Trainwreck,
Bill will have some good info for you. I wonder who he got the idea of stocking only female perch from? :p
Deeper the better of course for long hard winters, but if cost is a factor you could get by with only 8 feet if you aerate off to the side in shallow water during the winter to eliminate the possiblity of winterkill. You could also remove snow in strips, but knowing the UP that could be a never ending process.
I personally would go with a steeper than 3:1 slope to reduce weed growth if your soil allows your banks to stay intact. My banks are at least 1:1.
BTW I'm suprised the DEQ is letting you dig in a low swampy area. I've heard nothing but horror stories about them from fish farmers in Michigan. You must have lucked out!
