If
you determined that the best course of action is to start over, you need
to select a method to remove the fish from your pond. One possibility is
to drain, dry and refill. If this is not possible, the only alternative
is rotenone, a chemical used to remove unwanted fish populations from
lakes and ponds. Rotenone is a natural chemical from the root of the
tropical derris plant. A synthetic version may also be purchased.
Rotenone is distributed in the water as a powder or liquid. When fish
are exposed to rotenone, their red blood cells lose the ability to
deliver oxygen to the fish’s tissues. The fish die because they are no
longer able to make use of the oxygen in the water around them. Rotenone
breaks down into nontoxic chemicals in a few days or weeks depending on
the water temperature.
Rotenone
is a restricted use pesticide and, while it is relatively safe, it does
pose some risk to livestock (particularly swine) drinking the pond water
and to humans applying the chemical. Applicators of restricted use
pesticides must have a special license to purchase and apply this class
of chemicals. It is also important to remember that treated water
escaping from the pond can have very detrimental effects on wild fish
and other animals downstream. Pond or lake owners considering the use of
rotenone should contact their state wildlife authority (in Arkansas:
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission) before purchasing or applying
rotenone. State wildlife
specialists can help you to use the chemical legally, effectively and
safely.
Information
on Rotenone Application
