Building a Duck Pond.

[Shrimp Claw]

I am building a duck pond about fifty yards from any houses in the middle of a corn field outside of Independence. There are several other natural depressions, (smaller then the one I'm building) a few hundred yards away that always have ducks in them, sometimes hundreds. This whole area ranges from fifty yards to about 3/4 of a mile from the willamette. I will be able to regulate the depth of the pond by pumping water from a slough near by. Im planning on making the pond about two feet deep and about 40x40 yards. I recently read ducks will not come to a new piece of water like this. Last year was my first year hunting and I actually got to shoot a few.
My questoin is since this is a new pond will ducks will ducks come to it? What should I plant in it? and is there anything else I should do or advice for me?

Thanks

[D3smartie]

are you going to hunt it? if not, the quickest way to get ducks into your pond would be to dump a bunch of corn in there... it can provide good hunting too

I would look at a crop like barley or, if you want low maint. try some *** millet, or smart weed...

hell dont even bother planting anything other than the corn. Just leave some standing in the depression and then flood it. that will bring in some birds

[Jeremy]

I will be the first one to add my name to the list for a chance to hunt it in an exchange to a trip out to the private ponds we hunt if you are interested and i can get permission to bring you along (shouldnt be a problem). Do you have water rights to the slough? I would leave it unplanted the first year and see what happens if nothing shows up try planting it each year until you find something that works, sounds like you are in a good spot so "If you build it they will come"

[Clamman]

Check with your local ODFW distric biologist there might be permits necessary to build a pond that you are mentioning.


clam

[Bendman]

Maybe I shouldn reply because I live on the dry side and things are probably a little different but... If it were me I would make it 6-8' deep leave an island in the middle with a shallow shelf around it and some cat tails planted. Fill it full of large mouth and blue gills.

[wapiteaser]

I would definitely check on permits. The State requires permits for any fill or removal of dirt, rock, etc.. Seed some Barley and Millet around the pond or close to it. Wherever you can get some seed in the ground. The birds will feed the field and rest on your pond. Be sure to put some built in blinds and an Island or resting area in the middle of the pond. Sounds like you are going to be having some quality hunting next year. Good luck.

[HOOKUP]

If you have access to irrigation just flood as much of the corn stubble as possible. If you can leave some standing corn. If you have unlimited water add water as needed and dont do anything as far as building a pond, its not necassary.