Fee fishing ponds are usually operated seasonally. Most operations are open daily from early morning until dark during spring, summer, and fall. Many operators reduce hours or days of operation during colder months. Hours should be specific and clearly stated on signs and in advertisements, and posted in a conspicuous location at the facility. Family operations Pay lake operations tend to be family operated and provide supplemental rather than primary income.
Many pay lakes are part of diversified farm operations.
Few pay lake operators have formal training in aquiculture or business. Consequently, many pay lakes are managed inefficiently. Few operators keep accurate records of costs or income. Keeping accurate records of stocking densities, time of stocking, catch rates and customer needs would give the novice operator a definite marketing advantage over most established operations. Marketing through fee fishing requires a willingness to deal with the public and to work long hours, often seven days a week.