For anyone venturing into commercial fish farming, selecting the right location for your fish pond is not just important, it is critical for success.
A well-located pond can increase productivity, ease management, reduce costs, and safeguard the fish stock.
On the other hand, a poorly chosen site can lead to recurring losses, high maintenance, and devastating challenges like predation and water contamination.
Sam Kasule, a fish farmer based in Semuto, Nakaseke district, knows this lesson all too well.
Kasule had initially established his fish pond in a low-lying area near a thicket, thinking the water availability was ideal.
“I thought the constant supply of water was a blessing, but I didn’t consider the wild animals.”
Within months, he started losing fish to snakes, monitor lizards, and even birds.
“I would wake up to see dead or missing fish, and at times even footprints of animals around the pond,” he recalls.
Kasule’s biggest mistake was placing the pond near bushy, unprotected surroundings without fencing or clearance.
“I spent more money trying to secure the area than I had budgeted for,” he adds.
Eventually, he plans to relocate the entire project to a cleared, elevated area with better drainage and fewer predators.
Aisha Lubwama, another fish farmer from Matugga, is reaping the benefits of a well-considered pond location.
Lubwama did extensive research before constructing her fish ponds.
“I first sought advice from extension workers. They helped me test the soil type, water retention capacity, and slope,” she says.
Her ponds are located on slightly sloped land, which allows for controlled water flow and easy drainage.
“Because of proper planning, I rarely lose fish, and my maintenance costs are manageable,” Lubwama adds.
Experts recommend that an ideal pond site should have clayey soil (to retain water), be slightly elevated to prevent flooding, and have easy access to clean water. It should also be away from trees, which drop leaves and debris, and must be secured to keep out predators.
