The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (DWFF) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provides a variety of services for the private pond owner. These services include, pond balance checks, fish kill investigations, and weed control recommendations. Applications for these services must be submitted in a timely fashion to the DWFF office in the district where the pond is located. Some of these services are also provided by Alabama Cooperative Extension System personnel. Owners should take advantage of the full variety of sources of technical assistance to help them better manage their ponds.

Prior to mid-2009 (fish for stocking in 2010), the DWFF did provide fish for pond stocking. This service has been suspended indefinitely.

Balance Checks

State biologists will do seine checks of private ponds to determine if the fish populations are in balance (proper number and sizes of both sunfish and bass to generate good growth and fishing success). Biologists conduct pond checks in June and September. Applications for June balance checks must be made by May 31 and by August 31 for September checks.  Results of these checks are summarized by the district biologist and recommendations are provided to the pond owner in writing. Check with the district biologist for any schedule of costs for this service.

Fish Kills, Water Quality, and Weed Control

Fisheries biologists will provide information and advice concerning fish kills in recreational fishing ponds. Pond owners should contact their district biologist immediately if fish are sick and begin dying in their pond. The district biologists will also provide advice and help with problems of poor water quality and vegetation control. These problems can be reported at any time during the year. Owners should seek help with these problems when they first arise when the problems are most easily corrected. Alabama Extension personnel also provide help with these issues. Check the telephone directory under government or USDA to find your county Extension office. Links to county Extension offices and other resources can also be found at www.aces.edu.

ADCNR Internet Resources

For more information concerning ADCNR’s pond management program, see https://www.outdooralabama.com/where-fish-alabama/ponds.

Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries- Fisheries Section Technical Staff

Figure 1. Fisheries District Boundaries and Office Locations, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries