Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts will present an educational, how-to webinar focused on growing and supporting healthy fish populations in ponds and lakes from 6-7:30 p.m. on April 16.

An over-the-shoulder shot of a person lifting a fish out of a fishing net.
An April 16 webinar will focus on growing and supporting healthy fish populations in lakes and ponds. (Courtney Sacco/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Cost is $35, and advanced registration is required at https://tx.ag/FishManagement.

A comprehensive look at fish production for landowners

Todd Sink, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist and associate professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, will be the featured speaker. Sink is also director of the AgriLife Extension Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory in Bryan-College Station.

Management topics will include:

  • The pond food chain.
  • Requirements to grow abundant or large fish.
  • Fertilization programs.
  • Available feeds and feeding regimens.
  • Maximum production strategies.
  • How to sample a fish population.
  • Common problems found within a population.
  • How to determine if a pond is suffering from stunted fish growth.

In addition to this material, Sink said the webinar will also cover optimal production and trophy management strategies for bass, bluegill/sunfish, catfish and black crappie.

Further, the types of structures and fish attractors that can be added to a pond or lake to improve fishing will also be discussed.

A 30-minute Q&A session will conclude the hourlong webinar.

For more information, contact Brittany Chesser, AgriLife Extension aquatic vegetation program specialist and lead diagnostic scientist at AgriLife Extension’s Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory, Bryan-College Station, at [email protected].