnows
· Trout do not reproduce in a pond, therefore normally do not live beyond 3 to 5
years. Any stocking of trout would have
to be continued about every 2 to 3 years
to maintain a catchable population. Some
trout have shown faster growth rates with
a minnow population in the pond.
Left: Diagram of pond depth lines.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 30
Fish Facts -Forage Fish
Forage Fish
(The following fish are offered for sale by this district.)
Golden shiner, Shiner, Roach
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Notemigonus crysoleucas
IDENTIFICATION: Golden shiners are a deep bodied minnow species with a distinctive golden olive-silver color. Their
fins may appear from golden brown to orange-reddish in
hue. Older fish have a more golden color while younger fish appear more silvery. This species has a distinctive scaleless strip on the underside of the fish between the pelvic fin and the anus. Also, the lateral line dips low on the sides of
the fish, and there are no barbels on the mouth.
RANGE AND HABITAT: Golden shiners are common in medium to large bodies of slow moving or standing water.
This species requires good water quality and aquatic vegetation to thrive. Golden shiners prefer quiet, clear water over
sand, gravel or organic debris covered bottoms.
LIFE HISTORY: Golden shiners spawn over a variety of materials, including sand, gravel, vegetation, and other objects; it all depends on what is available.
ADULT SIZE: Golden shiners are usually 2.5 to 7 inches in length. but they can reach up to 9 inches.
FISHING METHODS: Golden shiners are not targeted by anglers. However, they are an excellent bait for a wide variety of species. Often golden shiners are the preferred bait type because they are easy to keep alive. Anglers usually
collect this species with dip nets or seines.
Crayfish—All Ponds
Crustacean
Crayfish, common in streams and lakes, often conceal
themselves under rocks or logs. They are most active at
night, when they feed largely on snails, algae, insect
larvae, worms, and tadpoles; some eat vegetation
(various water plants). A dead fish ,worms, corn, and salmon eggs are also favorites of the crayfish. General
movement is always a slow walk, but if startled, crayfish use rapid flips of their tail to swim backwards and
escape danger. They prefer rocky bottoms or other places to hide.
Most crayfish live short lives, usually less than two years. Therefore, rapid, high-volume reproduction is important for the continuation of the species. Many crayfish become sexually mature and mate in the October or
November after they're born, but fertilization and egg laying usually occur the following spring. The fertilized
eggs are attached to the female' swimmerets on the underside of her jointed abdomen. There the 10 to 800
eggs change from dark to translucent as they develop. The egg-carrying female is said to be ‘in berry,’ because the egg mass looks something like a berry. Females are often seen "in berry" during May or June. The
eggs hatch in 2 to 20 weeks, depending on water temperature. The newly-hatched crayfish stay attached to
their mother until shortly after their second molt.
They are desirable as bait and food for other fish.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 31
Fish Sold in Genesee County -Warm and Cold Water Fish (Perca flavescens)
Common name: Yellow perch
Scientific name: Perca flavescens (Perca means "dusky"; flavescens means "becoming gold colored")
Distribution: The yellow perch occurs in all three drainage basins in Batavia. Because the yellow perch is a glacial
lakes species, it is widely distributed except in the unglaciated region of southwestern Wisconsin.
Spawning: Spawning normally occurs shortly after ice-out in April or early May at water temperatures of 45-52ºF. Yellow perch spawning closely follows that of walleyes and often coincides with that of suckers. Yellow perch are random
spawners, and do not construct nests, nor do they guard their eggs and their young.
Angling: Yellow perch are primarily bottom feeders with a slow deliberate bite. They eat almost anything, but prefer
minnows, insect larvae, plankton, and worms. Tackle may
range from a simple handline or a fly rod in summer to a
short, whippy, jigging rod in winter. Because perch prefer
cooler water, the best fishing is usually in deep water. Perch
move about in schools, often numbering in the hundreds. If
one spot is unproductive after a few tries, it is best to move
to other spots until a school is located.
Average Size: The average adult size grows to fifteen
inches and a weight of four pounds
Seeking Average Pond Water Depth
Average depth of ponds:
Most existing farm ponds are relatively shallow, reaching eight to ten feet in their deepest sections. On average, a pond which is eight feet at its deepest point will have an average depth of four feet in depth. Exceptions to these estimated
Depths occur when ponds are constructed in hollows with extremely steep banks (greater average depth) or
when the pond banks have an extremely shallow slope so there is a great deal of shallow surface area. A
pond that is six feet deep at its
deepest point will average
Figure 5. A sampling scheme to
determine average depth of a
about four feet in depth. If the
pond is over ten years old or if
the pond owner has no knowlFish and Pond Program
Page 32
Fish Sold in Genesee County—Fathead Minnows
Fathead Minnows
COMMON NAMES: Fathead minnow, Blackhead minnow
IDENTIFICATION: Fathead minnows have short bodies with a triangular shaped head. The upper jaw overhangs the
snout and the lateral line is incomplete. Coloration ranges from olive to olive-yellow on back tinged with copper or purple in larger fish.
RANGE AND HABITAT: Historically the fathead minnow was widely populated only in the western part of Ohio.
They prefer muddy brooks and creeks, as well as ponds and small lakes. However, fatheads can tolerate a wide range of
water conditions.
LIFE HISTORY: Fathead minnows spawn in the spring and may continue into August. Males select the spawning site,
usually under logs, branches or rocks in shallow water. Females lay adhesive eggs which the males guard. Fatheads eat
mainly organic debris, aquatic insects, and zooplankton.
ADULT SIZE: Fathead minnows range from 1.6 to 3 inches in length.
FISHING METHODS: Fathead are not targeted by anglers.
BACKGROUND: For any pond or lake
manager the Fathead Minnows should be
the most important fish in their management
program. The Fathead Minnow is a plankton feeder, but it will also feed very actively
on mosquito larva and on commercial feed.
Unlike many types of minnows, the Fathead
will never turn into a predator. They have a
life span of 14 months and will reproduce a
minimum of 3 to 4 times before the end of
their life cycle. They are very high in protein, insuring a high conversion rate, and they are slow top-water swimmers, so all your sport fish will benefit. These
characteristics make this fish perfect for any pond or lake.
The Fathead Minnow will enhance your pond life in many ways. It will help keep your pond in balance by giving all of
your smaller reproduction something to feed on, in turn increasing their survival and growth rates. All of the larger fish
will also experience a faster growth rate by feeding on the Fatheads.
The better your Fathead Minnow base, the faster everything in your pond will grow. It's almost impossible to overstock
on Fatheads, so the more you have, the more your sport fish will benefit. When trying to manage any pond or lake the
Fathead Minnow will be a tremendous asset to you and your fish. Help keep your pond in balance, put the Fathead Minnow to work for you today.
