Russ - The SMB & yellow perch combination in your northern NY area is probably a better and more compatable combination. Walleye will also work with yellow perch. These combinations can work in ponds as small as 1/3 acre, but the smaller the pond than 1acre the fewer harvestable fish that can be raised and the more management it takes to keep it in balance and keep all fish growing well.
The main problem with SMB and bgill as I see it is SMB are not reliable spawners. Some years you get few or no young SMB. Then the prolific bgill quickly start getting ahead of the predators. Soon bgill overpopulation and stunting is the next phase.
SMB can be obtained in NY from Hicklings Fish Hatchery in Edmeston.
