Feeding a Family From a Garden

[Ridgerunner]

Another one of my stories. When my uncle retired he moved back to the ridges of East Tennessee and built a house near a small stream. He built a pond off that stream, cleverly arranging for water to be taken from that stream from a settling basin at the top of the pond and water being discharged back into that stream at the bottom, while allowing any erosion from heavy rains to pass on down the streambed and not fill his pond.

He stocked that pond with bluegill, large mouthed bass, and catfish. The bluegill and bass did great. He could sit on his front porch and see three huge bass schooling together. If he took a fishing pole to the pond his wife would watch the bass swim to the far end of the pond. Great entertainment.

But the catfish just died. He got the county extension agent out to help him figure out why the catfish did not thrive in what should be a great set-up. The agent looked at that stream coming down the hillside, measured the temperature of the water, and told him the catfish were starving to death. I don’t know what variety of catfish he had, but evidently those catfish would not eat if the water temperature was less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. That beautiful year-around spring-fed stream was colder than that in the heat of summer starved those catfish to death although there was plenty for them to eat in that pond.

Chickie, your being in New Hampshire made me think of that story.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

in NH we have a catfish relative we call a hornpout, guess this is also called a brown bullhead. they don't get very big so aren't really worth catching and keeping most times.

after reading a little about hornpout i realized why you uncle may have had a problem keeping his catfish happy and fed. seems they thrive better in low oxygen environments. his pond/stream setup sounds nice but the water was too active to their liking.

there was an article in the local paper about the local lakes and rivers being stocked with trout this past summer. here's hoping for a nice fishing season next spring/summer! wish i could stock my pond with trout too!

 

[Smart Red]

My neighbor and BFF since 4th grade has a spring-fed pond. Many, many years ago her father had it seeded with trout fingerlings. Unfortunately, the trout fell victim to hungry snapping turtles so the fish were never reintroduced. This summer we drained most of the water out and had a backhoe clean up the sides and remove years of scum and plant matter. With the low water level and the clean water, we could see there in the lowest spot were 7 huge trout hanging out together.

I had suggested for a while that she look into getting more trout for the pond. Now I suspect her son will be doing just that. Being spring-fed, the water is about 54 degrees (F) all year round. That would make it too cold for many more domestic fish, but ideal for the trout. I'd much rather hunt the snappers than miss out on good cheap fishing. 'Sides, turtle chowder is fantastic!

 

[Jared77]

Mmmm fish (Not picky here catch 'em & let's get cookin!) I never raised them to eat but there's a of info on aquaponics out there. My problem was the high start up cost & the electricity needed to run a closed set up like that. But a large stocked pond or a spring fed set up that would be a great set up & alternative food source.

Tilapia is a real mild fish so it can be used in a variety of dishes too. When we find we always buy it from the fish counter, it's good eats.

Have you tried the co-ops or feed stores to order fish to stock ponds with? It might vary state to state whist you can order but it would be worth looking into. Around here usually around the same time chick orders are being taken so are the fish orders.

 

[Nyboy]

I once had 2,000 goldfish fedex from fish farm. what a disaster I think 20 lived by time I got them to my pond. Now i buy feeders at pet shop.

 

[so lucky]

UNH is doing some hydroponic research using Tilapia in tanks below their growing tubs. interesting setup they had when i was last over there. but having an outdoor pond is nice for raising catfish, or in my case, koi. (i don't eat my koi but i can keep the catfish in with them!)

I have some friends who are trying this now; they have a greenhouse with big tanks, recirculating water, lettuces and greens growing hydroponically, tilapia in the tanks. I think it is slow getting it started; haven't talked too much with them about it, as other subjects have taken priority. I'm pretty sure they did their homework regarding the research. I hope it works for them.

 

[897tgigvib]

I wonder if they will ever figure out how to get rid of the non native squawfish