Jess, the main pond criteria is the environment of the pond. That means water quality and that comes from the soil. The soil/water has to have the proper fertility to support fish life.

Rocks and/or sand will not hold water. That means that you need loam with about 60% clay and 40% soil(dirt). Both numbers are approximates but the soil in your back yard seems to be fertile and should hold water. Not all areas there will. Contact the County Agent to inquire about soil and water fertility tests.

Even in rainy areas, you want a pond that will hold water. You can do a bucket test. Take some soil and mash it down into a bucket with a hole in the bottom. Fill it with water and see if the water leaks out through the soil.

BTW, you live on Bremerton Island. One of our members here is Dwight Bremer. He had some fairly disreputable moonshiner ancestors there that the island was named after. Or, that's what he told me.

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