Pond and Lake Management
At AMS Outdoor Solutions, we deliver expert pond and lake management to keep your water features healthy, vibrant, and weed-free. Led by Mac Watson II, who holds a B.S. in Fisheries Management and has over 50 years of experience with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, we offer tailored solutions for all your water management needs. Explore our services below to discover how we can help you maintain a balanced and thriving aquatic environment.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
Fish Population Balance Inspections: Analysis of largemouth bass / bluegill population to determine "balance" is performed during the summer months using seines to evaluate both bass and bream reproduction and the possible presence of competitive fish species or overcrowding within the population. Once the analysis has been made, management recommendations will be made to improve the quality of fishing in the pond.
WEED IDENTIFICATION
&
TREATMENT
When considering the best management plan for aquatic weed control in your pond, you must first have the nuisance aquatic weed species properly identified. A.M.S can provide either management recommendations to the pond owner or provide direct application of EPA approved aquatic herbicides or the stocking of triploid grass carp / tilapia to provide control. In many cases, a combination of aquatic herbicides and grass carp / tilapia will offer the best approach to long term management of aquatic vegetation and algae. Aquatic weed control may also include recommendations to alter water depths in the pond, pond liming, pond dye, or fertilization programs.
POND DYE APPLICATION
Pond dyes are commonly used to help control noxious aquatic weeds and algae in water over three feet deep, though they are not effective for floating weed species. They are also popular for enhancing the appearance of ponds, available in blue or black.
Blue dyes typically treat three acre-feet of water, while black dyes treat up to six acre-feet.
The goal is to darken the water until objects 24 inches below the surface are no longer visible, often requiring a double application.
Dye should be added as needed and applied from several shoreline spots or the pond center, lasting up to three months. There are no water use restrictions, and dyed water will not stain yards, animals, or swimmers, though the concentrate can stain skin and clothing.
GRASS CARP STOCKING
Triploid grass carp have been legal in South Carolina since 1983 for the biological control of aquatic weed species in ponds and lagoons. Normal recommended grass carp stocking rates will range from 5-20 fish/surface acre. Stocking rate is dependent on the amount of aquatic plant biomass in your pond.
TILAPIA STOCKING
Tilapia aureus, commonly known as Blue Tilapia, are an excellent biological control for filamentous algae and duckweed, as well as a forage fish for largemouth bass. Used in South Carolina for over 30 years, they require a free permit from the SC Department of Natural Resources, available through DNR or permitted aquaculturists.
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As a warm-water species, tilapia die when water temperatures drop below 52°F, decomposing at the pond bottom without noticeable odor during the winter. Tilapias are normally stocked at rates ranging from 100-300 fish/surface acres depending on the size of the fish and the amount of algae/duckweed infestation in the pond.
​Fish are available for stocking from April 1st to June 1st for best results in controlling filamentous algae and duckweed. Tilapia will spawn about every 30 days from May-October.
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Since tilapias are heavy spawners, they provide an excellent sized fish for largemouth bass forage. Stocking rates for forage stockings are similar to the stocking rates for filamentous algae and duckweed control.