Assuming overheating in the summer is not an issue (due to northern local) and you get max 4' of ice.. would a 10' deep pond be adequate? How much water do you really need for the fish under the ice.
This is really my backyard, so let me add this to the discussion:
Overheating will occur in the summer, guarantied! in fact the most limiting factor in this latitude is often the temperature in the summer (depending on species of trout).
Summer on PEI you can expect many days in the upper 90 F on the land and maybe 80F near the ocean. A still pond, even if 12' deep could become too hot for trout in summer.
Aeration is must, but in the summer it should be thermally controlled so it running only when temperature is bellow 68 F.
The other point is that you will never see 4 feet of ice on a pond in PEI. 4 feet of ice is more for sub-arctic condition where wind blows the snow off the ice and temperature is generally in the -20 F range. PEI has lots of snow, mild winter temperature which accounts for about 18" of ice in the deepest part of winter. Expect 12" and maybe one year out of 15 a potential 20" of ice.
Snow removal for skating is fun, but I do not know anybody who does it anymore when its piled 4 feet tall. So generally skating rinks are not fun anymore around mid February. The days the rink closes, the aerator can be turned back on.
Personally I have designed successful ponds for trout with 10' to 12' of water maximum, as long as the aeration device and method follows certain rules as mentioned before.
Often a new pond built in a field will not become a trout pond until trees are planted and aquatic plants are in place to maximize the coolness of the water and stability of temperature. The same pond, built in the forest, will do better for trout.
and that is just a start!
Regards
