For those of you in states that have laws on the books regulating what you can harvest from your own privately owned ponds, you might want to consider getting an aquaculture permit. The permits are usually fairly inexpensive, and must be renewed annually, but they remove all those "pesky" harvest regulations, as they essentially change your fish from "wildlife" to "livestock", which also changes the regulation of them from your conservation department, fish and game, etc. to your department of agriculture instead. As long as you provide a receipt/bill of sale to guests who fish at your property and take fish home, they should be well within the law, with or without a fishing license... and regardless of creel limits or slot restrictions.

Something to keep in mind, however, is that this MAY result in new restrictions that you must abide by. For instance, some states require you to pay a self-reported tax (usually per pound) on any fish food purchased. Water quality regulations can become more of a concern regarding any discharge waters. Certain fertilizers, liming, alum, pond dyes, copper treatments, etc. could potentially fall under an entirely new set of rules when applied on your property, subject to EPA and FDA rules and state specific rules.

It's just a matter that has to be thoroughly researched state-by-state to fully understand.

12 ac pond in NW Missouri. 28' max depth at full pool. Fish Present: LMB, BG, RES, YP, CC, WB, HSB, WE, BCP, WCP, GSH.