Use the internet as a start. Use the search topic Fishing Pond or bass pond or trout pond or? Almost all States have public sites where fisheries biloogists post papers and "how to do it" stuff. Mississippi is a good starting source and a lot of them have links to other State sites.

Read all of this site. The past discussions and questions, while not all pertaining to your questions, will make you more knowledgable and then allow you to ask more specific questions. An awful lot of things that you aren't aware of are answered here. You might also want to start a dialogue with others that are doing what you want to do. Pay particular attention to Bill Cody, Kelly Duffie, Greg Grimes, David Willis and some others that do this for a living. Oh yeah, if you see anything by Bill Cody, read it until you really understand it. Sometimes it takes several shots but is absolutely worth it.

I would subscribe to Pond Boss magazine. It answers a lot of questions that I am not smart enough to ask. With the exception of the time my wife threw out some "junk", I have all of my back copies and refer to them sometimes.

Think in "holistic" terms. You know you can't grow a garden in poor soil and you can't grow fish in poor water. I think it all comes down to water quality. A top of the line predator can't make it if the smallest piece of life is having a hard time due to water quality problems. Thats why I said pay attention to Bill Cody. He is a water quality expert and also is a Northern pond guy.

I would talk to other pond owners and the NRCS about the soils in my area and ask them what to expect.

Oh yeah, keep your checkbook handy.