FishinRod - Can’t say with 100% certainty now but it looks like most of the dirt from the pit is going to end up in the dam. We can definitely manipulate the bottom contours but I’m not sure if it will raise the average depth in this part of the pond by much. I do think a steep hump or two with some tall cover on top like you suggest would work well. I assume these would be little island that LMB would use? Sounds like HSB may be indifferent?

Total surface area is looking like a little over 11 acres. Unfortunately this area was hit by a severe wildfire in 2012 and there are very little mature trees that survived and are within the shoreline. Makes for easy clearing work but not a ton leftover for cover hence my idea for the old deer stands. The frames are still good metal and could sub for a large tree well with some additions to them.