HARVARD UNIVERSITY

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FARM PONDS

IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, KANSAS

By

CLAUDE E. HASTINGS

and

FRANK B. CROSS

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STATE BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF KANSAS

Farm Ponds in Douglas County, Kansas,
and Their Use in Fish-Production

Claude E. Hastings and Frank B. Cross

State Biological Survey of Kansas

University of Kansas
museum of natural history

EDITOR: E. RAYMOND HALL

Miscellaneous Publication No. 29, pp. 1-21
Published May 17, 1962

Lawrence, Kansas

MUS. C0H1P. I

i in

JAN -7 1963

HARVARD
UNIVERSITY

PRINTED BY

JEAN M. NEIBARGER. STATE PRINTER

TOPEKA. KANSAS

1 962

29-3003

Introduction

This paper reports: (1) the number and sizes of farm ponds in
Douglas County, Kansas, in 1954, as determined by means of aerial
photographs, (2) additional information concerning these ponds
gained from questionnaires in 1955 and 1956, and (3) information
concerning species of fish and their growth-rates gained from sam-
pling of 22 ponds in 1956.

Methods

The number, sizes, and locations of all farm ponds in Douglas
County were ascertained in October, 1955, from aerial photographs
taken for the U. S. Soil Conservation Service on June 29, 1954, and
July 11, 1954.

In December, 1955, 100 of the 484 sections in Douglas County
were randomly chosen for canvassing of pond-owners by question-
naires. All owners of ponds in these 100 sections were sent one
questionnaire for each pond on their properties, plus an additional
questionnaire to be used in the event that a pond not noticed on
the aerial photographs was present. Questionnaires were accom-
panied by explanatory letters and stamped return-envelopes. In
February, 1956, questionnaires were sent again to owners who had
not responded previously.

From field studies of 22 ponds, the following data were obtained
from each pond: (1) size of pond, (2) average depth — random
measurements, (3) maximum depths, (4) turbidity — degree of
muddiness, and (5) species, sizes, and ages of principal fishes. A
Jackson turbidimeter was used for determining turbidities.

Samples of fishes were obtained from May 24, 1956, through
October 3, 1956, by means of: seines (12 feet x 4 feet x %-inch
mesh, 30 feet x 6 feet x %-inch mesh, and 100 feet x 8 feet x
1-inch mesh); wire traps (6 feet x 21/l> feet, 1-inch mesh); trot lines;
hoop nets (3 feet diameter, double-throated, l^-inch in fore-part
of net and 1-inch mesh behind second throat); Fyke nets (8-foot
wings, otherwise like hoop nets); gill nets (experimental and 150
feet x 6 feet x 1-inch mesh); and toxins (5 per cent rotenone).
Seines were used most often. Wire traps and trotlines were ineffec-
tive in all ponds studied. Hoop nets and Fyke nets were ineffective
in turbid ponds, but these nets and gill nets yielded larger samples
than seines in one large, clear pond. Rotenone was used in three
ponds with great effectiveness.

(3)

4 University of Kansas Publs., Mus. Nat. Hist.

Total lengths, weights, and scales or pectoral spines were taken
from fishes found in the 22 ponds. The scales and spines were
used for age-determinations by means of equipment like that de-
scribed by Van Oosten, Deason and Jobes (1934) and Leonard and
Sneed (1951).

Acknowledgments

The State Biological Survey of Kansas provided financial support for these
investigations.

We thank the following persons: Melvon H. Wertzberger, Roy J. Huhn,
and Leonard J. Kasky, U. S. Soil Conservation Service, Douglas County, Kan-
sas, for assistance in ascertaining the number and sizes of farm ponds; owners
of ponds, for their co-operation and keen interest in the project; George Harp,
Clarence Harms, James Deacon, W. Jackson Davis, Joseph Davis, and Claud
Ward (students of zoology at The University of Kansas), for assistance in
field work; Jane Davis, for preparation of Figure 1; Shirley Hastings, for proof-
reading and typing of the manuscript; and Professor E. Raymond Hall (Direc-
tor, State Biological Survey of Kansas ) for editorial suggestions that improved
the manuscript; Thomas H. Swearingen, Gene Pacheco, Francis A. Carmichael,
and Victor Hogg for illustrations and art work.

Number and Sizes of Farm Ponds

At the time aerial photographs were taken ( 1954 ) , there were
at least 1,316 ponds in Douglas County. According to Mr. Melvon
H. Wertzberger, U. S. Soil Conservation Service, Douglas County,
approximately 500 additional ponds were constructed between 1954
and 1960, resulting in an average of almost four ponds per square
mile in Douglas County in 1960. The distribution of the 1,316
ponds observed on aerial photographs is shown in Figure 1, and
the sizes of the ponds are shown in Table 1.

Responses to Questionnaires

Questionnaires (see sample below) were sent to owners of 273
ponds. Items 1 and 2 were filled in before the questionnaires were
mailed to the pond-owners. A total of 131 questionnaires (48.0
per cent) was returned (111 on first contact, 20 on second contact).
Of those returned, 116 applied to ponds observed on the photo-
graphs, 11 applied to ponds constructed after the photographs were
taken, and four applied to ponds outside the 100 sections selected
for sampling. The following paragraphs summarize findings from
the questionnaires.

