Here is a link to my low tech pond netting that will accomplish your goals. I find it easy to put up and remove and it does allow animal and bird escape.

Lisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Pond netting

There are several ways to lay a net over the pond. I used the PVC pipe method with tent stakes and pieces of rebar for mine. It is pretty simple, but my net is only 12x20. I would leave gaps so that critters would not get caught under it. It was long enough to go up over the waterfall also.

You might be able to use buckets filled with rocks or cement with a stick in the middle, using a tennis ball to keep from poking through the net. Just place filled buckets into the pond in various places and drape the net over it, holding it down along the edges with tent stakes.

Last Fall 2009 using PVC frame:

{{gwi:229630}}

Something I recently read that kind of made sense that doesn't involve concrete or anything like that is just using a beachball or two. You could use a couple of stakes with fishing line or something to keep the beach balls in the same place.

My hubby has an aluminum bending machine ,He bent poles,To go up and across pond Its above the pond about 2' The net is over the frame so its off the water.It was nice didnt have any worries of heron and i could sit in patio look down on fish & pond.nice.