Walk around the pond, vary your distances, see what looks right, measure the distance. Pond size matters, too. A 1 acre pond can be completely viewed even close up on the pond, while a 4 acre pond you'd need to sit back a ways. This is all personal preference...maybe I'm missing the thrust of your question?

On another topic, apparently congratulations are in order - you ended up buying that parcel evidentally? Good job! Any luck on finding a contractor? Check all local pond owners and ask them who worked on theirs, NRCS, etc.

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau

[Linked Image from i1261.photobucket.com]