There was a progressive but sporadic increase in the number of
ponds built per year in Douglas County from 1915 to 1954. It
was estimated that 329 ponds, one-fourth of all ponds in the county,
were built in 1953. Soil Conservation Service officials in Douglas

Farm Ponds in Douglas County

R.I7E

R.I8E

R.20E

EXPLANATION

A Loxrence
6 Eudoro
C Baldwin
D Lecompton
• Farm pond

R. ?IE

Figure 1. Distribution of Farm Ponds in Douglas County, Kansas,

July, 1954.

Table 1. Sizes of Farm Ponds in Douglas County, Kansas, Constructed
Prior to July 1, 1954, As Determined by Means of Aerial Photographs.

Size Range

(Acres)

Number
of ponds

Percent
of total

0-K

906

272

84

19

13

3

11

3

1

0

4

68.8

yA-y2

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1-114

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2

.8
2

2-2M

.1

2VA-2Y2

2^2-Over

.0
.3

Totals . . .

1,316

100.0

6 University of Kansas Publs., Mus. Nat. Hist.

POND QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Owner: Date:

2. Location of pond: Section , Township , Range.

3. When was dam built? When did pond fill?

4. Has pond ever gone dry? Been intentionally drained?.

5. Size of pond: Area (in acres) ; greatest depth

6. Water source ( check one or more ) : Surface drainage

stream , springs — . — — , other (If other, please

explain )

7. Size of drainage area: Total . ; acres in pasture ;

acres in woodland ; acres in cultivated fields

8. Are barn lots oi feed lots for cattle or hogs in drainage area?

9. Purpose of pond ( check one or more ) : Livestock water.

erosion control ; fishing ; swimming ; other.

10. Is pond fenced so that livestock cannot get into water?

11. Does pond have trickle-tube? ; vertical overflow pipe?.

surface spillway? ; drainpipe through base of dam?

12. Are plants growing in pond?

13. Has pond been fertilized?

14. Have fish been stocked? Kinds and number of fish stocked

( if known )

When stocked? . Where were fish obtained?

Are any kinds of fish present

other than kinds stocked? If so, what kinds?.

15. Are you interested in fish production in your pond? Which

are you more interested in : ( 1 ) fish for sport or ( 2 ) fish for food?

16. About how many times is the pond fished each year?.

17. Do you feel that your pond is producing satisfactory fishing?.

18. You may use the following space and the back of the questionnaire for
any remarks you care to make.

Farm Ponds in Douglas County 7

County believe this was due to the progressive increase in con-
struction of ponds and deferred building of ponds in 1951 and
1952, caused by floods in 1951.

Ponds built from 1952 through 1954 (dry years) held water
better than ponds built during previous (mostly wet) years. Of
72 ponds constructed in 1951 or before, 40 (55.6 per cent) dried
in the years 1952-1956. Of 50 ponds built after 1951, only nine
( 18.0 per cent ) dried. Probable reasons are that most ponds built
in recent years are deeper than those built prior to 1951, and older
ponds not only were less deep originally, but received much silta-
tion, especially in 1951, a year of exceedingly high runoff in this
area.

The average size of ponds, based on responses to questionnaires,
was larger than the average size ascertained from aerial photo-
graphs. This probably resulted from ( 1 ) responses based upon
maximum (spillway) levels, whereas most ponds were not full when
aerial photographs were taken; (2) overestimations of pond-sizes
by owners; and (3) a tendency of owners to return questionnaires
only for their larger ponds.

Surface-drainage was the only source of water for 80.0 per cent
of the ponds.

Permanent pastures comprised 75.2 per cent of the watersheds
of ponds. Cultivated lands covered most of the remaining area,
with woodlands insignificant. Piner (unpublished dissertation,
Kansas State College, 1952 ) also reported that pastures predominate
in watersheds of ponds in Riley County, Kansas.

One purpose in building 98.4 per cent of the ponds was the
provision of water for livestock; this was the only purpose listed
for 70 ponds (54.3 per cent). Fishing was listed as a purpose of
51 ponds (39.5 per cent), ranking second to provision of water for
livestock. Only one pond (0.8 per cent) was built solely for recrea-
tional purposes.

Few ( 5.5 per cent ) of the ponds were fenced to exclude livestock.
Later, it was learned that livestock actually had access to some
ponds listed as fenced.

Few ponds (18.5 per cent) had means of controlling overflow
except by surface spillways. Four per cent had vertical overflow
pipes, and 8.1 per cent drainpipes. Only eight ponds (7.5 per cent)
had been drained intentionally, chiefly ( perhaps all ) for reconstruc-
tion.

Approximately 16 per cent (15.9) of the ponds had been fer-
tilized, presumably to increase fish production.

8 University of Kansas Publs., Mus. Nat. Hist.

Eighteen per cent of the ponds contained rooted aquatic vege-
tation. Because aquatic plants usually grow only in clear waters,
it may be assumed that at least 18 per cent of the ponds were
clear. Although factors other than turbidity may prevent estab-
lishment of rooted vegetation in ponds, we suspect that disturbance
by livestock and excessive turbidity accounted for the scarcity of
aquatic plants in most of the remaining 82 per cent of the ponds.

