Pond Improvement

[Hunting7mm]

I'm hoping to improve the duck habitat in a few ponds.  Wondering what you guys have done to improve your ponds.  These ponds are about 8' deep with a few trees and lots of brush.  Not alot of feed (need to improve).  Any ideas?   

[Blacktail135]

 8' is deep. Can you get one down to about 1' deep away from the tree's?

[Hunting7mm]

Maybe!!!!!!!!!!! One pond is around 3 feet deep at one point!!!!

[lokidog]

I think as a food source, you need shallower ponds , like someone said 1' or so at least around the edges, for puddle ducks anyways.  You might place some rafts out there or platforms and get some nesting going on them.  A wood duck house or two on the edges might be good as well.  I would get a hold of DU.  I am sure they have some pond specialists that would love to share info with you.

[Hunting7mm]

Thanks!!!!!!!  I have a few ideas and I can plant the edges!!

[Blacktail135]

 Do you have any smartweed in the ponds? If not, get it started. Ducks love smartweed. Since you can plant the edges, get some corn there next year. Talk to your local farm support for help with that.

[Hunting7mm]

What about wild rice or millet?

[dreamunelk]

Careful, make sure you are following the state laws.  You may want to talk to the local NRCS extension.  They have programs at time that will help landowners improve their for wildlife.

[ICEMAN]

Hunting7mm, good for you and your interest. Keep us posted.

[Kola16]

You mentioned that there were trees. Just make sure that there is a flyway into your pond. A flyway from the north and the south.

[Hunting7mm]

You mentioned that there were trees. Just make sure that there is a flyway into your pond. A flyway from the north and the south.

Ok that means cutting some alders out.  By the way the ponds on private land but I'm not the owner. 

[Skagit_Hunter]

Sheltered water on windy days can be good. smartweed and millet is a good start. But with millet. Once you have it it will spread all over on its own. Smartweed will take a few seasons to come in good.