MEASURING: Industry standard is that 300 minnows equals roughly one pound.
STOCKING: Fathead minnows should be stocked at the rate of 300 adults per surface acre of water. The first stocking
can be made anytime during spring, summer, or autumn. Adult minnows stocked in April, however, will produce baitsize young by the end of the growing season. The quantity and size of the minnows produced will vary considerably in
different ponds even though similar management practices are followed.
Fish and Pond Program Page 33
climate,
a plant that does
indeed "grow just about(Sitizostedion
anywhere".
Fishmaking
Sold this
in Genesee
County—Walleye
vitreum vitreum)
The walleye is a most sought-after fish. Its thick, white fillets, handsome shape and coloring, and elusive
nature make it the ultimate prize among anglers. The average walleye caught and kept is about 14 inches long
and weighs slightly more than 1 pound. The walleye is named for its pearlescent eye, which is caused by a reflective layer of pigment, called the tapetum lucidum, that helps it see and feed at night or in murky water.
A close cousin of the walleye is the sauger. Sauger have a more limited distribution than walleyes, and they
don't grow as large. The two species look similar, but you can tell
them apart by looking at the tip of
the lower part of the tail. That part
of the tail is white on a walleye, but
not on a sauger.
To ensure that lakes produce
enough walleyes to keep up with
growing angler demand, the DEC
protects habitat, limits the catch
through regulations, and stocks fish
where natural reproduction is limited and other desirable fish species
will not be harmed.
· Walleye is one of the largest members of the perch family.
· One of the most important game fish of North America due to large size, sporting qualities, and savory
flesh.
· Requires cool water with summer temperatures, preferably less than 85 Degrees Fahrenheit.
· Needs clear water, plenty of area greater than 10 feet, lots of minnows and other forage fish for food, and
gravel bottom areas for spawning.
· Some other common names are walleyed pike, jack, pike, pickeral, and jack fish.
· Female walleye usually contain 25,000 to 50,000 eggs per
pound of body weight.
· Under the best conditions, 5 to 20 per cent of the eggs will
hatch in 12 to 18 days, depending upon water temperature.
· Food preferences: When walleye are young, they eat all
forms and sizes of zoo plankton, insects and larvae, and after
2 to 3 inches in size, they eat mostly fish of all kinds.
· Walleye primarily feed at night or before sunrise.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 34
edge
the depth
of the pond,
multiple measurements
of of
depth
taken overfontinalis)
the surface of the pond
Fish ofSold
in Genesee
County—The
Life Cycle
theshould
Troutbe(Salvelinus
and the values average for an estimation of the average depth. Measurements of depth can be made by sim-
Life Cycle of the Sea Trout
ply dropping a weight tied to a rope tagged in increments of one foot into the water and noting the feet of
Liferequired
Cycle of
Trout
rope
forthe
theSea
weight
to hit the pond bottom. Please note that many of these measurements should be
taken
across
thetheentire
pond
surface
angravel
accurate
of runs
pond
The life
cycle of
Sea Trout
starts
as an to
egggive
laid in
(knownestimation
as redds) and
asdepth.
follows:-
 EGG - Laid in gravel, the female Sea Trout uses her tail to dig out a depression in the gravel, before depositing her eggs to be
fertilized by the cock fish. She then uses her tail to cover the eggs with the removed gravel. The gravel beds used in this way
are known as Redds
 ALEVIN - When the egg hatches the fish emerges with a yolk sac attached. This yolk sac provides the initial food source for
the newly hatched fish. When the yolk sac is used up the small fish is then known as a Fry. During the alevin stage the fish
stays very much within the redd for protection.
 FRY - The small fry begins to move away from the redd and find their own territory feeding on whatever is available, minute
invertebrates etc. As the fry grows it begins to develop the markings known as Parr Markings and from this time it is known as
a Parr.
 PARR - The fish at this stage is up to 15cm in length (although this depends on many conditions). The larger size means they
can eat larger food this can lead to faster growth. When the time and conditions dictate, the Parr develops a bright silver coating over its scales. It is at this point that the fish becomes known as a smolt and is the indicator that it is about to head downstream to the sea.
 SMOLT - The fish is now bright silver in appearance and it undergoes other physiological changes which allow survival in salt
water. On entry to the sea the Smolt is now a young Sea Trout.
 YOUNG SEA TROUT - Peel, Herling, Finnock, Whitling are just 4 regional names used for young sea trout that return in
large shoals to the rivers to spawn. Those fish that return after one year or more can truly be known as Sea Trout and are generally at least 10 times the weight of a trout hatched at the same time that remained in the river.
 SEA TROUT - The adult fish returning to freshwater and one of the great prizes. Those fish that have recently returned are
known as "Fresh Run". When in freshwater the Sea Trout undergoes many changes. The bright silver colour begins to become
dull and the fish start to "color" ready for spawning. In addition the males jaw grows larger and they develop a prominant hook
on the lower jaw, known as a kype.
 KELT - After spawning the surviving fish are known as kelts. These head back to the sea quickly and the whole cycle begins
again
Yolked eggs
Alevins
“Parr” Fingerlings
Kelts—old fish that turn black and are ready to
die.
Right: Trout are able to see fishermen in
an unexpected range; it helps to remember this when fishing for them.
Fish
Pond
andProgram
Pond
Angle of vision of trout Fish and
Page
Page33
35
Fish Sold in Genesee County -Trout for Cold Water Ponds—Brook (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) or Speckled Trout, Aurora
Trout, Brookie, Square-Tail, Speckled Char, Sea Trout, Common Brook Trout, Mud Trout, Breac
DESCRIPTION - The average length is 10-12 inches but
Brook Trout can be caught measuring up to 21 inches and
weighing 4-6 pounds. The largest Brook trout on record was
14.5 pounds and caught in 1916 in the Nipigon River in Ontario.
Breeding males develop a hook at the front of the lower jaw.
Typical coloring is olive-green to dark brown on the back with
silvery sides and pale spotting. All colors intensify at spawning
time.
DISTRIBUTION - The brook trout is native to northern North
America and is widely distributed throughout the maritime provinces. It occurs in clear, cool, well-oxygenated streams and lakes.
BIOLOGY - This species spawns in late summer or autumn in gravel beds in the shallows of headwaters of streams.
The female digs the redd where she lays 100-5000 eggs depending on her size. They hatch 50-100 days later. The life
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) or Speckled Trout, Aurora Trout, Brookie, Square-Tail, Speckled Char, Sea Trout,
or Common Brook Trout
Trout for Cold Water Ponds –Brown Trout (Salmon trutta)
DESCRIPTION: The average length is 10—12 inches, but Brook
Trout can be caught measuring up to 21 inches and weighing 4-6
pounds. The largest Brook trout on record was 14.5 pounds and caught
in l916 in the Nipigon River in Ontario. Breeding males develop hook
at the front of the lower jaw. Typical coloring is olive green to dark
brown on the back with silvery sides and pale spotting. All colors intensify at spawning time.