Approximately one-half (49.6 per cent) of the ponds contained
fish. Sources of fish for stocking by pond-owners were ( 1 ) state
and federal fish hatcheries (36.0 per cent), (2) streams (18.0 per
cent), and (3) other ponds (46.0 per cent). The vernacular names
of fishes that were stocked, as listed by the pond-owners, were
bass, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, catfish, bullheads, river cats,
perch, sunfish, sunperch, minnows, carp, cat, mudcats, fish, and
rock bass. Locally, the names perch, sunfish, and sunperch refer
most often to the green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus). Five species
of catfish that grow large enough to interest anglers occur in streams
of Douglas County, but only two of these, black bullhead (Ictalurus
melas) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), occur commonly
in ponds. In responses to questionnaires, distinction was not made
between the two native bullheads (black bullhead and yellow bull-
head, Ictalurus natalis), or between the two species of crappie
(black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, and white crappie, Po-
moxis annularis). Eighteen stocking-combinations were found in
33 ponds for which the combinations could be ascertained.

Approximately three-fourths (77.6 per cent) of the pond-owners
were interested in producing fish in their ponds — 15.6 per cent for
sport, 46.6 per cent for food, and 37.8 per cent for both purposes.
Some owners of more than one pond were not interested in fish-
production in all of their ponds, and some wished to produce fish
for different purposes in different ponds.

The number of times ponds were fished each year varied from
zero ( six ponds ) to 100 times ( two ponds ) . The average was ap-
proximately 10 times.

Approximately one-third (34.4 per cent) of the ponds were pro-
ducing satisfactory fishing in the opinions of their owners.

Discussion of Ponds Sampled

Data on the 22 ponds sampled are shown in Table 2. In this
report, ponds with turbidities of 50 parts per million (p. p.m.) or
less are considered clear; those that exceed 50 p. p. in. are turbid.

Farm Ponds in Douglas County

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Fishes found most often were green sunfish and black bullhead
(each in 15 ponds). In eight ponds no other species were taken.
The ponds may be divided into two general groups — one in which
black bullhead and/or green sunfish predominated (14 ponds), and
another in which sport-fishes — bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) ,
large-mouthed bass (Microptenis sahnoides), and/or crappie — pre-
dominated (seven ponds). Channel catfish predominated in one
pond (Booth 11-A), which had been stocked solely with that
species approximately one year before the sample was obtained.
Although the samples from Booth U Pond and Booth M Pond were
not enumerated (Table 2), green sunfish predominated in the
former pond and white crappie in the latter. Black crappie ( found
in seven ponds) and white crappie (six ponds) are not differen-
tiated in the tables, because the species used in initial stocks were
unknown. In addition to species tabulated, the following were
found: carp, Cyprinus carpio; river carpsucker, Carpiodes carpio;
fat-headed minnow, Pimephales promelas; golden shiner, Notemi-
gonus crysoleacas; creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus; flathead,
Pylodictis olivaris; freshwater drum, Aplodinotas grunniens (each
in one pond); and orange-spotted sunfish, Lepomis humilis (2
ponds).

Relationships between initial stocks, sizes of ponds, depths, tur-
bidities, and predominate species are discussed below.

Initial Stocks
Most ponds were stocked with a combination of ( 1 ) largemouth,
bluegill (and/or crappie), and channel catfish, or (2) green sunfish
and black bullhead. The species stocked are indicated by asterisks
in Table 2. Bluegill, black crappie, and white crappie were not
distinguished in stocking records obtained from hatcheries that pro-
vided the stocks; often, all were found in samples. Owners of the
ponds added green sunfish and black bullhead to several ponds that
had been stocked with other species, and green sunfish and black
bullhead were found in ponds not known to have been stocked with
those species. Large-mouthed bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel
catfish were found only where they were known to have been

stocked.

Green sunfish or black bullhead predominated in nine of 15 ponds
in which one or both of those species were stocked, in four ponds
in which neither was stocked, and in one pond for which the kinds
of fish stocked are not known (total of 14 ponds). Bass, bluegill,

Farm Ponds in Douglas County 11

crappie, or channel catfish predominated in eight of 16 ponds
stocked with those species. Except for the fact that stocks com-
prised solely of black bullhead and green sunfish assured predom-
inance by those species, there was little correlation between species
of fish initially stocked and species that later predominated.

Size

The surface areas of the 22 ponds were as follows: V* acre or less,
nine ponds; % acre, five ponds; % to % acre, four ponds; one acre,
three ponds; and 4M: acres, one pond. Six ponds were full when
areas were ascertained. The remainder varied from 1.0 to 6.5 feet
below spillway levels.

Black bullhead and green sunfish predominated in 10 of 14 ponds
smaller than Vi acre, and in four of eight ponds with areas of Y> acre
or more. The correlation between size of pond and predominant
species was due in part to differences in initial stocks. Four of the
14 smallest ponds were stocked only with green sunfish and black
bullhead, whereas seven of the eight largest ponds were stocked
with additional species of fish. However, one of the smallest ponds
(Walburn Pond, Vvi acre) contained the most species (11) found.
Small pond-size seemingly does not limit the species of fish that a
pond will contain; nevertheless, species other than green sunfish and
black bullhead probably are rare in the smaller ponds of Douglas
County.

