In addition to addressing dangerous erosion issues, the shoreline should be examined for woody vegetation and invasive plants like Phragmites australis, both of which should be physically removed to prevent further destabilization and potential damage to stormwater equipment. Native buffer species should be trimmed and the clippings should be removed from the site. Likewise, falling leaves, grass clippings, and other fall materials should be cleared to ensure they do not enter the water, decay, and create harmful water quality imbalances that could encourage algae growth come spring. Plant matter is also known to clog stormwater equipment and floating fountains.

That brings us to aeration. If your lake or pond has a fountain, now is the perfect time to schedule an ‘oil and seals’ service, which should be performed every three years. For those who live in colder climates, you may desire removal and winter storage for your fountain. If so, this should be completed by early December. In slightly warmer climates, fountains and submersed aeration systems can be left in the water to reduce ice formation and prevent stratification (the distinct layering of water temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels), which can cause fish kills. And new solutions like Oxygen Saturation Technology can also prevent fish kills by introducing necessary oxygen to anoxic layers of the water without causing thermal stratification.

While most sport fishing tends to subside as temperatures decline, angling activities do not have to end. Autumn provides the perfect backdrop to stock rainbow trout, which thrive all fall and winter. To do this successfully, it’s important to ensure water temperatures have consistently reached below 70 degrees. Once introduced to your waterbody, trout will thrive over the next few months until temperatures rise back up in the spring.

Stocking a lake in the fall is one of the easiest things owners can do to create some fish diversity and to add excitement to their fishing experience. Trout are especially fun to fish and can transform a community pond from just an aesthetic feature to an exciting meeting place for adults and children alike.

Though year-round annual management is an important part of pond ownership, fall is a great time to implement a variety of techniques and strategies that aren’t always feasible during the warmer months. It’s also a time to consider your goals for the following year and begin the planning required to achieve them. Your professional lake manager can help you throughout the process and ensure you are on the right track to maximize your budget and the enjoyment of your waterbody for years to come.