It looks like I will probably have to put a net of some kind over my (as yet unbuilt) pond to protect the fish from predators. I don't know anything about nets and how they are used. For instance, are there different mesh nets one could choose from, and how would one choose? And how are they attached at the sides of the pond. Would one build a kind of skeletal structure over the pond to place the net over? Could the net be removed easily to clean the pond? And speaking of cleaning, would a net be "bogged down" if a lot of leaves fell on it? Should I be considering something stiff like chicken wire?

Thanks for any ideas you can share.

I don't net my big pond. I made it straight sided and deep so predators would have a very difficult time trying to get sushi out of my pond.

I've seen nets used in many different ways. From frames to gazebos with netting to draping it across the pond and holding on the edges with rocks.

For myself if I had to net a pond I would want the netting held high above the pond with some kind of frame with an area at the end that I could get under the net too so as to be able to enjoy the fish without having to look through a net.

If the net is held securely enough the leaves are not a problem unless you had major leaf fall. If so make sure your net is easy to remove when covered with leaves to be able to shake them off.

My pond has a net that is about 5 inches above the pond.... It is cheap garden netting from lowes that was 6 bucks for a huge roll. To me I do not think it detracts from the fish cause it is black and blends in nicely...But when I want it off all I do is lift it up and pull back.

On my pond we have a black net cut to size and secured with gardent prongs. We have a couple of holes for the filter and a plant. We get leaves on the net, which I just remove. My mums partner has his net raised slightly above he pond because the ground isvery hard. I have seen gazebo type coverings in my area, which look quite nice. It depends on what predators you are trying to keep away, if it is a ground pred. then I would secure your net on the ground, if it is birds you can raise the net, or just use long strands of string, as the bigger birds will not be able to land, I know someone who has done that successfully here to keep herons away.
Its up to you really, whatever you deem safe enoughto protect your fish. How deep are you planning your pond? If there are enough hiding spaces they should be ok.

Would it be practical to cut the net to the exact inside dimensions of the pond, epoxy a number of tennis balls to the net, say every 4 or 5 feet, and thus have a floating, supported net that was "liftable" for leaf removal. To minimize drifting, it could be tethered at NSEW points.

Oliver

I guess that would work on larger ponds, but I am unsure as to whether land preds. would be able to get under? (its late here, my brain isnt working fully!)
We use a tennis ball during the wainter to stop the pond completly freezine, we had -8C last week, not that cold!
Its a good idea, it would be easier to life the net, we have to take the prongs out first, and all our plastic ones have broke now due to the cold. we have new metal ones to put in.

I'm not sure how that tennis ball prevents the pond from completely freezing, although I do believe a ball does provide a "collapsible item" to absorb the pressure from the ice and help prevent it (ice pressure) from cracking the pond retaining walls.

Oliver

(I have just re read my post from last night, boy was I half asleep!)
I dont know, just when it was freezing last week and I looked out, the pond hadnt completely froozen, and its always been like that. Maybe it is the reason that you stated, since it is a plastic in ground pond.

Folks have such creative ideas here. I like the idea of tennis balls, that could possibly work in some kind of arrangement. I also wish I could have some kind of frame structure over the pond that could be covered with plastic in the winter, and netting in the other months.

My pond will not be deeper than 2 feet, per local codes. I intend to place some chimney flues in the middle of the pond (idea from GardenGirl in another thread) so the fish can go and hide in there, away from the sides of the pond.

I am most worried about feral cats, which I have seen around here showing particular interest in the visitors at the bird feeders.

I would be afraid of something like a heron just stepping into the pond and sinking the netting and still going fishing. I've heard of them doing it on a tight net that wasn't very high above the pond..just speared them through the net.

Are you in a cold zone? I'd plan on bringing the fish in in winter or figuring on heating the pond. MA always seems like it should be a cold state

The chimney flues can help, but what fish are you willing to sacrifice if it doesn't? If it's only the cats they would work for the fish as they won't get into the pond.

The depth of the pond and winter temperatures have been a big concern, especially with the restriction on depth here. In winter, we did intend to put in a heater and bubbler in to keep a hole open, and also probably a solar plastic cover over it. Our temperatures are usually around 10 degrees at night, though we've even had on very rare occasion -12 degrees. Daytime we hover around freezing. We are on the edge of zone 5 near zone 6. My friends in Maine consider it "down south."

If I end up having 4 fish, I would need a huge tank to put them in during the winter, which might not be practical - though in truth, I would enjoy having them there. Another factor is that I hope to get frogs in the pond, so I would want to "winterize" it for them so they can hibernate effectively.

On the predators, I have also read about electrical wires around ponds to keep predators away. Herons - I don't know if they'd come back in my yard because it's so terraced and treed. I never get crows back there, so big birds seem to stay away. But there's always a first time, I know. I do not want to lose any of my fish, if that is possible! I hope to have a big bag of tricks to use on the various predators, so all comments, suggestions and things to think about are very welcome.

make some kind of greenhouse type structure over it in winter and with the heater you probably wouldn't need much else. I do not heat my pond, but have a greenhouse over it and it keeps the temps in the upper 30's to low 40's all winter. The pond is already up to 53.
Make sure you put a bypass in any water feature you may use so you can shut of off in winter. Those are heat robbers.

Best thing for predators is deep and straight sides. Don't have plant shelves as it only gives a predator a place to fish from.

Not sure where the frogs are going to hibernate? They generally burrow into mud and you don't want mud in your pond. As with a tank a clean bottom is healthy for the fish.

Were you planning on just goldfish?

I'm planning for a goldfish pond. Koi are so huge, I don't think they'd even fit in my back yard!

I already have the steep sides on my list. I have followed a lot of your posts, Mary, and I suspect I got that one from you already, along with ideas on your greenhouse - very impressive! I am really thinking the greenhouse idea will save me, in this cold area.

As for frogs hibernating, I have read that one can put a kitty-litter pan in the bottom of the pond at year end, with - I'm not exactly sure what - and then remove it during spring cleanout. If it includes mud I would probably bake it for a few hours first - I would be worried about harboring bacteria in there. I would have to find out a lot more on this, for sure. I have actually had what I've called an "imitation pond" in the back yard for the past 2 years - a small depression with plastic that I had for the birds to drink from. One day during a water change I actually did have a frog in there, so I suspect they will come.

lol if you have water and plants there will be all kinds of froggies! I had a tank in the greenhouse that housed lilies over the winter last year..and well..they never got taken out last summer. So this tank was chock full of lilies and floaty plants and I dropped a heater in last fall and covered it with insulation. Everytime I went to take a peek in there this winter there were always frogs diving for cover.

Nothing more classically cute than a frog on a lily pad!