Depth

In sixteen ponds the average depth did not exceed 4.0 feet; none
had an average depth greater than 8.0 feet. In fourteen ponds the
maximum depth did not exceed 6.0 feet; none was deeper than
15.5 feet. Most ponds were not full when we measured their depths.
Converted to spillway levels (maximum possible depths — Table
2), six ponds were 6.0 feet deep or less; 11 ponds, 6.0 to 10.0
feet deep; and five ponds, more than 10.0 feet deep. Because of dry
weather, few of the ponds had maximum depths of eight to ten
feet, as recommended by Davison ( 1955 ) for this region.

Survival and reproduction of bass, bluegill, and crappie were
better in deep than in shallow ponds. Among ponds stocked with
those species, one or more of them persisted in nine of ten ponds
that had maximum possible depths of 8.0 to 20.5 feet (average 11.2
feet). The same species seemingly had disappeared from three of
five ponds that had maximum possible depths of approximately 4.0
to 8.0 feet ( average 5.2 feet ) . Larger numbers of crappie, bluegill.

Green Sunfish, X '3

Bluegill, X %

White Crappie, X %

Black Crappie, X %

Large-mouthed Bass, X /•*

Channel Catfish, X %

Black Bullhead, X %

^m

He

Yellow Bullhead, X %

14 University of Kansas Publs., Mus. Nat. Hist.

and bass were found in deep ponds that were low, as the result of
drought, than in deep ponds that remained full despite the drought.
The latter ponds received excessive runoff and were turbid.

Turbidity

Turbidities of the 22 ponds varied from less than 25 p. p. m.
( shown as 25 — in Table 2 ) to 525 p. p. m. Turbidities of 25 —
p. p. m. are not measurable by means of a Jackson turbidimeter.
The values listed in Table 2 are averages of one to four turbidity-
readings made in different months, except those in ponds where fish
populations were eradicated between dates of turbidity-readings.
Detwiler Pond had a turbidity of 525 p. p. m. in July, 1956, but
cleared after eradication of fish by means of rotenone (25 — p. p. m.
in August and September, 1956; 30 p. p. m. in October, 1956).
According to Mr. Detwiler, his pond had never been clear. The
turbidity of Walburn Pond dropped from 50 p. p. m. to 25 — p. p. m.
after fish were eradicated with rotenone in September, 1956. When
full, Walburn Pond usually is clear, except for algal blooms.

Nearly all ponds that had less than 100 p. p. m. of silt in suspen-
sion contained emergent or submerged aquatic plants, or both.
Exceptions were Booth 11-A Pond (recently constructed), Walburn
Pond ( extremely low when sampled, normally with algal blooms in
summer), and Fawl Pond. Among ponds with turbidities exceeding
100 p. p. m., only Gabriel Pond ( 115 p. p. m. ) had rooted vegetation.

Green sunfish and black bullhead predominated in most turbid
ponds, and crappie or bluegill predominated in most clear ponds.
Although large-mouthed bass and crappie predominated in the
turbid Riepen W Pond, it contained no bullhead or green sunfish
and only survivors from the initial stock were present; reproduction
had not occurred. Crappie and bluegill were abundant in Detwiler
Pond despite its exceptionally high turbidity (525 p. p.m.), but
these and all other fishes were stunted.

Turbidity seemed to be the best single indicator of the species
of fish to be expected in ponds of Douglas County. High turbidities
were caused by ( 1 ) shallow depth associated with wave-action and
use of the ponds by cattle; (2) small size, associated with use of
the ponds by cattle; and (3) excessive or poorly-vegetated water-
sheds. Any of these three factors may influence the kinds of fish
that a pond will support. Buck ( 1956 ) demonstrated that high
turbidity severely limits growth and reproduction of bluegill and
large-mouthed bass in ponds in Oklahoma. Numerous writers, in-
cluding Tiemeier (1954) and most contributors to a Symposium on

Farm Ponds in Douglas County 15

Farm Fish Ponds and Management held by the Wildlife Society
(Jour. Wildlife Management 16:233-288, 1952), have stressed the
importance of relatively large size, deep water, exclusion of livestock,
and well-vegetated watersheds to the production of satisfactory fish
populations in farm ponds.

Discussion of Species Found

In the following discussion, the survival and abundance of each
principal species of fish is compared in turbid and clear ponds.
Fourteen of the ponds were turbid and eight were clear. Growth
rates of each species are shown in Table 3. Each pond that con-
tained fish of a certain age contributed equally to the average length
listed for that species and age in Table 3, regardless of the number
of fish taken. Sizes listed under each age are averages for the
ponds, not averages for all the fish obtained in samples.

