How deep to over winter fish?

I am north of you in Milwaukee. I cover my pond in winter.
http://weloveteaching.com/mypond/winters/winter.htm
it is a very simple lean to. it is high enough over the pond so snow doesnt make the
plastic sag down into the pond.
I now use a 500 watt aquarium heater in the pond along with a bucket filter and I
feed my koi 11 months of the year. before the heater they wouldnt eat for 5-6
months. Ingrid

cymric wrote:


I live in the Chicagoland area and have a new pond. Its about 2-3 feet
deep in the middle and about 7 feet across. I have six goldfish and
one Koi and wonder if they can overwinter or do I need to bring them
inside?



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cymric wrote:
I live in the Chicagoland area and have a new pond. Its about 2-3 feet
deep in the middle and about 7 feet across. I have six goldfish and
one Koi and wonder if they can overwinter or do I need to bring them
inside?




--
cymric

I live in Chicago and have a 50 gallon pond, 4 foot wide, 2 foot
across, maximum depth about 30 inches. Last year I kept 6 large
goldfish with no apparant problem. If you remember last year was not
very cold. The pond did freeze over for most of December and again
January into February. Each time after about a month I just broke out
the ice. The fish were fine.

I went to alot of effort in the Fall to remove all leaves and started
with very clean water.

I don't think a bubbler is really necessary, and feel that no currents
should be created. I don't want the fish exerting themselves in any
way, as they are not being fed.

You do know not to try to feed them? Cold water shuts down the
digestive system. I'm starting to reduce feedings now. Low 50's water
temps mean no more food.