Survey of Success and Owner Management of North Alabama Ponds One Acre and Less in Size

To determine the extent of pond owner management and the condition of balance of the fish population during the first 2 years of fishing in small ponds, 40 ponds were randomly selected for study from ISO ponds 1.0 acre or less in size stocked in the 1971-72 stocking season. Only five ponds contained balanced Hsh populations both study years. Primary factors aHecting fish population balance were fertilization, livestock utilization, competitive species, severe water level reduction or complete loss of water, and fish kills. Proper pond management was not practiced by most pond owners in the study.