My pond ended up about 1 and 1/2 acre.How much of a spawning area do I need for lmb? What is the best rock to use? Is white ok? It would make it easier to watch them spawn but probably would not be as warm.I read about putting plastic down first.My shallow areas are on a slope. Should I put something at the lower end to stop the gravel from washing down? What about cover for them to spawn next to? I want to get all this done before the pond fills.

I recently built a 5 acre pond and had 2 experts/consultants make separate visits during construction. I wont name them because I dont want to misquote, but when I asked each of them whether I should create a rock spawning area(s), they both advised that it wasn't worth even the minimal cost of the rock/gravel. One of them provided this analogy....fish are like people in some ways; they will find a place to eat and a place to multiply. Made sense to me so my pond does not have any gravel beds.

Flame if your talking regular LMB not small mouth they would prefer some sort of habitat but rocks no. LMB like to spawn near logs under fallen trees, near a sunk tire or boat, but they will spawn no matter what if the water in your pond is right for it. My LMB like the small bay area I have and they spawn in about 2 to 4 foot of water right in the muck. You can tell they made a bed as all the muck will be removed and there will be a nice sandy bottom circle about 2 feet round give or take. They will use there tail fin to feather out a spot that will look much like a big bowl when done. Hence the reason why you don't want to put rock in there. Maybe some larger rocks. Here is something I have seen. 2 large rocks lets say boulders about 2 foot round or so with a 2 foot space between them they will spawn in the middle of the 2 rocks. See what I am getting at here. They like stuff near by or over their bed but the gravel/ rocks will just hurt their tail fin while they are making the bed. If that makes since...

RC

Here is something else your gonna have to watch out for. With your pond only being 1.5 acres you really don't want to much bass spawning going on anyway. Before you know it you will be getting over crowded with bass. I have a 1 acre pond and I have to watch this close. 1.5 acre is better but still will need to be managed correctly or you will / could get into stunted LMB in the future.

RC

Even one LMB pulling off a successful spawn will produce more LMB than you need to keep up with the number of LMB that you will take out yearly. No special spwwning habitat is needed for them.

Thanks everyone. Ya'll just saved me some more money!!! Me likes saving money!!