Bender, You will need some areas for YP and SMB that are more shallow (3-5 ft deep) with gravel type of bottom for the SMB to spawn on and some weedy areas or structure for the YP to lay their eggs on. But for the most part they like it deep and cool. I only see the SMB jump out at night to get teh bugs but during the day they do not cruise the shallows like LMB. (at least not in my pond) The YP I never see except the small new fish as they grow up in the shallow weeds prior to going down deep. As I said I have a 3 ft wide 3-5 ft shelf around 3 sides of the pond for the spawning beds. I am also adding a series of shallow 2-4 ft wider (expansion to the pond
) areas as it gets dryer this summer for the fatheads and small fry to stay in for protection.
As for will they work well in the same cooler water, the answer is yes sort of. The YP and SMB do like cooler 50-65 is favorite temps. The trout like it cooler than that but can deal with the 50's and low 60s. Remember as you areate the pond, you will make the lower part of the water cloumn warmer due to the mixing. Thus unless you do what Cecil or others have suggested, you might warm things up too much for the trout.
Well thats my $0.02 worth. I will now leave it up to the real experts to give you better ideas. Good luck and enjoy the experience of building the eco system. Its a great feeling when everything works together!!
