Hi everyone,

This is a great site, lots of good info and advice.

I'm looking for some suggestions and advice on about shaping the bottom of the lake I'm building.

The Lake is in the 4 acre range. It is spring, creek and rain water fed. The entire thing is made of clay, either red, black or grey.

I'm going to cut the banks down fairly quickly to get to four feet. Then it will be more gradual to the average depth of 8 feet. I'm told this helps keep shoreline vegitation to to a minimum since it can't grow in deeper water. Any thoughts?

Is there any advantage to haveing some areas, or holes, that are deeper in the middle of the lake? How deep and how big? Why is this a good idea?

I've read that fish spend most of their lives in the top 4 feet of water. Would it be smart to create a few ridges that run from the shoreline to the middle of the lake that have 4 feet of water over them?

If I make the ridges, or fingers, I could also have sections that are even closer to the surface for water lilies. Maybe 3 feet deep in areas.

Would water lilies improve the habitat for the fish?

I could also make some submerged islands that have 3 to 4 feet of water over them for plants that wouldn't spread to other areas of the lake. Is this a good idea?

Is there any advantage to haveing a shallow beach area? Say for minnows or baby fish?

I'm planning on using the stumps that don't burn as structure in the lake. I'll half bury them at various places throughout the lake, but don't know how deep they should be. Any thoughts?

Eddie

eddie,

You'll get lengthier replies later, but here's a quick message…Sounds like all your ideas are good ones based on proven methods. Constructing ridges, humps and islands are all important for fish habitat. The lilly pads will add shade for those hot summers. The steeper grade in the banks is always a good idea. You do want some shollow flats (1-2 feet deep) for smaller forage fish. You can place heavier structure in these areas to give them even more protection. At 4 acres in size, add a few gravel beds for bluegill spawns. For bass do the same gravel beds, but in deeper water (2-3 feet).

Consider keeping a certain area of the lake free of structure for safe swimming.

The deeper holes are good too, but unless you plan on aerating, don't make them too deep. If they are so deep that the oxygen level isn't sufficient then you haven't accomplished your goal. Without aeration, 7-9 feet is about as deep as you'd want to go. With aeration you can go further down.

Sounds like you've done your homework. Now comes the fun stuff! Good luck and enjoy the hard work.

eddie,

I forgot to mention, you should also go to the forum named "Creating Habitat" on this website. Do some searches there for your keywords and you'll find even more helpful info.