DISTRIBUTION: The brook trout is native to northern North America
and is widely distributed throughout the maritime provinces. It occurs
in clear, cool, well-oxygenated streams and lakes.
BIOLOGY: This species spawns in late summer or autumn in gravel beds in the shallows of headwaters of streams.
The female digs the redd where she lays 100 to 5000 eggs, depending on her size. The eggs hatch 50 to 100 days later.
The life expectancy is an average of five years. The brook trout is carnivorous and feed upon a wide range of organisms. They have been known to eat their own eggs at spawning time and even their own young.
RELATION TO MAN: This is one of the most popular game fish and is fished by artificial fly, spin casting, or live
bait.
Brown Trout or German Brown Trout, German Trout, English Brown Trout, Von Behr Trout, Lochleven Trout, European
Brown Trout, Truite, Breac, Gealag, andBrownie
DESCRIPTION: The average length of brown trout is 16 inches and generally they weight only a few pounds. In
streams the coloring is a light brown with silvery sides and pronounced black spots on the back, whereas in large lakes
or in the sea the overall coloration is silvery.
DISTRIBUTION: The brown trout is native to Europe and western Asia and was introduced into North American in
l883. It can be found in most waters in Canada with the exception of Prince Edward Island
Fish and Pond Program
Page 36
Fish Sold in Genesee County -Rainbow Trout - (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Rainbow Trout
The leaping ability of the rainbow is legendary. A hooked rainbow almost always skyrockets from the water, often a
half-dozen times, before coming to the
net. Rainbows are less wary than brown
trout and more willing to bite. They are a
favorite of fly fishermen, but can also be
caught on spinners, spoons, plugs, and a
wide variety of baits ranging from
worms to small marshmallows.
Eating Habits
The diet consists mainly of immature and adult insects, plankton, crustaceans, fish eggs, and small fish. But
rainbows consume far fewer fish than brown trout. Their habit of taking adult insects on the surface makes
dry-fly fishing particularly effective.
Identifying the Rainbow Trout
The most obvious identifying characteristic on the rainbow trout--the rosy band running horizontally
down the fish's side--is rarely visible on individuals found in the Great Lakes. Lake-run rainbow trout,
called steelheads, tend to be entirely silver or bluish-silver. Spawning or recently spawned fish may be
quite dark. Breeding males have an extended, hooked jaw.
The best way to identify the Great Lakes rainbow trout is the spotting--the tail and adipose fins are distinctly and profusely spotted in black or brown. However, rainbow trout do not have the reddish spots
shown by the brook and brown trout.
Further Notes:
 Brown or black spots (not red), especially profuse on the tail and adipose fins. Caudal fin
broad but not long, moderately forked
 Eight to twelve principal rays in caudal fin
 Food preferences are aquatic and terrestrial insects, crayfish, and other fish.
 Cannot survive for very long in temperatures at or above
75 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be able to live in water
temperatures as warm as 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but
prefer water as cold as possible.
 Live expectancy is 3 to 5 years.
 Can be caught easier than brown trout and are good
fighters.
 Tastes great as table fare.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 37
Fish Sold in Genesee County—Channel Catfish (Icalurus punctatus)
CHANNEL CATFISH
Ictalurus is Greek and punctatus is Latin,
meaning "fish cat" and "spotted," respectively. Channel catfish are easily distinguished from all others, except blue catfish,
by their deeply forked tail fin. Unlike flathead catfish, the upper jaw projects beyond
the lower jaw. Coloration is olive-brown to
slate-blue on the back and sides, shading to
silvery-white on the belly. Typically, numerous small, black spots are present, but may
be obscured in large adults. The anal fin has 24-29 soft rays, in contrast to the blue catfish which always has 30 or more
rays in the anal fin.
Angling Importance
Channel catfish ranks behind only bass and crappie as the most preferred fish to catch in Texas. Popular with trotliners
as well as rod-and-reel anglers, channel cats may be captured on a wide variety of baits including liver, worms, grasshoppers, shrimp, chicken, cheese and stinkbait, among others. Undoubtedly, part of the reason for their popularity is
their delicious flavor when cooked. Channel catfish in excess of 36 pounds have been landed in Texas waters. The
North American record stands at 58 pounds.
Biology
Channel catfish are most abundant in large streams with low or moderate current. They spawn in late spring or early
summer when water temperatures reach 75°F. Males select nest sites
which are normally dark secluded areas such as cavities in drift piles,
logs, undercut banks, rocks, cans, etc. A golden-yellow gelatinous egg
mass is deposited in the bottom of the nest. Males guard the nest, and
may actually eat some of the eggs if they are disturbed. The eggs, if not
devoured, typically hatch in about a week. Fry remain in the nest, under
the guardianship of the male, for about another week. In clear water,
young fish appear to be much more susceptible to predation and survival
rates during the first year of life are much lower. Channel catfish less than
4 inches in length feed primarily on small insects. Adults are largely omnivorous, feeding on insects, mollusks, crustaceans, fish, and even some
plant material. Sexual maturity is reached in two or three years in captivity, whereas data from natural populations indicates channel catfish in
Texas reach sexual maturity in 3-6 years. Most are mature by the time they reach 12 inches in length.
Distribution
Channel catfish are native to North America east of the Rockies from southern Canada, south into northeastern Mexico,
and east of the Appalachians with the exception of much of the coastal plain north of Florida. The species has been
widely introduced in other areas as far west as California..
The Channel Catfish are one of the easiest fish to manage in your pond. They can feed on a live forage or you can supplement with a commercial feed. Supplemental feeding will often allow the catfish to achieve growth rates sometimes
exceeding 1 1/2 pounds per season. When feeding a commercial feed on a regular basis, their meat will be as clean,
white, and as well marbled as any fish in the pond. Many people consider a commercial fed catfish to have a table quality second to none! Another advantage to commercial feeding a Channel Catfish is that they will feed on top of the water
allowing people of all ages to enjoy the fish even more.
These fish can be stocked independently or as part of a combination stocking with Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Bluegill,
and Black Crappie. When stocked properly the Channel Catfish will not have any negative effects on reproduction or
growth rates of the other fish in your pond.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 38
Fish Sold in Genesee County -Small mouth Bass (Micropterus dolom)
Right: Small mouth bass look similar to their close cousin, the
largemouth. Often they are found in the same waters. To tell the
two apart, look at the closed mouth. If it extends only to the middle of the eye, it’s a small mouth. If it goes way beyond the back
of the eye, the fish is a largemouth bass.
