If you already have or are considering adding a pond to your property, you may want to think about stocking your pond with fish. Fish provide you and your family with opportunities for recreational fishing without leaving your home and also help manage algae, weeds, insects, leeches, and worms in the water feature. Stocking your pond with fish isn’t as easy as catching live fish from another source and adding them to yours. Instead, you will need to navigate many state regulations concerning fish farming.
Regulations for Stocking Your Pond with Fish in Oregon
In Oregon, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) regulates private fish ponds and fish stocking. Their laws are intended to protect the wild fish population in adjacent rivers, streams, and lakes from the unintentional introduction of invasive species. The regulations are relatively extensive, but here are a few highlights to introduce you to restrictions you will need to consider for your project.
You must screen your pond. If your pond will receive water from a natural source or if water escapes into another waterway, those entrances and exits must be screened so that no fish can travel into or out of your pond. Securing the inlets and outlets will prevent invasive species or diseased fish from spreading their populations.
You will need a permit. You will need a permit to transport fish to your pond. If you purchase fish from a private producer, they should provide you with a permit reviewed by the ODFW Fish Stocking Coordinator. Obtaining a permit can take anywhere from ten to thirty business days for a new pond site. Once your pond has been reviewed and approved, future permits to add more fish will take anywhere from one to ten business days.
You can only stock certain types of fish. The ODFW only allows pond owners to stock species of fish already found in the adjacent water supply in case any fish escape through an outlet. You can determine the types of fish that may be stocked in your area by reviewing the map on their website. Also, to prevent the spread of disease, only fish from ODFW-approved disease-free hatcheries may be stocked.
You will need permits for other types of additions to your pond. For example, you may want to use grass carp to control unwanted aquatic plants. Because it is a controlled species in Oregon, you will need to acquire a grass carp stocking permit and purchase it from an approved supplier. The ODFW will help you determine all the types of approvals and permits required for your specific project.
What kind of fish are best for a private pond?
Not all fish thrive in private ponds. Trout need flowing water for their reproduction processes and usually don’t survive the warm water temperatures in the summer if the water is less than 8-10 feet deep. Instead, it’s generally better for pond owners to choose a type of warm water fish like bass or bluegill that are hardier in this environment. Most likely, the pond will need to be restocked each year regardless of the type of fish in the pond.
Are you interested in building a pond on your property?
Building a pond that will function properly for decades begins with professional excavation. Our crews at Excavation Oregon are skilled at assessing land, helping determine the best placement, and navigating requirements for permits and approvals. We’ll clear your property of trees and brush and then excavate the ground to form the perfect pond for your needs. Ready to discuss the possibilities? Give us a call to learn more about the process and receive a bid on your project.
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