Hybrid water lillies provide great cover for your minnows. You can plant them along the shoreline in 6-18" of water. If your banks are real steep it might be harder. I have planted several in a shallow end of my pond and they were quick to take hold, unfortunately the geese that have started to call the pond home ate them all over the weekend. Once goose season starts (September 15) we will make sure they don't return...
