I would do Blueflag Iris and/or Sweetflag right at 4 inches of depth to right at the water line and water willow about 6-8 inches below water line. These are all non-invasive natives to your area and work awesome for shoreline stabilization and erosion prevention. The added bonus will be some pretty spring flowers too. The Iris will give you the cattail look without the cattail invasion problems, and the water willow will provide extra cover for YOY fish and crustaceans while also helping protect the dam.

12 ac pond in NW Missouri. 28' max depth at full pool. Fish Present: LMB, BG, RES, YP, CC, WB, HSB, WE, BCP, WCP, GSH.