Winterizing Your Koi Pond

Fall is here, and winter is around the corner.  If you have a Koi pond, now is the time to begin preparations to ensure that the pond and fish remain healthy all winter long.

There are two ways to approach pond care in the winter.

First, you can let the pond freeze and allow the Koi to live under the layer of ice.  If you elect to do this, you should make sure that the pond is at least three feet deep, and that the pond never entirely covers in ice.  (The fish still need a fresh air supply in the water.)  Additionally, you should make sure that the fish are receiving plenty of nutrient dense foods right now to help them survive through the winter.

A second, and more popular, method of wintering Koi ponds is heating the water.  Pond heaters are relatively inexpensive, and can keep the pond water at a stable temperature.  Heaters can be set at varying temperature degrees.  Some recent studies have shown that ponds that ‘mimic’ a mild winter actually have healthier Koi in the spring.

If your pond is unheated, consider calling a landscaping professional to have a heater installed.  The size of your pond, the area of the country you are in, and the number of fish and other species will determine the best heating strategy.  Preparing now for even a mild winter will allow you to enjoy your fish pond in the spring.