I would do the sides but not the bottom. When one of my ponds dried up, grasses took over. When it rained again, the grasses rotted and turned the water a nasty looking black. It stayed that way for a year. I tossed in some bluegill and they stayed alive but didn't thrive or spawn for a couple of years.

It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.

Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.

Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa