Protecting Fish Ponds from Wildlife Damage

Tips for Protecting your fish from raccoons

• Don't waste your time with repellents, lights, sounds (audible or not) or odors.
• Use native fish whenever possible as they are harder for raccoons to see.
• Grow Sedum or other spongy type plant around as much of the pond as possible. This plant makes it difficult for the raccoon to feel he has a secure place to stand on and can disrupt his balance as he reaches to scoop fish.
• Install deeper ponds to provide more security as they are less likely for a raccoon to wade in. However, the surface of the pond needs to be balanced with depth so that the fish obtain sufficient oxygen.
• Provide underwater structure so that the fish have more places to hide if the raccoon misses on the first pass.