How to Build a Trout Farm

Fish farms consist of one or multiple ponds which are stocked with trout and harvested for personal use or profit. This type of farming is also referred to as fish culture. Fish farming requires an investment of land, water and upkeep to maintain a healthy fish environment. Trout can be stocked in the pond at any stage of development.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • Measuring tape
  • Wooden stakes
  • String
  • Backhoe
  • Grass seed
  • Gravel
  • Hose or plastic piping
  • Cow manure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Walk your property and determine a few locations where you may want your trout farm. Look for areas with a gentle slope above flooding levels. Grab a handful of soil and squeeze it in the palm of your hand. Throw the resulting ball into the air and catch it. Eliminate any areas where the soil ball fell apart easily.

    • 2

      Dig a small, waist-deep hole in each of the areas you're still considering. Fill the holes with water and allow them to sit for approximately 12 hours. Fill each hole again and cover them with boards or leafy branches. Allow the water to sit overnight. Eliminate any holes where the majority of the water is not present.

    • 3

      Measure an area that is 26 m by 26 m. Mark all of the corners with wooden stakes and run string around the stakes to outline the area. Use a backhoe to remove the trees, bushes, grass and stumps from the marked area. Remove 20 cm of topsoil from the marked area and reserve it for later use.

    • 4

      Measure an area 20 m by 20 m inside the larger area. Mark the corners with stakes and string.

    • 5

      Measure an area that is 17 m by 18 m inside the intermediate area. Mark the corners with stakes and string. This is the central area.

    • 6

      Dig in the central area with a backhoe or shovel. Dig the highest point of the area 60 cm deep. Increase the depth gradually to 90 cm in the lowest point. Place the excavated dirt between the large and intermediate area. Pack down the piles with a shovel when they reach knee level.

    • 7

      Use the backhoe or shovel to dig along all edges so that the large area created in Step 4 slopes gently downward to the bottom of the central area. Spread the topsoil that was put aside in Step 3 along the outer edges of the large area. Spread grass seed in the topsoil and water it according to the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure growth.

    • 8

      Dig a ditch in the bottom of the pond 50 cm wide and 20 cm deep for drainage.

    • 9

      Cover the bottom of the pond with a layer of gravel approximately 2 inches deep using the backhoe. Spread evenly over the bottom.

    • 10

      Fill the pond with water using a hose or plastic pipe.

    • 11

      Add 102 kg of cow manure to the water in your pond each week. Allow the pond to sit until the water becomes green. Put your arm in the water up to your elbow. The water is ready when you can barely see your fingertips.

    • 12

      Add trout as desired.