I like a layer of larger rock followed by smaller stuff. The larger (2-3") will tend to not work its way down into the soil like fine stuff will, but as pointed out it is terrible to walk on. Thus the smaller stuff on top. I have put some small 3/8" stuff with the fines taken out and also used some AB3 (fines all the way up to 1" mixed) and both work ok.
As far as running it down the bank a ways for shoreline erosion control, I like the 2-3" stuff. The best way I found to do this is with the pond level low during a drought or before the pond fills. What I did was use my small MFWD 2520 John Deere loader tractor (about 25 hp), ran the front wheels over the bank headed down the bank, put the bottom of the bucket at a 45 degree angle to the soil, and did a "cut" into the bank pushing soil forward 6" or so. This created a small "bench" about 2-3' below full pool water level line. This gives a ledge for the rock to sit on so when it is poured over the bank it does not roll down to the bottom of the pond. This method obviously will not work with the pond full. I did mine when the pond was about 2/3 full on its initial fill. Would have been better to have done it when the pond was initially built but I did not decide to do it till later.
If your pond needs lime anyway, you can then cover this bank protection rock with regular ag lime. This fine stuff will fill in between the coarse rock and help hold it in place. Much will "wash off" the bank with wave action and lime the pond. The coarser material in the lime will settle a foot or two below the surface from the wave action and make a sort of ledge. At least that is the way it worked for me. This is not necessary, but just another way to help stabilize the bank while giving the pond some lime. Maybe I just have too much time on my hands, but I like the way it worked out. Did the lime with a shovel out of the tractor loader bucket. Took a while, but not too bad.
I really like the rock we put around the pond to drive and walk on as well as down into the pond for bank erosion protection. We can go out anytime after or even during a rain and easily walk or ride the 4-wheeler around the pond. I think we get a lot more use out of the pond than what we would if we did not have it "rocked".
