Pond owners invited to Pond Playbook Conservation Chat April 11

f your pond fishing last summer left you wanting more, the Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District has just the event for you. Ashland SWCD will be hosting a Pond Playbook Conservation Chat:on April 11 at 9 a.m. at Tom Kruse Park.

The morning program will feature pond management expert Steve Fender of Fender’s Fish Hatchery, who will share practical strategies for managing a healthy pond. Fender quite literally wrote the book on the Pond Management (which is available for purchase through Ashland SWCD’s spring fish sale).  Fender will walk participants through everything from fish selection and stocking rates to feeding and habitat tips that keep fish healthy and anglers happy.

And the deal is just as friendly as the fish. Registration is $5 per person—or free for both attendees when you bring a friend.

“Healthy ponds don’t happen by accident,” said Ashland SWCD Director Jane Houin. “But with the right balance of species and a little management know-how, your pond can provide great fishing for years. Steve Fender is the expert on this, and he presents that info in an easy to understand way that makes sense. Steve always makes it fun to learn”

During the workshop, Fender will cover the fundamentals of pond balance—starting with the classic pairing of largemouth bass and bluegill, two species that naturally regulate each other and create a self-sustaining fish population. A typical recommendation is stocking 100 bass and 200 bluegill per surface acre.

Looking to diversify your pond? Pond owners can also consider:

  • Yellow perch for variety and great table fare

  • Black crappie, which can grow up to 18 inches

  • Channel catfish, a favorite for anglers and dinner plates

  • Redear “shellcracker” sunfish, which help control parasite-carrying snails

  • Hybrid bluegill, known for their aggressive bite and rapid growth

  • Fathead minnows, an excellent food source for larger fish

  • White amur (grass carp) for natural vegetation control

Fender will also share tips for feeding fish, improving habitat, and preventing common issues like spring fish kills caused by winter stress and low oxygen levels.

Pond owners attending the program can also place their last minute orders with Ashland SWCD;s annual spring fish stocking sale. In addition to fingerlings, the sale also includes fish food, Nature’s Pond Conditioner—a product designed to reduce muck buildup and limit unwanted vegetation—and even Fender’s Pond Management guidebook.

“Whether you’re managing a brand-new pond or trying to boost the fishing in an older one, proper stocking and management make all the difference,” Houin said.

The event is open to anyone interested in ponds, fishing, and aquatic habitat management. RSVPs can be made online at pondplaybook.eventbrite.com or contact Zoey Dudte at 41-281-7645

Ashland SWCD