Thanks for the responses! Lots of good info. I've been busy the last couple of days so sorry for the delay.
Bob, I totally agree that my pond is very unique. I think that the cool-water fish are what I'll stock, if I find a hatchery close by. When it comes to stocking a few more grass carp, how much chara do you think is too much? Maybe like 20 to 30% bottom covered is about right?? What do you think about adding gizzard shad as forage after a few years with that many predators? Could they control them?
Norm, I think that the shallow water areas have decent cover in my pond. Most of the cover is in the form of tree limbs, pallets and cement slabs. The water level goes down 3 or 4 feet and then back up again. In some areas the chara will be out of the water when its at the low point, but since its pretty steep sided I don't loose much surface area when its at the low water point. There is good cover at all depths. I didn't really want to feed the fish but if I did get some hybrid stripers i might. Also I am familiar with the drum you speak of. They are good fighters and bite when other fish won't. Never eaten one but some people love em while other people don't like them at all.
