Bmrenn,
There are going to be better minds than mine talk about forage, but I 'll be glad to through in a few ideas. First off, I am in Texas, so our water and temp swings are going to be different. When Scott and Cecil (and others) see this, they will better guide you as they are much closer to your area and will know the "Local" problems you may face better than Us Texans, but here goes.
I purpose build my forage pond like this:
It is about 50 feet wide and about 100 feet long. The deep end is flat and then it slopes towards the shallow end so my seine net is easier to use. Further, most fish farmers dig their forage ponds about 4 feet deep, but since I was not going to be there all the time, I choose to dig mine deeper. This presents me with pluses and minuses. First off, my seine net had to be taller to catch the fish when I want to transfer them to the big pond. But the benefit is I have more water available during the drought especially when I am not at the farm for a little while. Second problem I had, no electricity, I solved that with a small solar setup. I use the power right now for an aeration solution that has worked very well for me. As the season goes on and I remove most of the forage, I'll use the power differently ( I have a plan).
Now dirt issues, most guys hate seining because they have to slog through the mud. I have very sandy soils and was able to use that sand to firm up my clay which make it very easy to walk the seine down the shore. Walking on the shores of Georgetopia is like walking on a beach near the shoreline where the sand is firm.
Water input will also be something you will want to think about. I build Georgetopia right next to the big pond, so transferring water to Georgetopia is very easy (done twice so far this summer).
My reasons for building Georgetopia are varied, but here are a few of the top reasons:
1. To see if I could do it.
2. I wanted to improve my genetics and a forage pond allows for better control.
3. I enjoy learning, it keeps me young.
4. So I could understand some of the things George was talking about.
5. Just because.
And the most important reason; to name it after George. He and his generation are the greatest.
So in short, there are a lot of reason to build one, figure out if it will help you or just take up your time. I know that it is one of the best things I have done for the health of our big pond, and I would do it again. It works for me.