Small mouth Bass
This freshwater fish has some of these following characteristics:
Its pelvic fins sit forward on the body below the pectoral fins.

Some male smallmouth bass return to the same nest year after year; over 85% of smallmouth build their
nest with 150 yards of where they nested in earlier years.

It is the second largest member of the sunfish and a North American original.

Spawning occurs from April to June, when water temperatures are from 58 degrees F. to 70 degrees F.
The male builds saucer shaped nests that are about twice their body length. The nests may be found on
sand, gravel, or rubble with a boulder, log, stump, or bank nearby. After the adhesive eggs are externally
fertilzed and laid in the nest, the male assumes guard duty. He fans the eggs to prevent silt deposition,
remove metabolic wastes, and insure good dissolved oxygen levels. The male protects both eggs and
newly hatched fry from numerous predators.
They put up a hearty fight when caught.
The district does distribute
smallmouth bass in both the 1” to
2” length and 5” sizes. Call us for
more information.
Color varies from brown, golden
brown, olive to green on the back,
becoming lighter to golden on the
sides and white on the belly.
It has 8 to 15 narrow, verticle bars
on the sides and dark bars on the
head that radiate backwards from
the eyes.
The head is realively large, with a large red, orange, or brown eye, and its lower jaw protrudes
A robust, slightly laterally compressed body.






Fish and Pond Program
Page 39
Fish Sold in Genesee County -Koi and Water Quality (Cyprinus carpio)
Koi, or more specifically nishikigoi, literally "brocaded carp"), are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp
Cyprinus carpio. They are believed to have
originated from Earliest records of Koi
have been found in China and have been
widely spread in Japan. They are very
closely related to goldfish and, in fact, the
style of breeding and ornamentation has become very similar, probably through the
efforts of Japanese breeders to emulate
goldfish. Koi and tattoos of koi are traditionally considered lucky. The word "koi"
comes from Japanese. The original Japanese word koi simply means "carp," including both the dull grey fish and the brightly
colored varieties. A homonym of koi means
'love, affection' and koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan.
Farmers working the rice fields would notice that some carp were more brightly colored than others, capture
them, and raise them. Normally the brighter colors would doom the fish to be more likely eaten by birds and
other predators. By the 20th century, a number of color patterns had been established, most notably the red-andwhite Kohaku. The outside world did not become aware of the degree of development until 1914, when the Niigata koi were exhibited in the annual exposition in Tokyo. Some of them were also presented to Crown Prince
Hirohito. At that point, interest in koi exploded throughout Japan. The hobby of keeping koi spread worldwide
after plastic bags and shipping of koi became both fast and safe for the fish. These factors enabled koi to be
shipped worldwide with low mortality rates. Koi are now commonly sold in most pet stores, with higher-quality
fish available from specialist dealers. Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation.
Stress Factors. Koi health depends directly on good water quality. We must provide a clean and healthy
pond environment. A dirty pond is a breeding ground for disease organisms. The koi's own waste and excess
food are the main source of pollution in a pond other than leaves and debris blown in from the wind. A good
filter system will remove the waste products which accumulate and make our koi sick. These waste products
are ammonia, nitrite, carbon dioxide, solid waste and sludge. Some of these can be tested for with simple and
inexpensive test kits. The filter system removes these waste products by the action of good bacteria which
grow in the filter. This is called a biofilter. The bacteria in the biofilter consume a lot of oxygen. A dirty
pond consumes a lot of oxygen. The koi also need optimal levels of oxygen to maintain disease resistance.
As you can see, oxygen is a very important factor and must be continuously provided 24 hours a day. A waterfall, aeration jets or an air pump are all good sources of oxygen. A dirty pond with low oxygen levels may
have a low pH, which is a measurement of acidity in the pond. pH measurements become more acid over the
course of time. Koi need a stable and slightly higher or alkaline pH. Monthly partial water changes along
with good filtration and aeration will help keep the pH stable.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 40
Ways to Control Pond Weeds
Often people think weeds are undesirable, which is true up
to a point. Vegetation that grows in or out of a pond may
interfere with fish production and harvest. By providing
too good a place to hide from predators, the fish population
may become unbalanced. Too many weeds can produce an
unpleasant taste or smell. Vegetation can also interfere
with fishing, swimming, boating, or other recreational use
of the pond.
The triploid grass carp, native to China and the USSR, has
been introduced to more than fifty countries throughout the
world for aquatic weed control. It tolerates both warm and
cold water and lives for more than ten years. In a large
body of water, they are known to grow up to forty pounds
in weight.
The grass carp are “grazers,” they tend to feed in the surface and shallow water. They prefer the tender new shoots
What is often overlooked is that aquatic plants are a benefi- of submerged weeds first before going to the tougher weeds
cial and necessary part of ponds. Without them, most other such as cattails. If the food supply is low, they will actually
pond organisms cannot survive. Plants are needed to keep eat grass clippings or graze on the grass on the sides of at
the water oxygenated, provide food, cover, and nesting sites the pond. Caution: should be taken with grass clippings
for fish, and stabilize the pond bottom. Above twenty per that have no pesticides on them - they are quite toxic to
fish.
cent weed coverage, some control method should be installed.
It is generally better to wait for cooler water temperatures
Pond vegetation can be divided into four major categories: before stocking grass carp. Levels of dissolved oxygen
microscopic plants, floating weeds, submerged weeds, and tend to decrease with increasing water temperature. Addiemergent weeds. Microscopic plants, or plankton, are a
tionally, the fish can be transported and handled much easvital link to the food web. Submerged weeds grow attached ier during cooler weather. Note that grass carp feeding is
to the pond bottom with most of their leaf surface below the greatest when the water temperature is between 70 to 80
water’s surface. Emergent weeds grow in shallow water
degrees F.
and along the shoreline with the leaf surfaces above the
water.
Barriers must be present to prevent the fish moving from
the pond area to a main stream in order to obtain a permit
A very effective way to reduce weed growth is to eliminate from the DEC. The barrier must have spaces between the
the shallow areas that are conducive to weed growth by
bars narrower than the stocked grass carp’s body width.
maintaining a minimum depth of three feet of water and 3:1
slope. This can be done when the pond is dug or by steep- Our office will supply you with a permit form or any other
ening the shore with a dragline.
help you may need to identify weeds.
Another method of control is to repeatedly remove the
leaves of cattails in the spring so that food supply in the
________________________________________________
underground tuber is depleted, causing the plant to die. Using inert dyes to control the amount of light penetration,
Note:
thus discouraging weed growth, is another possibility, but
is frowned upon by the NYS DEC. A special permit is re- Colorants, when administered correctly, will prevent
quired. out office will be glad to assist you with this permit. the growth of pond weeds. Care must be taken not to
kill all of the weeds if you want to keep your fish alive.
