Hydrilla has been present over a majority of the pond bottom since 1999 with periodic herbicide applications used for control. Although an abundance of aquatic plants such as hydrilla provide habitat for small organisms, it also makes foraging more difficult. This may be a factor in declining average weights of bluegill noted recently.
Fluctuating water levels in this pond in recent years have impacted bass reproduction and caused a decline in the number of fish found there. Dense hydrilla coverage has also affected the fish population. However, water withdrawals have stopped and unless there is a drought, the water level should remain stable. The 2003 and 2004 year classes of largemouth bass were fairly strong and should soon yield big increases in the number of fish over 15 inches. Recently growth has been below the state average but stable water levels should help this situation. A 2007 stocking of 400 largemouth bass fingerlings also should improve the bass population here. Bluegill abundance is moderate but growth slightly below average for Delaware ponds. Bluegill from ages 1 to 5 were observed and had a fairly wide size range (3 to 8 inches). Black crappie have declined in abundance and few pumpkinseed sunfish were noted. As noted above, the water level of this pond drops substantially during very dry summers and occasionally makes the boat ramp unusable.