Disclaimer: I have never lived north of Kansas City/St Louis so I don't know much about northern ponds...Other members can shoot me down if I stray from good advice.
That shallow of a pond would not stratify by it's truest definition. Yes, the surface would be warmer than the bottom, but not by much in the heat of the summer. A small aeration system would be beneficial in maximizing your pond's carrying capacity and reducing some muck build-up, AND it might be useful in the winter time to help keep the ice open. I'm not confident that using it in the winter would be a good idea with such a shallow BOW for fear of chilling it down too much, but then again, not using it could be bad too with regards to the ice overs.
I would explore stocking the flathead minnows now that Liquid mentioned and then putting in about 15 channel cats next year. Then feed them pellets for a "put and take" pond.
Last edited by Quarter Acre; 07/18/19 03:08 PM.
