Welcome back Josh! glad to have you back. While you were busy and away we heard more from and about fellow MI pond owner Ron Crismon and his amazing ponds hosting YP and SMB. His fish are pellet trained and he has fantastic reproduction going on and may be able to help you out earlier this fall or spring. SMB are easy for him to produce in any size class when you need them. He is south of GR in the vicinity of Allegan.
I would say focus on getting the pond complete and only put forage in yet this fall if you have time.
Save YP stocking till right at ice out if you can get them from Ron and perhaps you will get bonus free YP egg strands being laid after stocking in your pond which would get you well on your way to have your first new generation of YP already in your pond right away.
I would second the idea of not using GSH at all or saving them till their numbers can be controlled by at least SMB as a predator or SMB plus another predator.
You can get Walleye from Stoney Creek up by Grant, MI up to a certain date in the fall, check with them. If you can only get them in the fall then maybe a few WE would have to go in the pond this fall.
