Welcome IAHawkFisher, Lots of good info here. It would be good to know the water depth due to I think all of Iowa has pretty harsh winters with ice on pond(s). Deeper pond may/could help fish survive better than a very shallow one, all things being the same in both ponds.
I looked at your google pic and the first thing I think I see is two houses with possible access to the BOW. Might raise an issue with managing the pond, if that is the case.
You did say you did not know how the pond stays full, and that would be important to know. If it is filled with runoff then that is one thing. If you need to fill a 3 to 6 acre pond with a well pump then that is a completely different story. A spring and or creek that flows 24/7 is another completely different story.
You said that it was an expensive in your mind already, and as mnfish stated the pond will pull money out of your pocket.
I have a small pond filled by runoff and well water. It costs about 140 to 160 dollars per month, on average, to keep mine the way I like like it, if that helps you any. My pond is about 1 acre, aerated, fish are feed high quality fish feed, tilapia and a little chemical FA control.
Now that some Idea of the cost to take care of "the baby" you may want to buy is better understood, I hope You can read a lot here on PB, go to the PB book store and Buy "A perfect pond, want one" or other books that might interest you and make as informed decision BEFORE yo pull the trigger so to speak.IMHO
For me the cost is worth it and I would do it again in a heart beat. But depending on what you want it may cost or even be expensive to reach your goals, once you know what you really want/ can do.
I am in the South and others will for sure comment on the fish you want to stock and manage. Good luck and let us know what you decide, or not, and why so others can learn for your decision making process.
