In addition, poor conditions may not exist uniformly throughout the pond. So, the result may be that the larger fish, such as bass, die, leaving the smaller, immature fish in the pond. This creates conditions further unbalancing the pond population very quickly. Preventing Winter kill Pond design is important to preventing winter kill. In Indiana, ponds should be at least eight feet deep over at least 25 per cent of the pond area.
Greater depths are even better.
If, however, an eight foot depth isn't possible, a six foot depth over at least half the pond is an alternative. Removing snow cover from at least 50 per cent of the pond surface may help. But, unless the ice is thick enough to hold a person or small tractor, this can be very dangerous. Chopping holes in the ice won't help. Summer kill The most common cause of summer fish die-offs is the same as winter kill oxygen depletion.