Large-mouthed bass. Bass were found in three of seven turbid
ponds that had been stocked with that species. In one of these
( Riepen W, 125 p. p. m. ) eight bass of the original stock were the
only bass taken. In the other two ponds (Anderson, 145 p. p. m.,
and Detwiler, 525 p. p.m.), one bass and three bass, respectively,
were taken in samples. When all fish were eradicated from the
Detwiler Pond (area % acre), eight bass weighing a total of 7.16
pounds were found.

Bass were found in all six clear ponds stocked with that species.
Three of these (Booth M, Butell, Sportsmen's) produced satisfactory
fishing for bass.

Bass grew more rapidly in clear than turbid ponds (Table 3)
despite their greater abundance in clear ponds. The maximum age
attained was six years.

Bluegill. Bluegill were found in three of five turbid ponds that
had been stocked with bluegill. Only one bluegill was taken in
Gabriel Pond (115 p. p.m.), and one in Anderson Pond (145
p. p.m.). The Detwiler Pond (525 p. p. m. ) contained numerous
small bluegill, but only three of usable size (total weight 0.75
pound) were obtained when all fish were eradicated. Bluegill did
not predominate in any turbid pond.

Bluegill were found in all five clear ponds stocked with that
species. Samples indicated that each of these had more bluegill
than did any of the turbid ponds. Bluegill predominated in one
pond (Holloway, 25 — p. p.m.). All but one pond that contained
bluegill also contained crappie, and most contained green sunfish.

The growth-rate of bluegill was better in clear ponds than in

16

University of Kansas Publs., Mus. Nat. Hist.

Table 3. Ages and Sizes of Fishes From 22 Ponds in Douglas County,
Kansas, in 1956. Numbers With Decimals Represent the Average Total
Lengths in Inches at Each Age (1-6). Numbers in Parentheses, Below
Each Average Length, Indicate the Number of Fish and the Number of
Ponds on Which the Average Length Is Based.

Age in Years

Large-mouthed Bass
Clear ponds

Turbid ponds .

Bluegill

Clear ponds .

Turbid ponds .

Black Crappie
Clear ponds .

Turbid ponds.

White Crappie
Clear ponds .

Turbid ponds.

Channel Catfish
Clear ponds .

Turbid ponds .

Green Sunfish
Clear ponds . .

Turbid ponds.

Black Bullhead
Clear ponds . .

Turbid ponds .

2.7
(2,1)

2.3
(13,1)

1.3

(1,1)

6.3

(14,3)

4.5

(40,3)
2.9

(7,2)

6.2
(30,3)

5.4

(31,4)

8.4

(28,2)

3.7

(17,4)
3.4

(32,4)

6.0

(45,5)

11.6

(2,1)

4.9

(15,2)
4.2

(3,2)

10.3

(4,1)

5.0

(15,1)

6.5

(33,5)

9.8
(1,1)

3.9

(14,4)
3.9

(33,7)

11.9

(1,1)

6.2

(90,9)

11.8

(3,2)
11.0

(3,2)

5.6

(8,2)
5.4

(9,1)

8.1
(8,4)

9.0
(3,1)

7.5

(28,3)

13.0

(3,2)

5.3

(13,4)

5.1

(16,2)

10.3

(1,1)
7.5

(38,10)

6.2
(4,1)

8.1

(1,1)
8.2

(3,1)

6.9

(12,1)
11.8

(1,1)

13.1

(3,1)
12.2

(1,1)

5.7

(6,2)

5.0

(4,1)

8.3

(7,4)

11.6

(8,1)

6.3

(2,1)

6.9

(4,1)

13.9

(4,1)

20.9

(1,1)

6.5

(5,5)

12.5

(3,1)
10.3

(7,3)

17.7

(1,1)

6.1

(1,1)

16.9

(6,2)

12.6

(3,1)

9.4

(1,1)

turbid ones (Table 3), but was not fast enough to provide good
fishing in any pond. One-year-old bluegill were found most often.
The maximum age was six years.

Black crappie. Black crappie occurred in two of four turbid
ponds that had been stocked with crappie. Species were not desig-
nated in stocking-records. Three black crappie, each three years

Farm Ponds in Douglas County 17

old (average length 9.0 inches), were found in Gabriel Pond (115
p. p.m.). Black crappie predominated in Detwiler Pond ( 525
p. p. m. ) ; however, only six of usable size ( total weight 2.08 pounds )
were found in that pond when all fish were eradicated.

Black crappie occurred in five of six clear ponds that had been
stocked with crappie. They predominated and grew most rapidly
in Butell Pond (45 p. p. m. ). The average lengths in October were:
one-year-old, 7.0 inches, and two-year-old, 10.3 inches. Butell Pond
and Gabriel Pond were the only ponds containing black crappie that
did not also contain white crappie and/or green sunfish. The other
species present in Butell Pond — large-mouthed bass and bluegill —
also grew faster than in any other pond. Butell Pond was probably
the best of three ponds, among the 22 that were sampled, which
offered satisfactory fishing.

Two- and three-year-old black crappie were most numerous in
our samples. The maximum age was four years.

White crappie. White crappie occurred in one of four turbid
ponds that were stocked with crappie (species not designated).
In Riepen W Pond (125 p. p. m. ), one crappie, four years old and
11.8 inches long, was taken.