One other method of plant control, and one that is the most
promising, is the use of the white amur, also known as the Any chemicals sold on store shelves must be administriploid grass carp. This plant-eating fish cannot be consid- tered by a certified applicator. Call your local DEC for
ered the answer for all aquatic plant problems; rather it of- more information. (585)343-2362.
fers the potential to effectively and economically manage
most of them. The advantages of using carp include 1) longevity 2) constant feeding activity against a growing weed,
3) low long-term costs, and 4) high effectiveness on certain
plants.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 42
Grass Carp
Common Names: Grass Carp, White Amur.
Habitat: Any warm water body of water that has vegetation.
General Information: Grass carp are members of the minnow family. They are one of the largest members of
the minnow (not carp) family, and get larger than common carp.
Description: Grass carp are slender bodied fish, but with a large and very broad head and a wide mouth. They
are dark greenish-brown on the back. The sides are pale golden. Scales are very noticeable and each one is
outlined black.
Size: They get up to four feet long and 70 pounds! These fish are gigantic. The average size common carp is
about 2-5 pounds, but the average size grass carp is about 5-15 pounds, and they often get much bigger. Grass
carp eat up to five times their own weight in food everyday! It's surprising to see such an enormous fish that
has virtually no one trying to catch it.
Stocking: Grass carp originated in Asia and were introduced into the U.S. in 1963 to control aquatic vegetation. Some people consider them to be pests because they eat aquatic vegetation that young game fish use as
cover. Most grass carp stocked are sterile by law. This is because they have a very rapid reproduction rate, and
if they overpopulate they'll eat all the aquatic vegetation and all the other fish in the lake will eventually die.
So, what this means is that you'll
notice (at least in small lakes) is
that the population will slowly
decline as the fish die off. However, most populations get replenished every 5-10 years.
Sporting Qualities: Grass carp
can be caught in many ways.
They are extremely strong fighters. It is considerably easier to
catch grass carp if you can see
them. If you can see them, cast pieces of moss at the carp, sometimes they will also eat insects. Another tactic
is to "chum" the grass carp with lawnmower clippings and moss. If there are grass carp near by they will start
a feeding frenzy eating the grass. Then tie a treble hook to your line and put it in the middle of the grass and
hopefully you'll get one of the grass carp. Finally, the most sophisticated way to fish for Grass Carp is to fly
fish for them. Grass carp will occasionally take flies that imitate small insects. But what works best is to tie a
fly that imitates a piece of grass, moss, or algae. Or you can make a fly that is made with a mixture of real
grass and fly material. One final, and even less common way to catch grass carp is by means of "snag fishing".
Snag fishing is also done to catch the enormous paddlefish. Snag fishermen use very heavy tackle. They put a
big weight at the bottom of the tackle, then above place about 15 treble hooks every ten inches above the
weight. I am pretty sure there aren't any other ways to catch grass carp.
Eating Quality: Grass Carp are very tasty fish. They are considered much better tasting than common carp.
World Record: The world record was grass carp weighed 64 pounds and was caught from Little Blakely
Creek in Arkansas by Brian Meredith in 1994. Undoubtedly, much bigger grass carp have been caught but not
recorded.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 41
Ways to Control Pond Weeds—Barley Straw Used to Control Algae
Clear-up pond cloudiness with a Barley Straw treatment…it’s been done this way for centuries.
Europeans have used barley straw for centuries to maintain pond-water quality. It doesn’t kill existing algae, but as it
decomposes, it creates an environment that attracts beneficial bacteria that discourage unwanted growth, without harming plants or fish. Also increases the invertebrate population, an important food source for fish. Straw is wrapped in netting that allows water to flow through. As the straw decomposes it sinks, but a cork float is attached to each mini-bale to
keep it partially out of the water, since it needs water and oxygen to decompose. You get two mini-bales with corks;
each treats up to 1000 gals. of water for six months.
What does barley straw do? We have heard from many customers that the proper use of barley straw led to much cleaner, clearer
water in their ponds.
Is barley straw an algaecide? No, it is not registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide, and
therefore no claims are made regarding it's use in preventing, removing, controlling or eliminating algae. This is just
natural straw.
How does barley straw work? The process is not well understood, but it is thought that as the straw decays in the presence of oxygen (and possibly sunlight), chemicals are released or produced that help clear water. It does not always
work, but for the little investment, it is a good approach after raking.
How much should be used? If used proactively, 1/2 pound bale could treat a pond up to about 1000 gallons. In ponds
with a history of problems, two or three times that amount may be required at first, and even ten times that concentration
could be used.
Can it be overdone? The straw is not known to be directly hazardous, but anything that decays in water in large quantities will reduce dissolved oxygen levels. This in not a likely problem unless the barley is massively overdosed (more
than ten times normal) and the pond is already oxygen-limited by overstocking fish or the decomposition of other organic materials such as leaves.
How is straw applied? Straw may be used unbundled or packed
loosely in mesh so that water flows freely through the packet. It should
be placed where moving water will oxygenate it and carry its byproducts to the rest of the pond. It's best to anchor it by weight and line, and
then to add some sort of float to keep it from sinking to lessoxygenated water as it becomes waterlogged. We have also heard of
just placing slabs in pockets of algae, or placing bales half and half out
of the water, around the edge. Those methods are to work, also.
You may learn where to obtain bales of barley
How long before improvement can be seen? This depends on several straw by calling our office at 343-2362.
factors, including temperature, quantity of straw, and how well it was
applied, and the specific type of problem the pond has. Once the water
temperature is in the 60's (Fahrenheit), the straw should begin fermenting within a week or two, and its effect should
become noticeable.
How often should it be added? The first dose is best applied early in the spring, before problems begin to arise. A second dose can be applied when the first straw appears to be mostly biodegraded, or when poor water conditions appear to
be returning - usually in midsummer. Here in the northern half of the U.S., it is rarely necessary to dose more than twice.
What reduces barley straw's effectiveness? Since aerated (moving) water and sunlight are required for the proper decomposition to occur, these must be given adequate attention. In particular, a heavy growth of algae or "blanket weed"
needs to be removed to allow water circulation and sunlight penetration. The beneficial chemicals may also be rapidly
absorbed or inactivated by the presence of mud and other organic debris.
Is straw harmful to fish, invertebrates or desired plants? There are no reports of harm to either fish or invertebrates,
other than the overdose/de oxygenation precautions mentioned above. Higher plants Fish and Pond Program
Page 43
Prevention of Algae
Here are some basic rules to limit the amount of algae in your pond.
