Hi everyone. I'm hoping to start construction on a new pond next month. I'm located in southwest Missouri. The pond will be 6 to 8 acres. 25 ft deep at the dam end, 6ft at the upper end. Mostly gravel bottom. We have excellent water quality in our ponds in this part of the country. The water clears pretty quick after a heavy rain. The pond will be fed by two springs as well as run off from the 3 acre pond above it
My first pond was built in 2005. Its 3 ac. We're in a drought prone area so it didnt fill untill 2007. Started with FHM and BG. 18 months ago added small LMB and Blk.Crappie. The LMB are now 14+in and the Crappie are 9+ in. Managment is geared towards large BG and Crappie for the table. LMB are in there simply as a predator. Also have some CNBG,RES and CC.
For this new pond I was thinking of doing something along the lines of the recent YP/WE post from Michigan.
Would something like that work in Missouri? Any thoughts?

Here's my first thought... What you have in the 3 acre pond, will also be in your new bigger pond. Fish will over flow out of the 3 acre pond in high water events and thus will end up in the bigger new pond. So keep that in mind when planning fish communities... You will have LMB, BG and crappie in your new pond, there is nothing that can be done about that...

YP and WE can survive in ponds with the above mentioned species. Take some time to utilize the search feature of the forum and type in things like walleye/WE, crappie/BC, etc... There are piles of info about those species and any others on here. Some very good recent threads.

I figured that would happen eventually. My thought was to enjoy the YP/WE pond while it lasted. I did search thru the archives alittle bit this morning. A search for YP didnt come up with much.It sounds like it will be challenging to keep the YP once the BG get in there. Is that correct? Havent turned up anything yet that explains how to maintain the YP with the others.
Also read where someone suggested CC as a predator in a YP pond. I'm not dead set on having WE in the pond and the CCats would fit much better for my plans if they were a good option.

The YP should survive well in your new pond with the spring water flowing into it. Once the LMB are established the YP density will decrease. The decrease will be determined by the habitat. The more complex the habitat the longer and better the YP will survive. I would start with FHM, shiners, and fingerling YP in the spring. IN fall or the next spring add small WE and or SMB. Things will be good until the upper pond spills into the lower larger pond. Then the fishery balance will change rapidly. Keep us posted on your progress with this new pond.

Bill is right, these guys are teaching me how important the fine cover is, to growing fry and forage to the desired size. Tons of info. here about choices/options for habitat/cover.