This fact sheet focuses on one aspect of good management, pond fertilization; other considerations include pond renovation, elimination of existing fish populations and restocking. Information on pond renovation and population control can be obtained from the county Cooperative Extension Service offices throughout Maryland, or the Sea Grant Extension Program. Other sources of information are Marylands Department of Natural Resources and the Soil and Water Conservation District Offices throughout the state. Fertilization may not necessarily increase the size of individual fish, though it can help increase the total poundage. Proper stocking and harvesting techniques are required to increase fish size. For example, if a oneacre pond had 100 pounds of two to threeinch bluegills and few to no largemouth bass, fertilization would probably result in 300 to 400 pounds of two to threeinch bluegills and still only a few largemouth.

Website: http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/programs/extension/aquaculture/finfish/factsheets/FF8/