· Leave a 10-20 foot strip around the pond unmown-the dense thicket of woody plants and herbs will take up
and remove the nutients before they enter the pond.
· Restrict fertilizer use where runoff can enter the pond.
· Keep pond and septic systems widely separated and, if possible, prevent positioning the septic field on the
“upstream” side of the pond.
·Construct a long, narrow depression or mini-pond to catch and slow runoff before it enters the pond.
·Keep livestock, geese, and large groups of ducks away from the pond water.
Any attempt to eliminate algae from a pond will be thwarted if these common sources of nutrients are not
reduced.
Pond owners have several options for controlling algae before and after it grows excessively. A certain level
of algae will always be present in the pond. Your goal should be to keep it under control, while preserving its
role of oxygen production and food for insects, and other invertebrates. Raking, barles straw, and chemicals
are options worth considering.
Raking and hand-removal
The safest method for removing algae from a pond is to rake it off the surface or along the edge of the pond
where it growing. Plan your method ahead of time, so you do not waste time chasing errant clumps across the
pond. Pond owners can use a leaf rake, pool-skimming tool, or screen to gather the clumps of algae together.
It is easy to compost algae removed from the water by mixing it with mulch or wood chips in a tall pile.
Barley straw
· Apply barley straw at the end of June. The algae control properties of barley straw take several weeks to
begin.
· Determine your pond’s size in acres, then plan to apply 200-500 pounds of barles straw per acre (about 4-5
bales.) See the previous page for more instructions.
Chemical control of algae
Numerous chemical algaecides are available to pond owners who desire quick and convenient irradication of
algae. Only algaecides labeled for use in water can be used in private ponds. You can obtain information
about the products from the DEC in Avon at 585-226-2466.
Windmills
See the page on windmills at Page 46 for an affective way to keep pond water clean.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 44
Swimmer’s Itch (cercarial dermatitis)
What is swimmer's itch?
Swimmer’s itch is a skin rash caused by certain parasites (called schistosomes) of birds
and mammals that cause an allergic reaction and an itchy rash. These parasites are released from infected snails and migrate through water, including those used for recreational swimming.
Who gets swimmer’s itch?
People who swim or wade in infested water may experience this itching rash. People
from all over the world and from all classes of life are subject to this rash. Children who
wade near the shore are especially vulnerable. The swimmer may get the infection by
swimming or wading in infested water and then allowing the water to evaporate off their
skin rather than drying themselves with a towel. It is not contagious.
How soon do symptoms begin?
The first exposure to a victim may not result in an itchy rash. However, repeated exposure increases a person’s sensitivity to the parasite and increases the likelihood of developing the rash. Symptoms may appear anywhere almost immediately after leaving the water and may last from to days to several weeks.
A schistomsome (shiss-toeCare should be made to avoid scratching. Take a shallow bath (three inches) in
soam) are “little animal corpses
lukewarm water that contains three tablespoons of dilute Dettol. This will reduce
that cause an allergic reaction
the number of larvae that transfer to the skin. Once out, take a shower and towel
off. Any medical treatment does not lead to a completely immune state. Check
and itchy rash.”
with your Doctor first. If not near a shower, remember to take a towel and dry offright away!
What is the treatment for swimmer's itch?
While all cases do not require treatment, some people may seek relief by applying skin
lotions or creams to minimize the itching
How can swimmer's itch be prevented?
Avoid wading in infested water and always towel off immediately after swimming to help prevent swimmer's
itch. Communities may apply through the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation for a permit to apply specific chemicals to kill the migrating snails. Copper
sulfate or copper carbonate materials can
be applied by boat around popular bathing areas. If properly timed, these applications may prevent the annual migration of infested snails into swimming
areas.
Left: Life Cycle of swimmer’s itch cercariae.
1) Blood fluke carried by waterbird
2) Egg
3) Miracidia
4) Snail host
5) Cercaria seeking host.
Above: a photo of larval
parasite called a "cercaria"
Fish and Pond Program Page 45
Windmills
Windmills Can Help Prevent Weeds
Does your pond water look like pea soup? Ponds and surface water reservoirs often contain excessive amounts
of nutrients caused by runoff from various sources such as fertilizer, animal waste, and enriched soil. These
high levels of nutrients can cause microbial growth and the growth of vegetation commonly called known as
“water blooms”.
Water blooms are mainly composed of microscopic green and blue-green algae. This blue-green algae looks
like vegetation, but in reality is bacteria known as cyan bacteria, and can produce toxins. This bacteria produces bad odors and tastes, along with increased levels of ammonium. It also reduces the amount of oxygen
causing fish kills.
Cyan bacteria is an issue for ponds everywhere. It grows the most in warmer weather. During windy weather,
small amounts of this algae float up from the bottom to the surface and spread across the pond. Eventually, the
algae will resemble a solid green cover on the surface of the pond.
One natural way of potentially preventing algae from growing in your pond is to provide adequate amounts of
oxygen so the microbes cannot multiply. Injecting air in the water with the use of a windmill has been found
to provide enough oxygen into the water to prevent algae bloom . Terry Miller, of Superior Windmills- a Canadian windmill company, said the windmill is as easy to assemble as an erector set. It looks good, it does a
good job, and it is environmentally friendly. These windmills come with a freeze control accessory for climates where water freezes in the winter.
Windmills help finely-sized air bubbles float up from the bottom of
the pond that add oxygen and cleans the water. Even in a seriously
algae infested pond, a windmill will make huge changes to the
pond’s environment. Oxygen cleanses the water of undesirable nutrients and chemicals, and circulates the water and detoxifies the
bottom layer of muck.
In a few days, the surface area of the pond will clear.
Within a few weeks, frogs and insects start appearing, along with
birds in and along the water’s edge.
By the end of summer, the pond bottom will clear, and by mid fall,
healthy plant life will return.
Installation is relatively easy. Two non-mechanically inclined individuals can build and install a 20-foot windmill in eight hours.
Miller works though a local contractor to put up the windmills for
those who don’t want to do it themselves.
Anyone wishing more information may contact Terry Miller at
585-682-3256, or visit http://windmillaeration.com/index.html or
www.windmillwaterpumps.com/
An easy-to-assemble windmill for ponds
Fish and Pond Program Page 46
Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
Zebra Mussels
Zebra Mussel is a menacing, precocious, fishy smelling, gooey-slimed mollusk that has invaded our North
American waters. The life cycle begins with eggs and sperm that are dispersed by spawning. After fertilization, larval stages float for two or three weeks before reaching the settling stage. Mussels can develop from
egg to adult in less than three months. Grown up females release between 40,000 to one million eggs each
summer. Veligers hatch in less than one week, then house-hunt for up to a month, during which time they
make fine meal for other aquatic organisms. Those that survive find a nice, firm place to settle down, where
they can live (and reproduce with abandon) for the next two to five years. Few predators can get past their
shells although diving ducks such as scaups, canvasbacks and long-tailed ducks (previously called “old
squaws) enjoy a few mussels for dinner. So do largemouth bass, carp, yellow perch, freshwater drum and
other fish with strong molars that relish a crunchy snack.
