In an earlier post on the "Selecting a site" forum I described the 1-acre bluegill/bass pond I am constructing. The plan was to have the depth drop immediately to about two feet, slope to about 3 feet over the next 10 feet, and then drop again quickly to about 6 feet and to 8-9 feet in the deepest area. I'm thinking about changing this to add some more structure on the west side of the pond, where the contractor has not yet finished digging. That section is shown here, looking across from the east side.

My wife and my dog are just beyond the water line near the base of the tree.

Another view of the same area looking back east from behind the tree illustrates what I am thinking about doing. The water line is in light blue, and the existing ledge at about three feet is in magenta.

What I have in mind is to dig out a deeper area in the middle, leaving a shallow underwater peninsula on the left and an island on the right. This would give a deep channel that runs near the shallow areas and passes close to the bank in front of the tree and to the deepest area near the dam. This would be partly to give a deeper diving area near the bank, but I am wondering if this structure would also be beneficial for habitat.
Another view of the same area from the north is here:


My son also suggested adding a narrow deeper channel where the original creek bed was. And we plan to add some other structure after the contractor finishes his work.

I wish I had found this forum before we ever started, but I guess making changes would be better now than later. Any suggestions on either the overall plan or the changes I am considering would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Charlie

Depth changes , islands , cuts , points , ditches ect are all good structure ideas. In flats in 3 ft of water make BG beds.

Charlie,

Looks like you've put a lot of thought into this. Thanks for sharing!

It looks like the (submerged) island will be within easy casting distance of the shore. I think you will like that for fishing.

BG beds on the island will work well. BG fishing on the beds and LMB fishing in deeper water just off the beds (LMB wait there to ambush BG as the BG come and go).

We have finished digging the pond, and the island now looks like this:

The island is about 25 feet x 20 feet and should be about 3 feet deep. Right now the surface is firm clay. The underwater peninsula is similar, but its depth varies from about 2 feet to 3 feet.

Now I am trying to decide whether to leave the surfaces as they are or add some sand or pea gravel. I would appreciate any advice on whether either of these is worthwhile, and if so, what would be the best approach.

Love the island. It looks great.

FC, from everything I've been told and read, I believe your BG will spawn regardless if you lay down pea gravel or not so it might just be unnecessary work for you. But refer to the note below my signature and let someone else tell you for sure.

I agree that the BG will spawn without making these. However the success of spawning will improve with gravel and just as importantly you will encourage them to spawn where you want them (so you know where to watch and fish).
I would make this on top of the island and down the point. I would use rock (not pea gravel) and no sand and make the impression with the back of a shovel. Then add about a half shovel of rock per bed.








This is a RES but gives an idea of what a bed should look like

Great pictures. I sure would like to get that beautiful shell cracker on my fly rod.
Do you do the construction before or after the pond fills? Right now the clay surface on the island is so firm that it would take some digging to make the depressions. The peninsula surface is a little softer.
Another question: I have access to limestone or granite driveway gravel. Would one of these be suitable?

Working on a pond bottom is much easier before it fills.

Gravel type should not matter to the fish. Limestone would have the bonus of adding very slightly to the calcium content of the pond. This is almost always a benefit.