Spending time fishing is a great way to get some food for later.If you have the determination and energy, you can make a fishing pond in your backyard.Pick a location, determine your pond's size, and purchase the proper materials so you can start adding fish.
Step 1: Provide 1 sq ft (0.093 m) of space for each fish.
Determine how much space you're willing to devote to a pond.Get the square footage by dividing the length and width of the area.It is possible to determine how many fish you can accommodate by estimating the square foot required for every inch of fish.If you plan to add 10 fish that are each 5 inches (13 cm) in length, the pond should be at least 50 square feet.2 inches of fish can be allowed per square foot if you install a filtration device.Don't break the 1 inch rule.
Step 2: There are requirements for fishing ponds.
Ask your local building department how far away the pond is from the property lines.Ask the local environmental department about the regulations.Depending on where you live and the size of your pond, you might need a permit.In Idaho, a Private Fish Pond Permit is free but must be renewed every 5 years.There are free meetings from a certified pond consultant.They can help you figure out how to best create a pond with the help of variables.Do you need a fence around the pond?Local codes require fencing for ponds that are deeper than 18 inches (46 cm).
Step 3: The pond location should have equal amounts of sunlight and shade.
A region that is exposed to sunlight during the morning and shade in the afternoon is where the ponds should be placed.The water temperature will be kept cool.You should not place your pond under trees.Although it is great for shade, it will quickly fill the pond with seeds, leaves, or needles.If you factor in young trees growing nearby, you can estimate where their branches will grow.If you place your pond in a location where water runs off, it will be at a higher risk of pollution.You need a waterproof ground-fault circuit interrupter outlet outside of your home to power your pump.It should be close to the pond.
Step 4: The location's soil has a low water retention.
Throw the ball into the air and catch it.The soil is not suitable if it breaks apart.If it stays together, fill the hole in your waist with water in the morning.You can cover the hole with a board in the evening.The soil is suitable for a pond if most of the water is gone the next day.If you only have space in a location that isn't suitable for ponds, cover the hole with a layer of plastic sheeting, sand, or concrete.The pond's water will not be absorbed into the soil.Home hardware stores sell plastic sheeting, sand, and concrete.
Step 5: You can purchase a backyard fishing pond kit.
The kit should include a water liner, pump, and sometimes accessories like silk water lilies.Each one is designed for a specific size.The smallest is typically 9 square feet (0.84 m) and designed for 84 gallons.Don't invest in a kit for ponds that are deeper than 18 inches (46 cm) and longer than 6 feet (1.8 m) if you're installing the pond without professional help.Pick a kit that matches the local fishing pond regulations.The pond liner and pump can be purchased separately.
Step 6: Put a hole in it.
Measure the length and width of your pond to determine the hole size.The minimum depth for ponds that harbor fish is 2 ft (0.61 m).If you live in an extreme northern region, the hole should be at least 3 ft.If you want to loosen the soil, start by thrusting your shovel straight down and wiggling it forward and backward.The top of your shovel's handle should be touched with your dominant hand.To encourage other forms of wildlife like toads, salamanders, and ducklings, create a pond depth between 6 inches (15 cm) and 4 feet (1.2 m)40 to 50 percent of the pond is the deeper region if the hole is not even.Don't dig your pond's hole near any lines or pipes if you call 811 to locate utility lines.
Step 7: There is excess soil below the surface of the waterline.
The shelf should be at least 18 inches below the surface of the water.This is a step for anyone who falls into the pond.Place an online classified for excess soil or bring it to a landfill.To determine sanitary requirements for the soil, call your city's offices before you bring it to a landfill.
Step 8: Put the liner over the hole.
Pull the liner across the hole with the help of a friend.There is overlap on all of its sides.If you want to weigh down the perimeter, use small bricks or stones.If you don't purchase a pond kit and need to purchase liner separately, use this formula to calculate the length and width.The length and width should be combined to get the total square footage.Consider a pond that is 3 feet deep and 7 feet long.The calculation for both length and width is 15.The area in square feet that your water liner must cover is 15 x 15.Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) liner is more expensive but more flexible, while polyethylene (PE) and reinforced polypropylene line are cheaper but thicker and harder to work with.
