If you go with crawdads for forage, make sure you plan on plenty of rip-rack along some of the banks or they may only last a couple of years as they will be easy prey without the cover of the rocks. I would recommend spreading 3 to 12" rock a foot above full pool and down as far as 2 or 3 feet below. I placed old carpet pieces down first (carpet fuzz side down - if it matters?), then put the rock on top to help keep the rocks from sinking into the mud once the pond filled up.

Another crawdad tip: Transplant them (the females in particular) early in the season when they are carrying eggs. This will boost your populations. They only reproduce once a year around here and it would be around March. You'll have to check with your local conservation department on the availability and breeding habits of your local species.

Here's a couple pics to help describe the rock piles/carpet...




Fish on!,
Noel