Liming

Countless bags and gallons of pond fertilizers are wasted yearly by people who try to fertilize their lakes and ponds without checking to see if they need lime. Most soils in the Southeast are acidic (low pH), and therefore need to be limed before fertilizing can be successful. Just as farmers lime their fields, ponds and lakes need to be limed as well.

MidSouth Lake Management will conduct a water quality analysis to test for alkalinity. Alkalinity is the standard measurement we use to determine the need for lime. An alkalinity of less than 20 parts per million indicates that for fertilizer to be effective, lime must first be added.

MidSouth Lake Management limes ponds with a specilized liming barge, which ensures that the entire pond bottom is properly covered to increase its effectiveness. Agriculture limestone is the most effective form of lime. At proper rates, agriculture limestone can last up to 5 years in some lakes. It is definitely the best and most cost effective way to lime a lake. To see if you can properly fertilize, you may need to get your water checked to see if lime is needed.

Fertilizing

Research into fertilization of sport fish ponds was first conducted by H.S. Swingle and E.V. Smith at Auburn University in the 1930s. They found out that regular applications of inorganic fertilizers dramatically increased the bass and bream population to as much as 4-6 times that of unfertilized ponds. The standard fertilization schedule developed then is still greatly accepted as the best fertilization schedule and is used extensively by aquaculturists and fisheries biologists. The schedule begins in March and ends in October and typically results in 10-12 applications a year.

Fertilizing lakes produces Phytoplankton, which is the base of the food chain. A simplified food chain looks like: Phytoplankton < Zooplankton < Aquatic Insects < Bluegill, Largemouth Bass. Phytoplankton feed zooplankton, which feed insects, which feed bream and so on up the chain to bass.

There are several types of pond fertilizers to use, such as granular, liquid and water-soluble powder. We like using the powder due to its effectiveness and relative ease of application.

MidSouth Lake Management offers a monthly fertilization program. During the visit, we measure visibility to determine how much fertilizer to add. We also make sure no aquatic weeds are present during our visit. One of the most important management services we provide is fertilizing ponds and lakes.

Electrofishing

What is the point of having a beautiful pond without a healthy fish population to go with it? MidSouth Lake Management prides itself on making a fish population as good as it can be. One of the most important tools in managing a fish population is electrofishing. Electrofishing is the most effective and adequate way to sample a fish population and determine the overall health of the fishery. MidSouth Lake Management prefers to do an electrofishing analysis annually. This is so we can analyze valuable data and ensure that the pond or lake remains healthy and balanced. Electrofishing does not harm the fish - it just stuns them so that we can weight and measure the fish. Electrofishing results provide us with the important information that enables us to prepare a comprehensive management plan for your lake.

Fish Stocking

MidSouth Lake Management provides quality fish for stocking. This includes stocking fish for a new pond, as well as supplemental stocking for established ponds and lakes.

Species for stocking include: Bluegill, Shellcracker (redear sunfish), Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Triploid Grass Carp, Fathead Minnows, Tilapia, Golden Shiners and Threadfin Shad.

Aquatic Weed Control

If every lake owner could lime and fertilize, we may not need to spray aquatic vegetation nearly as often. Unfortunately, due to excess waterflow and other factors, sometimes weeds become an aggravated problem. MidSouth Lake Management stresses preventative measures (through fertilizing and stocking Grass carp), but when weeds become a problem, spraying them with herbicides is the best way to control them. We are licensed, insured and bonded to treat lakes in the southeast.

Supplemental Feeding

Supplemental feeding is a great way to increase the overall health and abundance of fish in your lake or pond. Bream and catfish are two species that benefit directly through fish feed. Not only does your bream grow to trophy size, they are also healthier during spawning times. Healthier fish produce a greater amount of offspring, which will lead to an abundance of fish for the future. Another great benefit is the enjoyment you get from watching the feeding frenzy take place around a fish feeder. They are also great places for young kids who are just learning to fish. MidSouth Lake Management provides the very best automatic fish feeders on the market.

Trophy Fish Management

Trophy bass lakes and ponds are a management option many of our clients choose. In this situation we offer stocking an additional forage species along with the typical bass/bream combination. Threadfin shad, golen shiners and tilapia, when under good management conditions, provide an excellent food source for Trophy Bass production.