Good questions, I too have struggled with the mentality of Alberta's gov't regarding fisheries. I think it's all about demand and the lack of gov't funding for any aquaculture related projects. There are only 3700 fish culture license holders in the whole province and 100 commercial licenses. A commercial license allows the grower to sell pond raised fish to guys like us and also to stock local gov't put and take lakes. Most of these licensed growers do not have hatcheries and only broker fish or have grow out operations, they all get their fish from mostly one person. That person has set the pace for what we can buy to stock our ponds. Out of the six species allowed, he only raises rainbows and brooks and therefore that's all we can have. Long story short, aquaculture in Alberta is behind the times and mostly ignored.
As for the Gov't regulations regarding native species, just have a look what they have done to the local public lakes with the cutbacks and mis-management, over-harvesting, no real re-stocking programs, collapse of the walleye, next is pike and perch. I won't even get into the issues with mountain streams and rivers.
Anyway, I don't want to discourage you from your pond,stock it with trout, they grow faster and fight harder anyway, just don't expect a lot of help from the province. With the way the local lakes are headed, I think it's more important now to promote private aquaculture.
Regarding your pond, I would suggest a few things to think of. First I would get it as deep as possible, 15 feet minimum. The ledge you mentioned, I am assuming is under water? This may cause a lot of problems with submerged weeds. Try to keep shallow water to a minimum or none at all, to avoid weeds lining your pond, don't worry you will get some anyway. The ledge will also help the great blue heron in his efforts to fish your pond.
The best thing to do now is to set out your goals for the pond and build around them, people here will provide good advice. Stick around.
John
