Managing Ponds for Fishing

Fishing is an important Spring Island amenity. All freshwater ponds are owned by the Property Owners’ Association (POA). The POA uses a fisheries consultant to provide recommendations on how to manage ponds for fishing.

A number of practices increase the size and number of fish in our ponds: regular stocking with bait fish, keeping the density of bass from getting too high (by electro-shocking or other means of removal), providing supplemental food when necessary and adding structure to the pond bottoms to provide hiding places from predators.

Managing aquatic and bank vegetation

Maintaining vegetation along the banks of freshwater ponds is a balancing act. Aquatic plants and bank vegetation can be beneficial because they serve many important functions such as providing oxygen and processing waste nutrients. They also protect the shoreline from erosion, provide cover for young fish and aquatic invertebrates and offer shade and nesting habitat for birds.

However, too much aquatic plant matter can cause fish kills if it dies and sinks to the bottom of the pond. Oxygen is depleted as microorganisms break it down. In addition, large floating mats of aquatic plants make fishing very difficult. In some cases, herbivorous fish like the sterile triploid grass carp are used to control aquatic vegetation. Exceptionally large shrubs along the bank interfere with access and views. However, maintaining bank vegetation can deter alligators from basking in unwanted areas.

Aquatic herbicides that are safe for fish and other aquatic organisms are used specifically in and around wetlands. They also are used to keep trees and woody shrubs from growing on dikes.

Maintaining dikes

Dikes are maintained by periodic mowing. Trees and shrubs are typically removed to prevent roots from damaging the structural integrity of the dikes. Poor soil may limit the species that grow on dikes.

Alligators can be present in any fresh water body in the Southeast. Learn more about alligators and how to safely live with them. Each of Spring Island’s ponds is managed based on a specific set of objectives. For more information, click here. Find out more about Spring Island’s fishing ponds.