Out Back Water Gardens

Tucked away in Metamora, Illinois, Out Back Water Gardens is a family-run operation that specializes in pond fish and aquatic plants — and does both remarkably well. Dave and his wife run the business from their home property, so calling ahead is essential, but those who make the trip consistently leave impressed by the depth of knowledge and quality of stock they find waiting for them. The koi selection draws particular praise from reviewers, with multiple visitors describing it as amazing.

These aren't mass-produced pet store fish — this is a dedicated pond specialist curating healthy, beautiful koi at prices that customers repeatedly call very reasonable. If you're stocking or expanding a backyard pond in central Illinois, this is the place to start. Aquatic plants are the other major draw.

While the selection of water plants may not be enormous, what they carry is high quality and well-suited for pond environments. One customer noted that the plants they purchased were thriving, and another said they learned twice as much about aquatic plants in a half-hour visit as they'd known before walking in. That kind of hands-on education is hard to find at a big-box retailer.

The property itself features a water garden that visitors describe as beautiful — essentially a living showroom that demonstrates what's possible with the right combination of plants, fish, and design. It's a genuine reflection of the owners' passion for pond keeping rather than a polished retail space, and that authenticity is part of the charm. Out Back Water Gardens has been serving the Metamora area for years, building a loyal following through personal attention, fair pricing, and genuine expertise in pond life.

The business thrives on word-of-mouth, with multiple reviewers expressing regret they didn't discover it sooner. For anyone building or maintaining a pond in the region, a phone call and a short drive to this home-based operation is well worth the effort.