If the ultimate goal is to create a self sustaining pond that maximizes potential for fish production and size, we should start by establishing a healthy forage fish environment.
I have never head of a pond that has too many minnows. The biggest source of over crowding is typically the next step up in the food chain (panfish). It seems logical that a large minnow population would increase panfish size and that a suitable panfish balance could be maintained with a combination of predators and habitat.
Sunfish typically require mud or gravel beds for breeding. At that time, they are most vulnerable to predators (and fisherman).
I bet a 50% habitat in a pond could work wonders. Creating structures throughout the pond near spawning beds could provide predators quick access to fish in open water.
Predator population can be influenced by limiting suitable breeding habitat:
Channel catfish prefer hollow structures. Without them, reproduction is reduced.
Northern pike could keep the bass from over populating, but without shallow marsh-like areas for spawning, pike too would be less likely to reproduce. A large amount of structure would also make it difficult for the pike to devastate a whole population.
In my opinion, too many ponds look like mud bottom swimming pools and would benefit from more habitat.
