Frequently Asked Questions
Find straightforward answers about PondStat memberships, multiple ponds, fish-data entry, fisheries calculations, account access and technical support.
Start with a topic
Browse the categories below for help using PondStat, managing your membership, tracking pond data, customization, and understanding your results.
New to PondStat? Begin with Getting Started, then review Ponds & Data Entry before recording your first catch.
Accounts, access and membership
Start here if you are new to PondStat or need help understanding accounts, professional access, billing and renewals.
Getting Started
What is PondStat?
PondStat is a pond-management platform that helps users record fish and pond information, perform fisheries calculations, generate graphs and organize data for clearer management decisions.
Who is PondStat designed for?
PondStat is designed for private pond owners, landowners, pond-management companies, fisheries professionals and others who want a more organized way to monitor fish populations and pond data.
How do I begin using PondStat?
Begin by purchasing a PondStat membership and creating your account. After signing in, set up your pond and begin entering fish measurements and other requested information.
View PondStat membershipCan my pond-management company access my account?
Yes. PondStat can provide authorized access for your pond-management professional or management company. Contact us at [email protected] for assistance.
For security, do not send your personal password or share your login credentials by email.
Where can I learn how to use the platform?
The PondStat Manual provides instructions for setting up your account, entering information and working with available platform features.
Membership & Billing
Does my PondStat membership renew automatically?
Yes. PondStat memberships automatically renew at the end of each billing period unless canceled before the renewal date. The payment method associated with your membership will be charged for the renewal.
How do I cancel automatic renewal?
Cancel through the available account-management options or email [email protected] before your next renewal date. Unless otherwise stated, you will retain access through the end of your current paid billing period.
Are membership payments refundable?
Membership payments and renewal charges are non-refundable except where a refund is required by law. Canceling prevents future renewal charges but does not create a partial refund for the current billing period.
Can I track more than one pond?
Yes. PondStat can be configured to track multiple ponds separately. Contact [email protected] for current multiple-pond options and pricing.
What happens if my renewal payment fails?
PondStat or its payment processor may retry the payment. Access to paid features may be limited or suspended until the outstanding payment is successfully completed.
From field measurements to useful insight
Learn what information to record, how PondStat calculates fish condition and how reports can help reveal patterns within your pond.
Ponds & Data Entry
What fish information should I record?
The essential information includes the fish species, total length, actual weight and sample or catch date. Accurate measurements give PondStat better information for calculating fish condition and identifying trends.
Do I need to record every fish I catch?
The short answer is yes. The more data collected the better PondStat can track the health of your fishery. This is the biggest problem with pond management and one of the reasons why PondStat was developed. If recording every fish is not practical, use a consistent sampling approach and avoid entering only unusually large or small fish.
Can PondStat track multiple fish species?
Yes. PondStat currently supports 12 commonly managed gamefish and panfish species. Multiple species can be analyzed together to help users examine possible predator, prey and competitive relationships.
View supported speciesCan I track information beyond fish measurements?
Yes. PondStat includes inputs for additional pond-management conditions and activities, including predator- and forage-fish stocking, water quality, weather, pond fertilization and weed growth. Available fields may change as the platform develops.
Can I keep the data for each pond separate?
Yes. Multiple-pond configurations allow individual ponds to be tracked separately. Contact [email protected] for current options and pricing.
What units should I use for length and weight?
Use the units you are most comfortable with but make sure you are accurate in your measurements. PondStat has both English and Metric units available and units can be switched after logging. For example, biologists generally measure in millimeters and grams, where most pond owners will most likely measure in English units of inches and pounds. If your biologist enters data in metric and you want to look at it in English, just choose the units when looking at the data.
Calculations & Reports
What is Standard Weight?
Standard Weight is a species-specific benchmark used to estimate the expected weight of a fish at a given length. PondStat uses published Standard Weight equations for its supported species.
Explore the fisheries mathWhat is Relative Weight?
Relative Weight compares a fish’s measured weight with the Standard Weight expected for a fish of the same species and length. It helps indicate how an individual fish or group compares with the applicable reference condition.
Which Standard Weight equations does PondStat use?
PondStat uses accepted, published species-specific equations listed on the Fisheries Math page, including their source references and applicable minimum lengths.
