Wintertime Concerns

How Do I Winterize My Pond?

Introduction

Proper winterization protects your pond, fish, and equipment—and prevents costly spring repairs.

Step 1: Clean the Pond

• Remove leaves and debris

• Trim dead plant material

• Vacuum excessive sludge

This prevents harmful gas buildup under ice as the debris breaks down throughout the winter months.

Netting the pond in the early fall and performing a sludge-out service in the fall is a great way to get ahead of this work before the temperatures get very low.

Step 2: Protect Your Fish

• Stop feeding when water temps drop below 50°F

• Ensure at least one ice‑free opening

• Maintain oxygen exchange

Fish enter a dormant state and require minimal disturbance.

Step 3: Pumps & Equipment

Depending on pond depth:

• Deep ponds may keep pumps running depending on the setup

• Shallow ponds often require pump removal

• Clean and store pumps properly

Fountains and external plumbing must be winterized to avoid freeze damage.

• Ensure water is not trapped in pipes or plumbing using vacuum or compressed air.

• Some features require syphon breaks to occur to prevent back flow issues once disconnected.

• Be sure to have a good understanding of your pond layout prior to disconnecting any element that may be attached to a bottom drain.

Step 4: Install a De‑Icer or Aerator

This keeps a hole in the ice for gas exchange—never break ice manually.

A De-icer is not a water heater! they simply heat the surrounding surface of the pond to keep a hole in ice to allow oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange to escape.

Aerator best practice: Move aerator to an upper shelf during the winter. This will prevent a thermocline disruption on deeper ponds which in extreme cases can cause super chilling of the pond’s deeper temperature.

Professional Winterization

A professional winter shutdown ensures your pond survives winter safely.