🐟 Mosquitofish Available at JCVCD—Help Us Fight the Bite Naturally! 🦟
Looking to keep mosquitoes out of your pond or water feature? JCVCD is still offering mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) free of charge to Jackson County residents—available for pickup during regular office hours (we’re not closed for lunch!). These small but mighty fish can eat hundreds of mosquito larvae a day and they’re a great option to help naturally control mosquitoes in your yard!
📌 How It Works
- Limit: 1 fish per foot of pond length, up to 25 fish total
- Habitat: Great for water troughs, ornamental ponds, abandoned swimming pools, and other artificial self-contained water features
- Care: Mosquitofish are hardy and will thrive with 12″+ water depth, moderate temperatures, and structure like plants or rocks for hiding
⚠️ Important Legal Restrictions
Mosquitofish are a non-native species, and Oregon law (ORS 498.222), enforced by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), limits where they can be placed. To protect native species and waterways, mosquitofish must be stocked only in “aquaria”—defined as self-contained waterbodies or tanks not fed or drained by natural waterways.
🚫 They cannot be placed in:
- Creeks, streams, sloughs, lakes, ponds, or ditches connected to natural waterways
- Permanent ponds located in floodplains, where flooding could allow fish to escape into natural systems
When used responsibly, mosquitofish are a powerful tool in preventing mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus. Questions about proper placement or pond suitability? Give JCVCD a call—we’re happy to help!
