My view from the airline window was spectacular in its simplicity. Farms stretched from horizon to horizon, forming a patchwork quilt of colors and textures. Houses and out buildings were strategically placed near roads that formed boundaries and connected one area with another. Most of all, I was impressed by the number of small bodies of water scattered across the landscape. Visitors driving across the country have no idea how many potential fishing spots lie just out of sight of the road.
The farmers probably considered their ponds as water for livestock or irrigation, and a water source in case of fire, but I saw them as potential fishing spots. When my trip was over, I contacted the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a list of ponds in my area. Gaining access and learning to effectively fish farm ponds is the most profitable thing I’ve done to increase my fishing enjoyment. Farm ponds are largemouth bass factories, and many offer chances to catch a trophy-size bass since fishing pressure may be light or even nonexistent.
Each pond has its own characteristics, ranging from an acre or two to 100 acres or more. Some are like wash basins, nearly devoid of features that anglers seek as fish-holding structure, while others have many underwater features. Ponds generally are scooped from fertile farmland by a bulldozer or are created by damming a small creek to fill a natural depression. In both instances, run-off from surrounding croplands periodically stains the pond, and its level can vary drastically during periods of heavy rain or drought.
Ponds usually contain a mixture of fish species. Typically, they’re initially stocked with largemouth bass, bluegills, and channel catfish. Other species—carp, bullheads, shiners, crappies, and sunfish—may be introduced into the pond by floods or by additional stockings. Visitors may dump fish remaining in a minnow bucket after a day’s fishing, or an owner wishing to catch other species may import them from a reservoir.
Pond fishing offers several advantages. It’s one of the few remaining places where an angler can enjoy solitude while fishing, because most farm ponds receive little fishing pressure. A pond provides the opportunity to take the family and introduce kids to fishing in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s an excellent place for children to cut their fishing teeth on bluegills and catfish. Plus, ponds may provide the best largemouth bass fishing in your area.
Pond Bass
Largemouth bass thrive in ponds that have clear to moderately stained water during most of the year and a moderate amount of aquatic vegetation. Features like creek channels, points, flooded trees, stumps, weedbeds, weedy or brushy shorelines, overhanging willows, and cattails, attract and hold bass.
Because farm ponds and other small bodies of water warm rapidly in spring, bass fishing begins earlier than on lakes and reservoirs. Small bays or channels on the north side of the pond attract largemouths as water temperatures rise in spring. Bass nose into shallow areas to warm themselves and to feed on small fish searching for insects and zooplankton.
