About Santiam Valley Ranch

Brought to you by Santiam Valley Ranch, P. O. Box 1210, Turner, OR 97392
503-743-2931, Visitors By Appointment

We are located approximately 5 miles east of I-5, just south of Salem. 35 acres of our 140-acre farm are devoted to fish rearing, wildlife and waterfowl. We also raise sheep for meat, wool and other direct sales of locker lamb. In addition, Santiam Valley Ranch sells rights for duck and goose hunting during winter months.

19 ponds are managed for the production of warm-water fish. Of these, 4 ponds totaling 12.5 acres are also managed for resting habitat and feed for migratory waterfowl, where we raise wild rice. We have in-pond and tank systems for sorting and holding fish.

Each order is individually collected, counted and held for pick-up. Processing of your order does not occur until we have received an approved transportation permit for your fish from the Oregon/Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Santiam Valley Ranch is a licensed fish propagator in the State of Oregon (license #1113). Fish sold must meet inspection requirements and disease standards established by the State.

Santiam Valley Ranch has a unique history in the mid-Willamette Valley. It has offered quality duck and goose hunting for half a century. In the 1950-60's, buffalo were raised, hence many locals know the place as "the old buffalo farm". An extensive network of ponds and ditches were constructed in the 1920's and the farm was used by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife for years as the State's warm-water fish hatchery prior to construction of the state's facility at St. Paul, Oregon.

Today, Santiam Valley Ranch is a family-owned farm. Husband and wife team, Kathy Bridges and Ken Dunder, operate the fish business on a seasonal, part-time basis. They receive help from time to time from sons Nils, Jake, Andy and Luke.

Ken, a Portland State University graduate in chemical engineering, is owner of Hydrokinetic Systems, Inc., a Salem-based business that designs and builds industrial waste treatment systems.

Kathy received her Bachelor's in Zoology and her Master's in Resource Economics from Utah State University, Logan. She has worked more than 22 years directing non-profit organizations dealing with land-use (Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association, Newport), farmer's market (Lincoln County Farmer's Market, Newport), and children with disabilities (Mid-Valley Children's Guild, Salem, now operated by Easter Seals). In 1991, she received the Tribute to Outstanding Women from Governor Barbara Roberts for significant contributions and services. Kathy also served four years as manager for world-renowned artist, Lorenzo Ghiglieri (www.art-lorenzo.com).

Kathy currently serves on the Advisory Board for Autism Society of Oregon, Portland (www.oregonautism.com) serves as Secretary/Treasurer for Oregon Aquaculture Association, Stayton (www.oregonaquaculture.org) and serves as Secretary/Treasurer for Northwest Land Conservation Trust, Silverton (www.nwlct.org).

In addition to operating her farm, Kathy also serves as Executive Director and Trustee for The Bridges Foundation (www.thebridgesfoundation.info)

We get phone calls from throughout Oregon and Washington asking about fish, aquatic vegetation, water quality, pond construction requirements and much, much more. Although we are not experts in everything, Kathy does have a degree in Zoology and Ken is a Chemical Engineer, so maybe we can help or at least direct you to someone who can help.

We have established this web page to share information we gather about fish, aquatic pond environments, aquatic vegetation, resources, etc. Unfortunately, we discontinued our email due to thousands of spam messages. To learn more please contact us by phone: (503) 743-2931 or fax: (503) 743-2512.

Caption for photo: Caricature of Kathy,
from Lorenzo E. Ghiglieri,
painter and sculptor, www.art-lorenzo.com

Since we began selling fish in 1982, we have learned that people who are into fish are some of the nicest, most interesting people around. We have enjoyed getting to know so many fine people through the years--it has made our personal challenges and disasters not so noticeable as we move forward to try to meet your needs for information and fish. It has been our pleasure, indeed a great joy, to help those who share a common fascination with fish.