Step 9: Water can be added to the hole.
To fill your pond with water, use a garden hose and adjust the liner to match the sides of the pond as it fills.As the pond continues to fill, begin removing the stone weights.The water should be dechlorinated.If you can't, allow the water to sit in your pond for a day or two to settle and let the chlorine kill the organisms that live in it.Your fish will not be harmed by this.When the pond is full, cut off any extra liner with scissors or a knife.Purchase a dechlorinator from a hardware store.If you live in an area with frequent rain, you should skip this step.
Step 10: The GPH is equal to the square footage of the pond.
GPH is for gallons per hour.If you bought a fishing pond kit, the size of the pump will be indicated.Attach the feet to the pump and place them in the middle of the pond.Turn it on by connecting it to a waterproof outlet.The rate on the pump should be adjusted if the water flow is too much.Make sure the pump you buy can pump GPH.The GPH should be at least225 if your pond is 21 square meters.The nozzles provided with your pump can be used to control water flow.Purchase a unit with the lowest electrical costs.Heavy-duty pond pumps can be installed by a contractor.
Step 11: An air filter increases the amount of oxygen in the water.
There is a shaded area above your pond's water line where you can place your air filter.The airlines should be extended toward the edge of the pond.The check valves should always be connected to the airlines.Finally, connect the airlines to the air stones by placing them around the pond.The check valves should point in the same direction as the stones.You need to connect your filter to a protected outlet.During the winter, place air stones in shallow areas of the pond.Follow the manufacturer's instructions if you follow the installation instructions.
Step 12: If you want your pond's oxygen to be circulating, you need a water diffuser.
Proper oxygen circulation improves the health of your water system.Pick a product that is designed for your pond's depth.The most common way to install a system is by connecting the airlines to the air compressor and placing the diffuser at the bottom of the pond.Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 13: The pond should be more like the fish's natural habitat by adding plants.
Many fish eat plants in the wetlands.If you want to anchor a plant without damaging its roots, you have to make a beak with your fingers.Put your hand in the soil and then open your fingers.Before the cover settles over them, this will ensure that the roots spread out.If you place your plants in clusters of 2 to 3, baby fish will be able to hide from larger predator that will eat them.Look for plants like cattail, lotus, iris, and water hyacinth.Place the plants in the center of the pond and along the hole's shelf.To prevent crowding, place the ponds in the center with a few feet of space between them.
Step 14: Before adding fish, let the pond water settle for a day.
It's important to let the water settle for water that hasn't been treated to remove chlorine.Net your fish and dump them into the pond.Take your fish to the new water before putting them in the pond.If you want to do this, put them into a tub or bucket with their original water and gradually add your pond water.
Step 15: There is a local pond.
There are pond fish to start.Try to get more than one species.Your fish can reproduce and make more fish if your pond has diversity.If you're going to eat your fish, make sure it's an eating species.Crawdads should be included to keep the bottom of the tank clean and to make sure they have plenty of rocks to hide under.A good rule of thumb is to have at least 3 breeding pairs.It's important to have species that won't kill each other.You can order hatchlings from the local wildlife and fisheries department or buy fish from local pet stores.
Step 16: New fish should be added.
There will be no more to catch if you catch every fish.To avoid disrupting the pond's ecology, try and replace all the fish you catch with the same fish.As much as possible, keep the male and female fish populations the same.
Step 17: The water should be clean.
Don't go completely under the water with your skimmer if you use a leaf skimmer.There are leaves at the bottom of the pond.Home improvement stores sell leaf skimmers and vacuums.
Step 18: When the water is low, refill your pond.
The pond's water level will eventually decrease.You might not have to refill it often if you get enough rain.Top it off with a garden hose.If you're filling the pond with city water, attach a dechlorinator to it.