Fish Growth Depends On Sunlight

By Jeff Berti
What would you have thought if your neighbors had planted their garden under their porch this year? You’d probably thought they had been working too hard or that they spent too much time in the sun that day. Most of us have a basic understanding of how things grow, and we certainly wouldn’t plant a garden this way. What about your “aquatic gardens?” You’ll find that raising fish in muddy water is a lot like trying to grow tomatoes under the porch.
The plants in your pond or lake are like the plants in your garden because they both depend on sunlight to grow. If a pond is muddy, sunlight will not penetrate and plants will not grow. Without microscopic algae to eat, small animals like plankton and aquatic insect larvae exist only in low numbers. This means less food for fish and fewer pounds of fish produced. Studies show that bass grow up to five times faster in clear water compared to muddy water.
Fish reproduction and the chances of catching fish in a muddy pond are also greatly reduced. Remember that bass and bluegill are sight feeders. If they can’t see to feed, they probably will not find their way to your hook either. In most cases, you should be able to see an object placed in 24 inches of water.
Causes of Muddy Water
So, how do you clear up a muddy pond? First, you need to find out what is causing the problem. The feeding habits of carp, bullheads and burrowing mayflies can stir up the bottom of the pond. Wind action and livestock can also keep a pond stirred up and muddy. In some ponds, tiny particles of clay may remain suspended, causing cloudiness.
In addition, take a good look at the land that drains into your pond (the watershed). Is it well seeded with vegetation, or are there bare spots that may be eroding? A well vegetated watershed will reduce the amount of silt that reaches your pond.
Clearing Up the Problem
To diagnose what is affecting your pond, simply fill a jar with water from the pond and let it sit undisturbed. If the water clears in less than a week, your problem is probably being caused by wind, aquatic organisms, erosion or livestock. Seeding or fencing around the pond may help solve the problem. If carp or bullheads are present, you may want to chemically renovate the pond and restock desired species.
If the water doesn’t clear when allowed to stand for a few days in the jar, chances are good that your problem is due to suspended clay particles. To get clay particles to settle, agriculture gypsum may be spread on the entire surface of the pond. Results can usually be noticed within a week or two.
As you can see, the “crops” in your aquatic garden also need sunlight for maximum growth. Use these simple steps to clear up your fishing hole and you’ll enjoy the benefits at “harvest” time.