IFAS FA-17, Fertilization of Freshwater Fish Ponds

IFAS# FA-17

Fertilization of Fresh Water Fish Ponds

Craig Watson and Charles E. Cichra

Opening Paragraph:
Fertilization is used in land-based agriculture to increase productivity of a field. One can also increase the production of a pond by adding fertilizer. If a fish species which consumes small natural foods is grown, such as the bluegill or golden shiner, then pond fertilization can increase the production of these fish. Fertilizers provide nutrients to microscopic plants known as algae. These algae are eaten by microscopic animals (zooplankton) and insects, both of which serve as food for small fish. These small fish are in turn eaten by larger predatory fish. Fertilization of a pond which has both bluegill and largemouth bass, will thus result in greater numbers of larger bass because of the increased number of bluegill for them to eat. With proper fishing, the pond will also produce greater numbers of larger bluegills. Fertilized ponds can have fish yields three to four times over that of unfertilized ponds.

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