Review Standard Weight informationCan PondStat add a custom Standard Weight equation?
Custom-equation requests are reviewed individually. Contact [email protected] with the species, equation, units and supporting source information. Submission of a request does not guarantee that the equation will be added.
PondStat can also develop custom pond-specific equations for those owners who have created a true trophy pond that returns Relative Weight values consistently over 1.5. Contact [email protected] for more information.
What can PondStat graphs help me understand?
Graphs can help reveal differences among fish-length groups, changes in average Relative Weight across sampling dates and possible relationships among multiple species. Long-term, consistently collected data generally provides the most useful context.
Will PondStat tell me exactly how to fix my pond?
No. PondStat helps organize information and identify patterns, but a graph or calculation may not reveal the underlying cause of a pond problem. Site-specific management decisions may require an assessment by a qualified fisheries or pond-management professional.
Customization
Built around the way you work.
Explore custom features, branded reports, additional fish species, and pond-specific equations for your business or research needs.
Discuss Your ProjectWill PondStat build custom features for the pond industry and researchers?
Yes. We welcome custom projects for pond-management companies, fisheries professionals, and researchers. Contact us to arrange a conference call so we can understand your requirements and discuss the scope and next steps.
What types of custom work can you do?
Custom work can include backend features such as adding your company masthead to reports, as well as website features such as providing a link for customers to access their PondStat accounts through your website.
If you have an idea, tell us about it. We can discuss what is possible and how it could fit your workflow.
Can you add fish species that aren't in your current database?
Yes, provided an accepted Standard Weight equation for the species is available in the published literature. Contact us with the species you would like to add and any supporting reference you have.
Can you develop a custom Standard Weight equation based on the fish in my lake or pond?
Yes. We can work with you to develop a pond-specific equation based on fish data from your lake or pond. The equation would be intended for that waterbody only; we would not vouch for its suitability for use in other lakes or ponds.
How much does custom work cost?
Pricing depends on the scope and complexity of the request. Contact us to discuss your needs so we can review the project and provide pricing.
Your data, account, and technical help
Learn how PondStat handles your information, what happens when an account is deleted and how to get help when something is not working correctly.
Privacy & Technical Support
Who owns the pond and fish data I enter?
You retain ownership of the original pond records, fish measurements, environmental information and other user input data you submit to PondStat. PondStat receives only the permission necessary to store and process that information to provide, maintain and improve the platform.
Does PondStat sell or share my pond data?
PondStat does not currently sell, license or share users’ operational pond data or de-identified pond datasets with universities, researchers, industry groups or other outside organizations.
Information may still be processed by service providers that help operate PondStat, subject to appropriate privacy and security requirements.
Does PondStat use de-identified data?
PondStat may use aggregated or de-identified information internally to evaluate calculations, improve features and understand platform performance. This information is processed so that it does not reasonably identify an individual user.
How does PondStat protect account information?
PondStat uses reasonable administrative, technical and organizational safeguards intended to protect personal information. No website, database or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Use a strong, unique password and do not share your login credentials with another person.
How do I request deletion of my account?
Send an account-deletion request from the email address associated with your account to [email protected]. PondStat may need to verify your identity before completing the request.
Personal information and associated pond data will be deleted, except for records PondStat must retain to meet legal, accounting, security or dispute obligations. Previously aggregated or properly de-identified information may be retained.
What should I do if I forget my password?
Use the password-reset option on the PondStat login screen. If you do not receive the reset email, check your spam or junk folder and confirm that you entered the email address associated with your account.
If the problem continues, contact [email protected].
What should I do if someone accessed my account?
Change your password immediately and contact [email protected]. Include the email address associated with your account and a description of the activity you do not recognize.
Never send your password or full payment-card details by email.
What should I include in a support request?
Include the email address associated with your account, the page or feature involved, what you expected to happen and what occurred instead. Screenshots and the exact wording of any error message can help the PondStat team investigate.
Do not include your password, complete payment-card number or other unnecessary sensitive information.
Where can I read PondStat’s legal policies?
Your pond is telling a story. Start tracking it.
Turn every catch into useful fishery information. PondStat handles the calculations and organizes the results so you can follow your pond’s progress with greater clarity and confidence.
One Pond
per year for one pond