White crappie occurred in five of six clear ponds stocked with
crappie, and were predominant in three. They exceeded the black
crappie in abundance where the two species were found together.
White crappie grew more slowly than black crappie (Table 3), and
few white crappie more than seven inches in length were taken.

One- and two-year-old white crappie were taken most often. The
maximum age was five years.

Channel catfish. Channel catfish were found in three of six
turbid ponds that had been stocked with that species. One was
obtained from Gabriel Pond ( 115 p. p. m. ), three from Kerns S Pond
(375 p. p. m. ), and four from D. Beeghley Pond (98 p. p. m. ) where
fish were eradicated and a complete count was attempted.

Channel catfish were found in five of eight clear ponds stocked
with that species. In one of these (Walburn, 50 p. p. m. ), 14 chan-
nel catfish were found when fish were eradicated. Walburn Pond
has been stocked several times with channel catfish from a nearby
creek. Their growth-rates, which influence averages listed in Table
3, reflect growths made in the creek as well as in the pond. Twenty-
four channel catfish were taken from Booth 11- A Pond, which had
been stocked with 150 fingerling catfish approximately one year
previously. Thirty-six young-of-the-year channel catfish were taken

18 University of Kansas Publs., Mus. Nat. Hist.

in samples from Booth SW Pond. Booth SW Pond was the only
pond in which reproduction of channel catfish was known to have
occurred. The pond was stocked in 1954 with three channel catfish
(six to seven pounds per fish). In May, 1956, spawning in a 55-
gallon metal drum was observed.

Our evidence on growth-rates of channel catfish in clear and
turbid ponds is inconclusive. Davis (1959) found that this species
grew faster in clear impoundments than in muddy ones in Kansas.
The oldest individual obtained of this species was six years old.

Green sunfish. The green sunfish was found in all four turbid
ponds stocked with that species and in five turbid ponds where it
was not known to have been stocked. It predominated or shared
dominance with the black bullhead in six turbid ponds.

The green sunfish was found in all three clear ponds stocked with
that species and in three others not known to have been stocked.
It predominated in two clear ponds ( Booth U and Booth SW ) .
Growth of green sunfish ( Table 3 ) was better in clear than in turbid
ponds and was better in ponds that contained large-mouthed bass
and crappie than in ponds lacking those species. The largest green
sunfish (8.3 inches, five years old) was taken from a turbid pond
(Kerns SW, 423 p. p. m., Vn acre). Most green sunfish in that pond
were less than four inches long. Few green sunfish of usable size
were found in any of the ponds.

Most green sunfish in samples were one or two years old; the
maximum age was five years.

Black bullhead. The black bullhead was found in 13 of the 14
turbid ponds; it had been stocked in only nine of these ponds. It
was the predominant species, or shared dominance with green sun-
fish, in seven turbid ponds. Few black bullhead of usable size were
found in any of the turbid ponds. None of the turbid ponds pro-
duced satisfactory bullhead-fishing. One bullhead of usable size
(8.5 inches) was found in D. Beeghley Pond when fish were eradi-
cated, and six of usable size ( total weight 2.23 pounds ) were found
in Detwiler Pond when its fish were eradicated.

Black bullhead were found in two clear ponds, but predominated
in neither. Growth was faster in clear ponds than in turbid ones
(Table 3), and Sportsmen's Pond contained enough large bullheads
to produce satisfactory fishing for that species.

The average size of four-year-old black bullhead ( all ponds ) was
8.3 inches and .25 pound. Five- and six-year-old bullhead were
large enough to be used as food, but few were found. Two- and

Farm Ponds in Douglas County 19

three-year-old bullhead were taken most often. The maximum age
was six years.

Standing Crops of Fish

Standing crops (the number of pounds of fish that a body of
water contains) were estimated after eradication of fishes from D.
Beeghley Pond and Walburn Pond, and after seining of Kerns SW
Pond. The three ponds were low when standing crops were ascer-
tained, and had been low for several months. Although below spill-
way levels, D. Beeghley Pond (2.5 feet low) and Walburn Pond
(6.5 feet low) had little reduction in surface areas. Kerns SW Pond
(5.5 feet low) was reduced to approximately one-half of its normal
area.

In D. Beeghley Pond (area % acre, turbidity 93 p. p. in.), 142.60
pounds of fish were found (equivalent to 428 pounds per acre).
Four channel catfish, each six years old and approximately 20 inches
long, contributed 10.90 pounds to the total. Black bullhead (564)
weighed 69.70 pounds, but only one (8.5 inches) was of usable
size. Green sunfish (1521) weighed 62.00 pounds; none was of
usable size (largest 5.9 inches). No other species was present,
although the pond had been stocked with large-mouthed bass,
bluegill, and crappie six years previously.

In Walburn Pond (Vvi acre, turbidity 50 p. p. in.), 238 fish weigh-
ing 33.36 pounds were picked up after eradication (equivalent to
400 pounds per acre). Of the 11 species found, nine channel cat-
fish, one flathead, one black crappie, one freshwater drum, and
one carp were of usable size.

