scsims,
I look at this a little differently. Yes, the techniques listed above are good, but I think it depends on who is looking at the pond.
If you call in a specialist/consultant, then they probably need to do the electro-survey to give you good inputs.
For the average pond owner who frequents their pond often and observes carefully, you never need to do electro-shock. In fact, careful observation coupled with fishing is all you ever need to do.
I did not learn a single thing from electro-shocking that I hadn't already observed...except that electro-shocking is something I would never do again.
Our ponds speak to us. They tell us what is wrong and right. We just need to listen to them carefully and act on what they tell us.
