Fish have been disappearing, one by one; with never a trace. Finally got a look at the theif, caught him in the act. Happened to be awake at 1:30 am; looked out back at the fish pond; just in time to see a very large Owl jump into the pond. He was up to his belly in water, and hopping around. I firghtened him by opening the door; he apread his massive wings and flew away...20 mins later either it or another was back in the pond again...Happened 3 times befor I finally retired for the night....Lost another fish!!! Only have 4 remaining; they will be gone within a few day's. I like to watch & listen to the owl's, and would never injure one, but some of these pond fish cost $6.00 to $10.00 each.. Hell, I don't eat that good!!! How can I put an end to his freebies, without putting an end to him???

-- Bill in BlueGrass (bamos@aol.com), May 06, 2002

Answers

My cousin built a wood framed farm fencing wire cover to put over the pond every night to keep the predators out at night. Just forgotten for one night, the racoons would wipe out the entire fish population.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@somewhere.com), May 06, 2002.

You COULD try using something to scare away the bliters but I'm afraid that things being what they are and owls being a protected species the only answer to your problem is "Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up". Had the same problem with a red tailed hawk going after my chickens. Aint gonna say how I solved it though because even the walls have ears if ya know what I mean.

Cheers

-- Joe Longshaw (luddite@positech.net), May 06, 2002.

Do you have places that the fish can hide under, somewhere they are out of sight and can seek shelter.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), May 06, 2002.

I would suggest stringing fishing line over the pond in a grid-like manner too deter them. Make sure that the line is very secure and tight, as you might otherwise harm the owl(s). You don't want them to get tangled in the line. Their sight is very good and they should detect the fishing line and avoid the pond all together. Otherwise, bouncing off the line one time should be enough to scare them away. It might not be the most sightly thing, but you should be able to save your fish.

-- jon (jon@aol.com), May 06, 2002.

Bill, at my wife's pond I placed someuprights, pieces of rebar, and strung fishing line between them, then I hung some old CDs, like the ones that AOL are constantly sending, from the fishline. They swing in the breeze and seem to work. The whole thing can be removed in a matter of minutes if you just want to enjoy the pond, and replaced when going in for the night. This works on my garden also, good luck. IronMike@hisurfer.net

-- Mike Nelson (IronMike@HiSurfer.net), May 06, 2002.

B in BB(I like that! LOL). You didn't say what species of fish you have, or how deep your pond is. While doing our research a few years ago before we had our pond dug we ask Fih & Wildlife and The County Extension service about how deep it should be to protect the fish. They suggested minimum depth of 3 ft. and deeper. And as mentioned above lots of rocks,tree tops, hollow logs and other cover for the fish. We had the pond dug out to a minimum of the 3 ft. and greatest depth to 6 ft. We have Catfish, some goldfish(a mistake!) and Blue Gill. They are a healthy and vigorous population and all you do drop a bare hook and bam! Dinner! LOL As far as I know they just keep multiplying which leads me to believe that all the visits from Osprey, Heron etc haven't bothered them. Just some thoughts. Could your pond be too shallow? LQ

-- Little Quacker in OR (carouselxing@juno.com), May 06, 2002.