Fish that are to be released into waters of the State are regulated by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Fish and aquatic organisms intended for aquarium use fall under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

In order to monitor where fish are stocked and, in some cases, to restrict stocking of introduced species, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife requires that all fish transported within the State be accompanied by a "Fish Transportation Permit" ($12 permit fee). Failure to have a permit in your possession can result in confiscation of the fish and/or revocation of our fish propagation license!

It is critically important that Oregonians abide by restrictions established by ODF&W. Throughout the world, introduction of non-indigenous species has led to the destruction of native plants and animals and, in some cases, resulted in economic disasters for human enterprises. Introduced bullfrogs have managed to gobble-up or run-off most of Oregon's native amphibians. And pond turtles, plentiful just a few decades ago, have been reduced to a few isolated pockets due in part to destruction of habitat, voracious bullfrogs and, regrettably, introduced painted turtles. We encourage all our customers to accept the responsibility we share, as Oregonians, to protect our dwindling native species from unnecessary annihilation that oftentimes results from unintentional introduction of introduced, non-native or exotic species.

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife has developed information regarding stocking of fish in private ponds throughout Oregon. This information is based on watershed basins: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/private_ponds/map.asp. As a fish propagator, our role is to take your order and submit it to ODF&W. The Regional Biologist at ODF&W will review all orders; it is their decision to allow or disallow fish in certain areas throughout the State.

For prohibited species, click on "Other" and visit OAR (Oregon Administrative Rules) Division 56 (under "Wildlife"). Prohibited fish include: Bowfin, Piranha/Caribe, Walking Catfish, Oriental Weatherfish, Ide, Rudd, Gar, Snakehead, Round Goby, Ruffe, Zander/Pike-Perch, Pike/Pickerel. Noncontrolled species (no permit required) includes aquaria fish and live foodfish. For controlled species, an importation permit may be required.

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife has additional information regarding fish stocking in private ponds, including screening the pond and controlling excessive algae and other aquatic plants: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/private_ponds/index.asp.

Residents of Washington must obtain a Fish Transportation Application/Permit from the Regional office in your area. Cost is $24. The permit relates to pond site parameters and approval of the source of fish.

Santiam Valley Ranch is permitted to sell fish (with the exception of mosquito fish) in Regions 3 and 5. Channel catfish are permitted in Regions 1-6. Washington does not allow mosquito fish into the State for private pond owners.

For further information about regional offices and for a copy of the permit application, please access them at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/trnsport.htm (Note on web page address: transport for the web page is trnsport.)

To purchase fish from Santiam Valley Ranch, please fax or send us a copy of your Fish Transportation Application/Permit. We use your completed permit to obtain an Oregon Transportation Permit. Both permits must accompany your fish while being shipped through Oregon and Washington.

By the time you seek this Web Page, you most probably have already built your pond. Nonetheless, you may still have questions regarding screening your pond.

Screening the pond ensures that, during heavy rains, your fish won't just swim to the neighbor's pond. Screening also reduces the probability of introduced species invading other streams, ditches, ponds, lakes, rivers, etc. where they may not be wanted.

For information on building and/or screening your pond, contact the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (look in the US Government listings of your telephone book). NRCS formerly included the USDA Soil Conservation Service and USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. Although their mission has changed somewhat with their change in name, they have a number of publications on pond construction and can provide limited technical expertise.

In some cases, building a pond may require a Fill & Removal Permit if it is built within an existing wetland (contact the Oregon Division of State Lands) or water right or reservoir right (contact Oregon Department of Water Resources). You will need to research these requirements, if any, as they pertain to your unique situation.

If you are still in the design stages of your pond, why not include an island or two? They make wonderful habitat for nesting waterfowl, and you may soon find that you are enjoying not only fish, but perhaps a pair of Canada geese! Islands can also provide protected habitat for pond turtles.

Generally speaking, pond owners will want to stock a predator species (bass, channel catfish) and forage species (bluegill, crappie (black or white), bullhead (brown or yellow), yellow perch, minnows).

