Seasonal care calendar
February pond care in Pennsylvania
Late winter is the last quiet stretch before stocking and weed season. Get the paperwork and the tests done now.
- Permit timing
Stocking fish this spring? File PFBC's free Notice of Stocking before stocking any pond; keep a copy on site; no pet-store fish.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: 58 Pa. Code § 71a.5, Notice of Stocking to the Commission This may be outdated
- Care
Barley straw needs no permit (PFBC); it prevents algae rather than killing it. Penn State says it works best when applied between fall and early spring, before algae appear, and can take several weeks to start working in cold water.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Pond Management (FAQ: How can I control algae?) This may be outdated
Source: Barley Straw for Algae Control
- Care
Test your pond water. Penn State recommends routine testing to document problems and track changes, and to help choose any treatment; its lab offers pond water testing.
Source: Winter Pond Inspection Checklist; Five Tips for a Healthy Pond
- Care
Watch the water level. Most ponds lose a little to seepage and evaporation; Penn State says losses well beyond that may mean a leak, often visible as a wet area outside the pond.
Source: Winter Pond Inspection Checklist; Fixing a Leaking Pond
- Safety
Late-winter ice can weaken fast as it thaws and refreezes. Never assume pond ice is safe; stay off clear ice under 4 inches; aerated ponds have open water.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Ice Fishing: ice safety tips This may be outdated
Source: Farm Pond Safety
- Permit timing
Lake boards: put this year's permit lead times on the calendar. Drawdowns: Over 1 acre (or with another state permit): PFBC drawdown permit, 30+ days ahead, no fee. Digging: Digging with machines? Notify PA One Call (811) 3 to 10 business days ahead, homeowners included.
Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Sources: Apply to Draw Off Water from Impoundments; PA One Call: Homeowner FAQs; PA Act 287 as amended This may be outdated
This calendar repeats every year. Permit reminders show the date we last checked the rule.
The Seasonal Pond Letter
Free, four times a year: mid-February, May 1, mid-August and November 1: what to do and file before each season. Sign up.