My pond has been completed since Jan. and I have stocked and fertilized on schedule(2 acres). The other day I noticed a small floating of lillypads about 4 feet in diameter in the upper end. I know lillypads can be good for bass cover but I have also seen them overrun ponds of my size. Should I try to eliminate them, control them or just let them take a natural course?

In clear water I have seen them grow down to about 5 feet deep. As long as you have a big percentage of the pond deeper than this you should be allright.
Robert B

Just the other day I noticed some pond weed that is almost the same as lily pads. I have seen it grow around the whole pond in pretty deep water. Like yours, mine is still in small areas. I have decided that unless I want to always fish from a boat that it's better to kill it now than later.

Watch it with caution, if you see it spreading quickly teat with 2,4-D granular (Navigate). You can springle this product around the edges of the plant to keep in place. Or maybe you want to do what was suggested above and kill now. If it spreads you will be forced to spend a decnet amount of money to eradicate.

Another option for you, is a winter drawdown. Since you just stocked this year, like myself, you probably won't be fishing any until next fall. If you have a drainpipe you can do a winter drawdown and eliminate all your weeds this winter, or you could build a siphon pipe if no drainpipe was installed. Thats what I'll be doing this winter. I'll start my drawdown around the end of November and let it start filling back up in mid to late february.

This option doesn't cost you anything either.