The stripped pattern on their shells gives zebra mussels their name. They can live up to five years and inhabit
fresh water to depths of from three to twenty-three feet. There have been reports of them living in brackish
water, also.
Zebra mussels are pest organisms because they attach to one another and to man-made objects, including water intakes and other plumbing. This has caused a rapid increase in distribution in recent years. They have
even been known to attach themselves to vegetation. Zebra mussels are filter feeders capable of filtering
about one liter of water per day while feeding on algae. By purifying the water, more light is better able to
penetrate deeper, allowing for an increase in aquatic plants which provide cover for fish and act as nurseries
for some species.
Avoid the introduction of zebra mussels in your pond by not allowing anything into your pond that has not
been checked over carefully to be sure it is clean.
Fish and Pond Program Page 47
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes
Mosquito raft ( egg)
Larvae
Pupa
Adult mosquito
There are many kinds of mosquitoes, some of which are vicious biters of man
and animals. Organized mosquito control is necessary because mosquitoes
are not only a nuisance as biting insects, but are also involved in transmitting
disease to humans and animals.
Mosquitoes Need Water: All mosquitoes have four stages of developmentegg, larva, pupa, and adult-and spend their larval and pupal stages in water.
The females of some species deposit their eggs directly on the surface of still
water in such places as ditches, old tires, tire tracks, pails, or excavations that
hold water for some time. The eggs deposited on such waters soon hatch into
larvae. In the hot summer months, larvae grow rapidly, become pupae, and
emerge one week later as flying adult mosquitoes. Most species have many
generations per year.
Only the Female Can Bite: When adult mosquitoes emerge from the aquatic
stages, they mate, and the female seeks a blood meal to obtain the protein
necessary for the development of her eggs. After a blood meal is digested
and the eggs are laid, the female mosquito again seeks a blood meal to produce a second batch of eggs. The male mosquito does not take a blood meal,
but may feed on plant nectar. He lives for only a short time after mating.
Winter Survival Is Important: Most mosquito species over winter in the
egg stage, awaiting the spring thaw, when waters warm and the eggs hatch.
With warm spring days, these females seek a blood meal and begin the cycle
again. Only a few species can over winter as larvae.
Draining a wetland will not necessarily eliminate mosquitoes because mosquitoes have a very short life cycle of from four days to one month and their
eggs can remain dormant for more than a year, hatching when flooded with
water. Therefore, even after a wetland has been drained, it may still hold
enough water after a rain to breed mosquitoes. The drained area may actually
produce more mosquitoes than it did when was a wetland!
Reduce the Amount of Standing Water: The most efficient method of controlling mosquitoes is by reducing the availability of water suitable for larval
and pupal growth. Large lakes, ponds, and streams that have waves, contain
mosquito-eating fish, and lack aquatic vegetation around their edges do not
contain mosquitoes; mosquitoes thrive in smaller bodies of water in protected
places. Examine your home and neighborhood and take the
following precautions:







Clean clogged roof gutters and drain flat roofs.
Flush sump-pump pits weekly.
Stock ornamental pools with fish.
Change water in birdbaths, fountains, and troughs twice a week.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools; when not regularly used, they should be emptied.
Turn over unused wading pools and other containers that tend to collect rainwater.
Cover containers tightly with window screen or plastic when storing rainwater for garden use Mosquito Dunks
during drought periods.
If mosquito breeding is extensive, call the organized mosquito control agency in your area. Or, treat the area with Bacillus thruingiensis isrealensis (Mosquito Ducks®). Sprinkle with one teaspoon of Bacillus thruingiensis isrealensis per 25
square feet or one tablespoon per
75 square feet over the surface of
standing water.
Fish and Pond Program Page 48
Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias)
How big are they? Great blue herons are between 38 and 54 inches in length Males are
slightly larger than females . They have a wingspread of up to 6 feet and weigh between 5 and 8
pounds.
How long do they live? Sixty-nine percent of
new born great blue herons die in their first year
(Hancock and Kushlan 1984). Two of the oldest
known great blue herons have lived 23 years, 3
months and 20 years, respectively.
How fast can they fly? Two separate studies
measured a cruising speed between 19 and 29
miles per hour (Palmer 1962) and another study
recorded 23 miles per hour (Wood 1933).
What do they eat? Great blue herons eat fish
(will try smaller grass carp), frogs, salamanders,
snakes, small mammals, land insects, birds, and some plants. One study showed their diet consisted of 71.55%
fish, 8.15% insects, 8.91% crustaceans, 4.25% amphibians and reptiles, 4.66% mice and shrews, and 2.48%
miscellaneous animal and plant matter. Another study found 75.83% fish, 1.67% aquatic beetles, and 22.50%
aquatic plants (Palmer 1962).
Interesting notes: This is the best known and most widespread of all North American Herons. One subspecies
of the great blue heron is the great white heron, named for its totally white plumage. Formerly a separate species, it is now considered a "white-phase" of the great blue heron. The "white-phase" of the great blue heron,
however, does not change and a more accurate label would be "white-version." The great white heron is confined largely to southern Florida, but is reported to show up in other areas of North America (Palmer 1962).
Great blue herons nest together in colonies, otherwise known as a heronry, and are sensitive to the effects of
human disturbances. In one study of nesting behavior on the Oregon coast, heronries (with 15 to 161 active
nests per heronry) were found in the tops of red alder, western hemlock, and sitka spruce. The study showed
that there were far more active nest sites in isolated areas than areas adjacent to logging (Werschkul 1976) indicating a preference for areas away from human activity. Great blue herons often nest in the tops of trees in
addition to rock ledges, sea cliffs, and the ground (Palmer 1962).
The great blue heron hunts for fish by day as well as by night and
employs two methods, "Standing" and "Walking Slowly." When
"Standing" it will stand motionless in a shallow pool of water,
waiting patiently until a fish comes close enough to pluck from
the water. When "Walking Slowly" it carefully treads its way
through the water, keeping its neck stretched outward and forward. If it catches a small fish it will immediately swallow it. If
the fish is too large the heron will take it onto the shore, kill it first
by beating it into the ground, then pick it apart by biting off bits
and pieces (Bent 1926; Hancock and Kushlan 1984).
.
