Ponds should be limed during the late fall or winter, especially if a pond fertilization program is begun the following spring. If low alkalinity ponds are fertilized before being limed, much of the phosphorus may be lost to the bottom muds. Therefore, the effort and expense of fertilization could be wasted. However, lime should not be added to a pond which has been recently fertilized as it tends to remove phosphorus from the water. Ponds can be limed with liquid lime, basic slag, or agricultural limestone.
Agricultural limestone is usually the best choice.
Agricultural limestone should be ground fine enough to pass through a 10 mesh sieve. Small particles will dissolve more readily in water. A sieve analysis may be required to determine particle size and assign the lime an efficiency rating. The amount of lime required per surface acre of pond is determined by analyzing pond mud samples. Mud samples can be collected from existing ponds using a boat and an 8-oz.