How to Get the Biggest Fish Out of the Pond

Careful preparation, proper equipment and gentle handling are key to harvesting a fishpond. Collecting and removing the biggest fish as quickly as possible is important to avoid loss of fish while harvesting. Using seine nets is the most common method of pond harvesting. To use a net, you will need at least two people to help pull the net and collect the fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Seine net
  • Lead lines
  • Assistant(s)
  • Fish hand nets
  • Transport tanks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a time when the weather is cool to harvest the fish. Water temperatures of 60 degrees to 65 degrees Fahrenheit are best; in warmer weather --- when water temperatures are 80 degrees or higher --- harvest fish in the cool early morning hours.

    • 2

      Partially drain the pond. Draining 20 percent to 30 percent of the water from the pond will help concentrate fish for harvest.

    • 3

      Use a seine net made of nylon or polyethylene twine. Mesh comes in 3/4-, 1-, 1 3/8-, 1 5/8-, 1 3/4- and 2-inch sizes. They are gauged to catch fish by size in pounds, the largest mesh is for fish up to 2 lbs. Mesh size should be no smaller than that needed to catch the minimum fish size desired. Smaller mesh sizes create greater water resistance and are harder to pull. The length of the net should be 1 1/2-times wider than the widest section of the pond and 1 1/2-times longer than the deepest part.

    • 4

      Stretch the net across the width of the pond, beginning at the deepest end.

    • 5

      Pull the net with lead lines from both sides of the pond and slowly drag it down the length of the pond. You will need help to pull the net; the number of helpers will depend on the size of the pond and net. Pull the net through the entire length of the pond, which causes less damage to fish.

    • 6

      Advance the net slowly to ensure the float line doesn't go under the surface of the water.

    • 7

      Pull seine lines directly onto shore at the far end of the pond.

    • 8

      Bring the remainder of the net in by hand to form a basket to concentrate the fish.

    • 9

      Remove the biggest fish with hand nets and place them immediately in transport tanks. Let the smaller fish go back into the pond. It is essential that fish get to their destination as soon as possible after removal from the pond. If fish are to be held for more than a few minutes, they should be moved to deeper water and held in a live-car or cage.