Fish and Pond Program Page 49
Application for a Permit to Stock Grass Carp (Permit lasts six months)
Upon completion, please mail this to Genesee Co. SWCD, 29 Liberty St., Ste. # 3, Batavia, N.Y. 14020
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
1. Name_____________________________________________________
Action: _____Approve:____ DENY:______
2. Street Address______________________________________________
Permit Number:______________________
3. Street/ Town ______________________________State ______Zip___
Effective Date:_______________________
4. Date of Birth
/
/
Business Telephone____________
Expiration Date:______________________
5. Is this pond located wholly within the boundaries of your property?_____
6. Have triploid grass carp been stocked in this pond in the past?_______
Region: _____________________________
If yes, when?_____________________ No. stocked___________
7. Name of Contact:
Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District
29 Liberty St., Ste. #3
Batavia, N. Y. 14020 Phone: (585)343-2362
POND AND DESCRIPTION (Be sure to answer every question).
Name of Pond ____________________ Location of Pond: Please attach a sketch of directions to get from this office to your
pond._____________.
Type of Pond:
8. Manmade ______or Natural ______
Water Supply:
9. Runoff: Well _____Spring _____Other ____10. Surface area of pond (acres)______
11. Principal use of pond (fishing, boating, swimming, aquiculture)__________________________________________________
12. Fish species found in pond________________________________________________.
13. Description of plant problem. ___________________________________________________________________________.
14. Total acreage of pond.________________
15. Plant Species
Name
Average Depth of Pond _______________________
% Coverage
High
Density
Medium
Low
_______________________
____________________
________
________
_______
_______________________
____________________
________
________
_______
_______________________
____________________
________
________
_______
_______________________
____________________
________ ________
_______
15. Has any other method of aquatic plant or algae control been employed in the past? _______If so, what?__________________
16. I have received and read the following: 1. Sections 11-0507 (1) and 11-1703 (6) of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL)2. POLICY AND PROCEDURES TO THE USE OF TRIPLOID GRASS CARP IN NEW YORK STATE. I
understand that a site visit by DEC personnel may be necessary and that pursuant to ECL Section 3-30301 (2V01), false statements
made on this application are punishable pursuant to Section 210.45 of the New York State Penalty Law.
Date:____________________________
Signature of Applicant:__________________________________________
Fish and Pond Program Page 50
Application for NYS Farm Fish License (Available if you have not filled one out.)
Name_______________________________________________________
Residing at __________________________Town/City ____________________________Zip ____________
Telephone No. ___________ Pond applied for license located in Town of _______________, County of
_________________.
1. Do you (own, lease) the land on which the pond is constructed?________________
2. Is the pond , for which application is being made, used in connection with a private camp, boarding house,
hotel, or other establishment catering to the public?_________________________.
3. What is the approximate size (surface acreage) of the pond? _________________________
4. Is this pond entirely artificial, impounded by a man-made dam?_____________________
5. Is this pond fed by a stream which has its source outside the lands on which the pond is located?
_________________
If so, explain___________________________________________________________________________
6. Is this pond fed by springs, surface water, or both?
___________________________________________________________
7. Into what stream course of other water does your pond drain into?
________________________________________________
8. What species of fish do you wish to stock?
____________________________________________________________________
9. Where do you plant to secure stock?
_________________________________________________________________________
10. Has the pond been stocked previously? ___________________. If so, what species does it contain?
______________________
11. Specify any means you may wish to use to remove fish from your pond (other than angling).____________________________.
Date ________________________Signature of Applicant _______________________________
REMARKS:
Please return completed form to :
Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District
29 Liberty St., Ste. #3
Batavia, New York 14020
This application will be forwarded to the NYS DEC.
Fish and Pond Program Page 51
References
Reference
“A Field Guide to Aquatic Exotic Plants and Animals,” University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program
Bladderwort. Web Site: http:// www.alienexplorer.com/ecology/p71.hmtl, (Crayfish) p.22 hmtl
Cattails. Web Site: http://agen521.www.ecn.purdue.edu/AGEN52/epadir/wetlands/cattails.html
Coontail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Emerged Water Plants, Purple Loosestrife, Cattail, Eurasian Water Milfoil, Hydrilla,
Large Leaf Pondweed, Sago Pondweed, Bladderwort. Web Site:http//kaquaticsystems.net/coontail.html
Dettol.WebSite: http://chm.bis.ac.uk/motm/dettol/dettolh.htm
Duckweed.http://www.cipav.org.co/Irrd/Irrd7/1.3 htm
Duckweed. http://www.cipav.org.co/1rrd/lrrd7/1/3.htm.Picture courtesy of Steve Starling from his book "The Australian Fishing Book"
Eurasian Watermilfoil.Web Site: http://nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/myspl.htm
Fish Kills, http://www.aquatic.org/publicat/state/il-in/faq/fishkil.htm
Integrated Pond Management for Maryland. Web Site: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Pulbications/Publication.cfm?
ID=86
Lakes and Ponds Program. Web Site: http:///www.state.ma.us/dem/programs/lakepond/exotics/submerged.htm
Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District, “Fish Pamphlet”
Mosquitoes and Diseases They Transmit. Web Site: http://insects/tamu.edu/extension/bulltetins/b-6119.html
NYS DEC, Avon, New York, applications for fish pond and grass carp permits.
Non-Native Freshwater Plants Fragrant Pond Lily. Web Site: http://ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/aqua005.
Html
Personal Interview, Bob Berkemeier, Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Personal Interview, George Squires, Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Plants. Http://plant.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=TRNA
Pond Management Guide-Stocking and Harvesting. Web Site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/wild/aquatics/pond/ chap
ter1.html
Pond Management Guide-Site Planning and Pond Construction. Web Site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreso/wild/aquatics/
pond/chapter1.html
Pond Scum. Http://www.wvu.edu/-agexten/aquaculture/pondscum.htm
Purple Loosestrife. Web Site: http://inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/loosestrife/beweed/html
Rainbow trout. Http://://srac.tamu.edu/224fs.pdf
Fish and Pond Program
Page 52
References, con’t.
Spread, Impact, and Control of Purple Loosestrife in North American Wetlands. Web Site: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/
resource/1999/loostrf/chrono.htm
Trout. The Life Cycle of the Trout. Http.//www.wild-trout.co.uk/life Wehrneister and Stuckey, 1978, Curly Leaf Pondweed.
Windmills. www.windmillwaterpumps.com/testimonials.html.
Yellow Water-Buttercup. Web Site: http://ghs.gresham.k12.or.us./science/ps/nature/gorge/5petal/butter/ran/flabellaris.
htm 2002
Zebra mussels. Web Site: http://www.foca.on.ca/Infobase/?Environment/Infobase/Environment/Invaders/zebramussels.
htm.
Fish and Pond Program
Page 53
Notes