If you have a backyard pond, soon it will be time to close the pond for the winter. Taking a few steps this fall will insure the survival of your fish through even the coldest of winters. Close the pond during October, at the latest by Halloween.

Begin by cleaning out all leaves and debris using a net. If there is a lot of sludge on the pond bottom, you may even want to do a complete cleaning. To reduce the number of leaves that accumulate in your pond, consider covering it with specially designed netting as soon as the leaves begin to fall. Cut all perennial water plants, such as lilies or cattails, off level with their pots. Remove all annual plants. The goal is to diminish the amount of organic material over wintering at the bottom of the pond. As the material decomposes, it emits ammonia and other toxic gases that build up in the water and can kill fish.

Disconnect all waterfalls or fountain spray heads from your pumping system. If you're using an ultraviolet sterilizing system to prevent micro algae, remove it and store indoors. Freezing temperatures can damage the light tube.

While the pumps should run all winter, the water should not be sprayed because it will freeze. One particular problem with waterfalls is that the water will thaw and freeze, eventually toppling your natural rock configuration and perhaps damaging the pond liner.

The water running through the pump should be bubbling out of a tube 6 to 8 inches above the water level. The water movement helps prevent freezing and adds oxygen to the water.

During the coldest weather, the pond may freeze. As long as there is at least a six-inch in diameter unfrozen spot, enough oxygen will enter the water to keep the fish alive. Special floating pond heaters that keep a 12-inch circle of open water when temperatures are very low, are also options.

If your pond surface freezes solid the fish may suffocate. If it is frozen over, do not attempt to break the ice. Hammering on the surface ice sends shock waves down through the water. The intensity is similar to an electrical shock and can kill hibernating fish. Do not pour hot water on the ice surface. The quantity required to do the melt may mean adding enough chlorine to the pond to further stress the fish. Instead, use a hot water bottle to thaw out a hole in the ice.

From July through September, you should have been giving your fish plenty of food. This is the time of year when they build up their reserves for their winter "sleep". As the days shorten, begin to check pond water temperature. When it falls below 50 degrees at night, it is time to stop feeding the fish. At this temperature, fish become dormant and do not eat. Fish are cold-blooded and spend the winter suspended at the bottom of the pond. They are very lethargic and hardly move. Their metabolism and breathing have nearly shut down. This is their kind of hibernation and is natural. It's also what keeps them alive through the Kentuckiana winter season.

Take time to properly close the pond, and you'll find your reward next spring. As temperatures rise, the pond will come to life once again. And you'll find your finny friends are still alive and well!