So Todd, you threw alot of ideas out there for consideration. I have alot of experience with every situation you mentioned above and some...anyhow my advice would be: if you build it, they will come: plus if you love it, you will be successful.
To expound on that a little, I would incorporate what you love into that little pond and you will not only be profitable, but you will have fun with it, and showcase what you can do. On the flip side, if you create something that is a headache for you, or extra work you dont want to do, or more work than it needs to be, you simply wont have fun and probably wont be profitable.
If you like to cook, nothing is more exciting for people than to eat their catch fresh...cooking fish is just as intimidating as fishing is for people so once you show them firsthand both catching and eating, you are a hero....
If you like to have a couple birthday party type events there, set up that program and publicize it and run with it....
If you want a showcase for certain clients, nothing sells more fish for me than showing them above average fish....
Flyfishing seminars usually go over really well, bring in an instructor for a bit of instruction and then hands on from there....
Fish off competition can bring in alot of money just for one day event, especially if you have great prizes for tagged fish and of course the biggest fish....(maybe instead of entry fee, clients who purchase x amount of fish are invited to the event)....
Of course you have to have a couple boyscout groups or a charity fundraiser fishing derby at the pond here and there as well....
Every chance I ever get (mainly at tourist places or vacation) I always visit the local fish hatchery and then any fee fishing operations around. I have literally been to 20 or more fee fishing places across the US. (I usually dont fish at them, just nose around and ask lots of questions and get ideas)....
Also I have helped create a 10 acre fishing park with 3 ponds and 2 trout springs where we now have over 100 volunteers and have had clients donate more than $400,000 to date to renovate and operate this community fishing park. This year alone we have had more than 3000 kids and seniors come to the park and catch fish free of charge.
We host special event seminars, derbies, birthday parties on top of our normal school field trips, kids groups, boyscouts, and nursing homes... Also we have a trophy trout pond for only special outings, flyfish seminars, and fundraiser trips....
Anyhow you could probably get a few ideas from the website:
http://www.hookedonfishingpark.org/Home.html Just keep in mind, when people see it at your place, they will want it at their place...
