AgriLife Extension program to explore strategies to promote desired, remove undesired fish species
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present a webinar, “Fish Management Strategies and Removing Unwanted Fish Species from Your Pond,” on April 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. The event is a component of the agency’s AquaExtension programming.
The cost is $35, and registration is required at tx.ag/FishManagementStrategies2026. Following registration, an email will be sent with instructions to access the webinar. All registrants will receive a link to the recorded webinar, available for one month, even if they cannot attend live.
The event’s speaker is Todd Sink, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist and director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory, Bryan-College Station.
Sink said there is a common misconception that fish populations will self-regulate after a pond is stocked.
“In reality, stocking is only a fraction of the work — management of the existing fishery requires ongoing and consistent effort to ensure your specific fishery goals are met,” he said.
Sink said the removal of a single undesired fish species is also more difficult and costly than initially assumed.
Fish management topics covered
The webinar will explore fish management strategies and options for a variety of scenarios, including maximum fish harvest, and trophy bass, bluegill/sunfish, catfish and black crappie management options.
Population reduction methods for unwanted fish species will also be discussed.
“Complete eradication of any single species is nearly impossible once it is in your pond, but we will discuss a few ‘nuclear’ management options available to eradicate an undesired fish species,” Sink said.
Webinar package available for 2026
This webinar is supported by the pond management company Texas Fishing LLC and is part of a 10-month expert series that provides pond owners and managers with up-to-date, scientific information related to maintaining pond health and productivity.
A 2026 Aquatic Webinar Series Bundle is available for $280 for individuals who would like to register for all webinars throughout the year. The bundle also includes recordings of the previous 2026 webinars. Purchase the webinar bundle at tx.ag/WebinarBundle26.
For more information, contact Brittany Chesser, AgriLife Extension aquatic vegetation program specialist and lead diagnostic scientist at the Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory, Bryan-College Station, at brittany.chesser@ag.tamu.edu.
