James, IMO if the CNBG are just for forage, then the LMB should handle the harvest. In either scenario, 30-1 or 10-1, I would still provide adequate cover for the CNBG. One thing you would want is for them to continue to have large enough numbers of good sized CNBG for continued spawning, and not get wiped out by hungry young LMB. 10-14" LMB are eating machines, and can get a pond out of whack in a few years if their numbers are not controlled..
I also think a balanced 10-1 pond could also be referred to as a recreational pond. There is a point when the overstocked forage can make it much harder to catch LMB. I've personally only seen 2 ponds that kept the fun aspect of fishing for oversized LMB intact. One was Bruce Condello's pond, and the other is a completely unmanaged 35 acre pond that my buddy has. They both are forage rich, but the LMB remain catchable.
I have a 1/2 acre pond that I'm trying the 30-1 scenario on. The female only LMB should be brutes right now. I say should, because the only problem is I can't get them to hit a hook. LMB usually hit a lure because of hunger, bed defense, or reaction. A 30-1 stocking scenario removes one of those options.
Im only 1 1/2 hours away. Want me to come show you how to catch em?
If I dont catch a fish they sprouted legs and walked off.
