Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat New Pond: do I need gravel for BG and LMB spawn

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BG nor LMB require spawning substrate like gravel or rocks per posts above. If gravel is present, both species may prefer constructing spawning beds those areas, however. Unless gravel is placed in kiddie wading pools, snow saucers, or on top of landscaping fabric, it will eventually incorporate with clay bottom and is covered silt and is lost/buried and ineffective.

Larger rocks offer ambush points for LMB, places to focus your fishing, while also providing cover for forage - including crayfish - who like burrowing under rocks.

Adding rock and gravel isn't necessary, but is an educational exercise. Hand placing 100T of boulders is kinda a rite of passage - at least it was for me - but I also have SMB so their presence was more important as a preferred SMB habitat and also for spawning.

You can't go wrong here, either way. If you have gravel and rock free and enjoy the work - go for it. I'd place my gravel beds in 1-5' depths for LMB and BG beds - don't forget some kind of liner.