In Kerns SW Pond (Vn acre, turbidity 423 p. p.m.), intensive
seining yielded 37.17 pounds of fish (equivalent to 409 pounds per
acre). Probably one-third to one-half of the original population
remained in the pond. All but two of the 828 fish seined were green
sunfish, of which one ( 8.3 inches ) was of usable size. One bullhead,
14.0 inches long, and one creek chub were the only other fishes
found.

Standing crops in pounds per acre do not seem to differ greatly
between clear and turbid ponds, but as stated previously, the kinds
of fish present and their growth-rates do differ greatly in relation
to turbidity.

Summary

Of 1,316 farm ponds in Douglas County, Kansas (in 1954), 89.5
per cent were /2 acre or less in size. Only 2.6 per cent of the ponds
had a surface area exceeding one acre.

20 University of Kansas Publs., Mus. Nat. Hist.

A high degree of expressed interest in fish-production in farm
ponds of Douglas County had not resulted in equivalent use of the
ponds for that purpose. Only one-half of the ponds had been
stocked and few of those that had been stocked were fished often.
Only three of 22 ponds that were sampled provided satisfactory
fishing.

Few farm ponds possessed the necessary requirements for suc-
cessful management of diversified sport-fish populations: one acre
or more in size; eight feet or more in depth; low turbidity ( less than
50 p. p. m. ) associated with stabilized watersheds of the proper
size; proper initial stocks of fish; proper drainage facilities for
ponds; and fences to exclude livestock from ponds.

In a majority of ponds, the fish stocked by pond-owners were
obtained from streams or other ponds rather than from state or
federal hatcheries, and the fish stocked included kinds not recom-
mended as pond-fish by conservation agencies.

High turbidity of water in farm ponds seemed to be the most
important factor limiting the growth of most species of fish and the
survival of sport-fishes.

The green sunfish or the black bullhead predominated in a ma-
jority of the ponds that were sampled.

Recommendations

1. Additional research is needed to determine what species of
food-fishes and bait-fishes would be suitable for the typical small,
turbid pond of Douglas County. When food-fishes are the chief
wants of pond-owners, the raising of "rough" fish such as small-
mouthed buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus, should be attempted. A much
greater yield ( Hendricks, 1956 ) might be realized with that species
than with species now being stocked, and surplus crops might be
sold. Channel catfish can be grown in small ponds. In recent ex-
periments conducted by the State Biological Survey, ponds stocked
exclusively with channel catfish have had annual productions of 100
to 2,000 pounds per acre. High productions were obtained by means
of supplemental feeding and fertilization in ponds only Mo-acre
in area.

2. Pond-owners whose ponds meet the requirements mentioned
below, and who are interested in the production of sport-fishes,
should obtain the advice of state or federal fishery biologists con-
cerning the management of fish-populations in ponds. Stocks of
fish should be those recommended by state or federal conservation
agencies.

Farm Ponds in Douglas County 21

3. In order to provide satisfactory sport-fishing, farm ponds
should meet the following requirements: (1) one acre or more in
size; (2) eight feet (preferably 10 feet) or more in maximum depth;
(3) drainage facilities; (4) fences to exclude livestock from the
water; (5) permanently-grassed watersheds of sufficient size to
assure adequate, but not excessive, runoff into the pond.

Literature Cited

Buck, D. H.

1956. Effects of turbidity on fish and fishing. Oklahoma Fish. Res. Lab.,
Report No. 56, 62 pp.

Davis, Jackson

1959. Management of channel catfish in Kansas. Univ. Kansas Misc.
Pnbl. No. 21, 56 pp.

Davison, Verne E.

1955. Managing farm fishponds for bass and blnegills. U. S. Dept. Agr.
Farmer's Bull. No. 2094, 18 pp.

Hendricks, Lawrence J.

1956. Growth of the smallmouth buffalo in carp ponds. Prog. Fish-Cult.,
18 (l):45-46.

Leonard, E. M., and K. E. Sneed

1951. Instrument to cut catfish spines for age and growth determinations.
Prog. Fish-Cult., 13:232.

Tiemeier, Otto W.

1954. Construction and management of Kansas ponds. Kansas Forestry,
Fish and Game Comm. Bull. No. 9, 36 pp.

Van Oosten, J., J. J. Deason, and F. W. Jobes

1934. A microprojection machine designed for the studv of fish scales.
Jour, du Conseil 9 (2):241-248.

Transmitted March 15, 1962.

□

29-3003

University of Kansas Museum of Natural History, Miscellaneous Publications

Institutional libraries interested in publications exchange may obtain this
series from the Exchange Librarian, The University of Kansas, Lawrence,
Kansas.

Requests of individuals are handled instead by the Museum of Natural
History, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. There is no provision
for sale of this series either by the Library or the Museum. However, when
individuals request copies from the Museum, the amount indicated below
should be included for the purpose of defraying some of the costs of
producing.

Nos. 6, 12, 17, and 27 obtainable only from the Arctic Institute.

