How do I prepare to close my garden pond with goldfish for the winter?

Wendy Parker
by Wendy Parker

so I know that they're okay? First time ever having to do this

  6 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Oct 14, 2018

    Talk to a landscape pond co.

  • Barbara Baldwin Barbara Baldwin on Oct 14, 2018

    Probably not much. Depends on the severity of your winter. I let my little 18 inch deep pond freeze over with the fish in it. No problem for the fish. They won't want to eat. They use their fins and tail to keep a water "balloon" around them.

    • Wendy Parker Wendy Parker on Oct 15, 2018

      Omg ty so much been so worried about them. There so big and beautiful wouldn't want to lose them

  • Bijous Bijous on Oct 14, 2018

    Hi. If you have severe winters purchase a pond heater. Don't run the pumps during a hard freeze. That should do it.

  • Alexis Alexis on Oct 15, 2018

    I have a large pond that contains about a dozen goldfish. My pond expert told me there is no need to do anything. During the winter, the fish actually "hibernate" along with the frogs. They burrow down in the mud. We had an unusually cold and snowy winter two years ago here in ID, and I was worried they would not survive. Once spring came and the pond thawed out, all of the fish reappeared much to our amazement!

  • Susan Susan on Oct 16, 2018

    You do not say where you live. Check the frost line for your area. In my part of Kansas it is 24". A pond expert said as long as there is a area of the pond that is 24" deep the fish will be ok. Our pond was hand dug and lined with pond liner. We made sure one side was 24" or deeper. The fish go to this area and are safe. Hope this helps. Check with your county extension office for advice.