If you decide to go with bass-bluegill stocking, maximum growth and production will occur 2-3 years after stocking. After that time, you will want to harvest your pond heavily by removing as much as 50% of the fish population annually. In a natural (unfertilized) pond, your annual fish yield should be approximately 15-35 pounds (bass and bluegill combined). Be sure to leave enough fish of spawning size to ensure continued reproduction in your pond. After stocking bass, they should not be fished until they have successfully reproduced (1-3 years after stocking).

Everyone has their own "secret recipe" for successful pond stocking. Basically, you should do what makes sense to you with one important element--try to stock fish of equal size when adequate cover to protect "little ones" is lacking. In other words, if you have a new pond with relatively little cover, and you have several big bass in the pond, you will want to stock several large bluegill, rather than stocking fingerlings.

Many people want to stock warm-water species along with trout. Again, you may stock whatever fish you want into your ponds (within legal restrictions on species). The important factor when stocking warm-water fish and cold-water fish together is that conditions seldom occur where both species will have favorable water temperatures needed for successful spawning.

In reality, there are several stocking options, and you probably have some of your own ideas, too. Some of the most common stocking approaches are:

Although there are recommended stocking rates, even these vary among the experts. So there is no magical, sure-fired way to ensure the best for your pond. Instead, stock the number of fish you want when you want and be sure to monitor fish growth and reproduction so that you harvest your fish adequately. Reasonable removal of fish on an annual basis will negate overcrowding of fish and associated problems such as stunting and cannibalism.

There are a number of nurseries that sell wetland and aquatic plants for your pond. Wetland species, such as water iris, cattails, Sagitarria and others, can be planted around the fringe of your pond to give a more natural and appealing look. Trees (willows, cottonwood) can provide shade and cover during hot summer months. Too many trees, however, can result in too much shade, too much overgrowth and a dumping of organic matter into the pond each Fall as the trees loose their leaves. A balance of sunny and shady spots, with deep (6-8') and shallow (18"-2') water levels, give fish opportunities for spawning, dormancy in winter months and escape options from predators.

Aquatic plants can include water lilies, water hyacinths, duckweed, etc. Potted water lilies can be placed in the shallow areas. The potting helps to ensure that they don't take over the pond. Native water lilies are more likely to survive colder winter temperatures. DO NOT BUY PARROT FEATHER FOR YOUR POND! It will cover your entire pond, plus this species is prohibited in Oregon for placement in ponds.

If your pond is truly warm-water (e.g., shallow and warm in the summer), if you have little introduction of new water, and if there is any source of nutrient loading, you will have more than enough aquatic plants. In fact, you will get sick of aquatic plants! Elodea, mylfoil, and algae are all indications of a normal, healthy warm-water pond. These plants can become so dense that fishing is impossible. On the other side, the dense nature of these weeds provides much cover for small fry and fingerling, and are a forest for phytoplankton and zooplankton upon which the fingerlings feed.

At Santiam Valley Ranch, we also deal with aquatic pond weeds. Here,
Kevin is pulling out weeds so we can move the sein net through the pond.

There are a number of ways to control aquatic vegetation--and surely more ways are being devised every day! Here are few ideas and you can use any combination as you want:

Sorry, there are no fish, frog, crayfish or other animal species we know of that will eliminate algae or aquatic weeds. Grass carp has a reputation for eating vegetation, however, from our own experience, their progress is s-l-o-w. It will take several years for their impact to make a difference, whereas pond owners would prefer a more immediate impact.

Our fish house at Santiam Valley Ranch.	Holding tanks in the fish house.
Outside storage tanks for fish.
Ken showing the ozone and ultra-violet systems. Additionally, we use a biofilter system for holding tanks.	Ken and Andy seining. Notice the depth of the pond is only around 24-inches.

Andy (left) with friend seining pond.	Luke holding a Largemouth bass.
	Aquaculture intern, Tim Alig, demonstrates seining of warm-water fish.