*1. The Museum of Natural History, the University of Kansas. By E. R. Hall and Ann

Murray. Pp. 1-16, illustrated. January 5, 1946.
*2. Handbook of Amphibians and Reptiles of Kansas. By Hobart M. Smith Pp

1-336, 233 figures in text. September 12, 1950.
*3. In Memoriam, Charles Dean Bunker, 1870-1948. By E. Raymond Hall. Pp. 1-11,

1 figure in text. December 15, 1951.
*4. The University of Kansas, Natural History Reservation. By Henry S. Fitch Pn

1-38, 4 plates, 3 figures in text. February 20, 1952.
*5. Prairie Chickens of Kansas. By Maurice F. Baker. Pp. 1-68, 4 plates, 15 figures

in text. March 10, 1953.

6. The Barren Ground Caribou of Keewatin. By Francis Harper. Pp. 1-163, 28
figures. October 21, 1955. Copies, paper bound, $1.50 postpaid from the Arctic
Institute of North America, 1530 P Street NVV, Washington 5, D. C.

7. Handbook of Mammals of Kansas. By E. Raymond Hall. Pp. 1-303 illustrated
December 13, 1955. Paper bound, $1.50 postpaid (cloth $4.00).

8. Mammals of Northern Alaska, on the Arctic Slope. By James W. Bee and E. Ray-
mond Hall. Pp. 1-309, Frontispiece colored, 4 plates, 127 figures in text. March
10, 1956. Paper bound $1.00 postpaid.

9. Handbook of Amphibians and Reptiles of Kansas. 2nd [revised] edition By
Hobart M. Smith. Pp. 1-356, 253 figures in text. April 20, 1956. Paper bound
$1.50 postpaid (cloth $4.00).

*10. The Raccoon in Kansas. By Howard J. Stains. Pp. 1-76, 4 plates, 14 fieures in
text. July 6, 1956.

11. The Tree Squirrels of Kansas. By Robert L. Packard. Pp. 1-67, 2 plates 10 fie-
ures in text. August 20, 1956.

12. The Mammals of Keewatin. By Francis Harper. Pp. 1-94, 6 plates, 8 figures in
text, 1 map. October 26, 1956. Copies, paper bound, 75 cents postpaid from the
Arctic Institute of North America, 1530 P Street NW, Washington 5, D. C.

*13. Museum of Natural History . . . University of Kansas. By Roy R. Moore and

E. R. Hall. Pp. 1-8, illustrated. June 1, 1957.
14. Vernacular Names for North American Mammals North of Mexico. By E. Raymond

Hall, Sydney Anderson, J. Knox Jones, Jr., and Robert L. Packard. Pp. 1-16.

June 19. 1957. P

*15. The Ecology of Bobwhites in South-central Kansas. By Thane S. Robinson. Pp.

1-84, 2 plates, 11 figures in text. September 6, 1957.

16. Natural History of the Prairie Dog in Kansas. By Ronald E. Smith. Pp. 1-36,
4 plates, 9 figures in text. June 17, 1958.

17. Birds of the Ungava Peninsula. By Francis Harper. Pp. 1-171, 6 plates, 26 maps.
October 15, 1958. Paper bound, $2.00 postpaid from the Arctic Institute of North
America, 1530 P Street NW, Washington 5, D. C.

18. Furbearers in Kansas: A Guide to Trapping. By Howard J. Stains and Rollin H.
Baker. Pp. 1-100, illustrated. November 19, 1958. Paper bound, 50 cents post-
paid.

*19. Museum of Natural History . . . University of Kansas. By Roy R. Moore
and E. R. Hall. Pp. 1-8, illustrated. May 29, 1959.

20. Handbook of Gastropods in Kansas. By A. Bvron Leonard. Pp. 1-224, 11 plates,
87 figures in text. November 2, 1959. Paper bound, $1.00 (cloth $2.00) postpaid.

21. Management of Channel Catfish in Kansas. By Jackson Davis. Pp. 1-56, 8 figures
in text. November 2, 1959.

22. Hand-list of the Birds of Kansas. By Richard F. Johnston. Pp. 1-6. May 7, 1960.

23. Directory to the Bird-life of Kansas. Bv Richard F. Johnston. Pp. 1-69, 1 figure.
August 31, 1960.

24. Museum of Natural History . . . University of Kansas. Bv Roy R. Moore
and E. R. Hall. Pp. 1-8, illustrated. October 19, 1960.

25. Guide to the Panorama of North American Mammals. By E. Raymond Hall et al.
Pp. 1-32, illustrated. December 15, 1960. Paper bound, 50 cents postpaid.

26. Beaver in Kansas. By F. Robert Henderson. Pp. 1-85, illustrated. December
16, 1960.

27. Land and Fresh-water Mammals of the Ungava Peninsula. By Francis Harper.
Pp. 1-178, 8 plates, 3 figures, 45 maps. August 11, 1961. Paper bound, $2.00
postpaid from the Arctic Institute of North America, 1530 P Street NW, Washing-
ton 5, D. C.

28. Handbook of Unionid Mussels in Kansas. By Harold D. Murray and A. Byron
Leonard. Pp. 1-184, 45 plates, 42 figures in text. May 10, 1962. Paper bound,
$1.00 (cloth $2.00) postpaid.

29. Farm Ponds in Douglas County, Kansas. Bv Claude E. Hastings and Frank B.
Cross. Pp. 1-21. May 17, 1962.

* Out of print.

2044 093 361 574