A heron is trying to eat my fish!

If you keep goldfish or koi in your backyard pond then sooner or later you may receive a visit by your not so friendly neighborhood blue heron. With binocular vision that’s 3x better than ours, lightning quick reflexes, and stealthy movements, herons are a formidable predator to fish, frogs, and the like. So what defenses are available to protect your precious koi and goldfish? Here are some of the best that we’ve seen over the years:

1. Koi Caves / Hiding Places

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your fish from winged predators is to give them refuges to hide in. A variety of caves and hideaways such as this Faux Log Fish Cave are available for purchase. Here at AWM we often create natural koi caves and tunnels out of the Michigan Fieldstone used in all of our ponds. Plants like water lilies can also provide good cover for your fish.

2. Decoys ​

Since herons are territorial and often won’t encroach on a rival’s space, setting a decoy heron out by the pond can deter those unwelcome guests. Other decoys such as alligators or swans that heron’s wouldn’t want to tussle with can also be effective.

3. Fishing Line

An observation we’ve made about herons is that they usually enter the backyard ponds from the outside in. As opposed to how ducks will often fly directly into the water. Stringing a perimeter of fishing line around the pond will deter and frustrate the herons from walking in. The fishing line’s thinness and transparency don’t have the same aesthetic detraction as other physical fences or barriers do. It can also be criss-crossed over the pond for an even more robust defense. ​

4. Motion Activated Sprinklers

A burst of water from a motion activated sprinkler at the pond’s edge can often be just the scare needed to send away a hungry heron with an empty stomach. These gadgets are available through many online and brick-and-mortar retailers. AWM can also help with the placement and installation.

5. Guard Dogs & Nets

If you have a particularly persistent heron and other predator control methods don’t seem to be working then the last resort may be to get a dog that will chase it away whenever it lands near the pond. ​

The same leaf nets that should be used to keep the autumn leaves out can also be set up to totally block the heron's access to your fish. While extremely effective, it’s not exactly the natural look that’s desired.

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Try any one or a combination of these ideas to protect your koi & goldfish from the peskiest of backyard predators. There are many more ideas out there to try or maybe even find a creative one of your own! Contact us here at AWM Water Features if you need any help or advice deterring herons or any other pond predators.