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Mr. Theo where did this hypothesis come from? Taller YP individuals are very likely the females. More slender individuals will be the slower growing males. I think the females will be bulking-up more body mass and fat reserves for the upcoming next spawning session.

Silversides Inland and Brook
Here is more information about Inland and Brook silversides that are both commonly present in OK waters Web information indicates bass eat a lot of silversides probably because as a surface dweller they are vulnerable to predation from bass that frequently feed on surface foods. See the links for some helpful information about how to recognize the difference between these two very similar looking species.

Inland silverside
http://txstate.fishesoftexas.org/menidia%20beryllina.htm
Spawning occurs in shallow water areas with abundant vegetation (Hildebrand 1922). Spawning occurs during both day and night (Middaugh et al. 1986). In some populations, spawning occurs mostly in midmorning (Hubbs 1976).
Inland silversides, Menidia beryllina, have distinct spawning behavior throughout their range, with individuals in the northern range exhibiting a unimodal spawning season between May and July and those in the southern range displaying either a bimodal spawning season, often spawning in the spring and again in the early fall. Inland silversides are dependent on water temperature for spawning, with both the initiation and cessation of spawning occurring within similar temperature ranges throughout their geographical range. Spawning is initiated when water temperatures are between 13.5 and 17.0 °C (56.3 and 62.6 °F) and spawning ends when water temperature rises to 27.0 to 32.4 °C (80.6 to 90.3 °F). Many populations, especially those in Texas and Florida, are r-strategists, producing high numbers of offspring, but displaying little if any parental care. Along with a lack of parental care, this strategy also includes rapid sexual maturation and reproduction at a young age. Growth rates in female individuals have been observed to be far greater than those of males with juvenile females growing between 0.31mm/day – 0.34mm/day and juvenile males growing between 0.20mm/day – 0.27mm/day.[6]

http://txstate.fishesoftexas.org/labidesthes%20sicculus.htm
https://www.nativefishlab.net/library/textpdf/14870.pdf
Brook silverside
https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=318
Brook Silverside is an annual species that mature at age 1 and usually die before reaching 18 months (Marsden et al. 2000). They spawn in spring and early summer in and around vegetation, esp. Scirpus and Potamogeton when water temperatures reach 20ºC and spawning climaxes at 22.4ºC (Cahn 1927). Females produce 400 to 700 eggs, which are orange and attached by a ~2.0 cm long adhesive filament – hatching in 8-9 days (Becker 1983). Two to three distinctive long filaments attach eggs to vegetation or other substrata (Fogle 1959; Rasmussen 1980). Non-obligatory plant spawners depositing eggs on submerged plants or, if not available, items such as logs, gravel, and rocks. Eggs are unguarded and every vulnerable to being eaten. Juveniles exhibit extremely rapid growth with 70-80% of total length achieved within the first year prior to winter (Scott and Crossman 1973; Becker 1983). Lifespans rarely exceed 2 years as individuals die after spawning.

It's great that you were able to identify and seal off one of the clay tiles, which seemed to help initially. Since you're still experiencing issues after a big rain, there might be another source of leakage.
Given that you've already tried witching and digging along the pond with limited success, you might consider bringing in a professional to assess the situation.

Interesting theory. Intrigued to hear Cody's take. As anglers we're naturally wired to think length determines growth.

Question for Dr. Perca, et al. - how does this sound?

Hypothesis for analysis: YP who are taller for their length, compared with other members of the same population, are growing faster than their companions.

Dr. Luke,

Any wood ducks in their boxes yet, or is it still a bit too early?

Thanks, I’ll give him a try!

Regular ag lime is better but if you can't get it then use bag lime. Start with a ton of ag lime. More won't hurt and will help. Test 2 weeks after application and see where you are.

Have the soil and water tested (inexpensive). Everything else starts there. Read as much on the forum as possible. Like most of the comments above.

CC-
Here in central Iowa, I am only hearing our brown choral frogs (aka "spring peepers") so far. No toad trilling yet. I have documented many things about our pond, but will have to add 'first heard frogs singing/toad trilling' to the list. As it was everywhere this spring, really odd and early spring. Pond was ice free by Feb 8th, which is a solid 30 days early. It was highly variable for weather and temps since then, with several days of skim ice on and off, some flurries and cold temps and a few unusually hot days peppered in. My WAG is the temperatures are playing a role, but the photoperiod will remain key. When the days get long enough, and the water temps consistently warm enough, the American toads will begin the spring symphony.

Wishing the best for Todd and that the Immunotherapy is successful.