[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Since my pond is new, I decided to add some FHM spawning habitat. I got the idea from an old publication from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension called "Baitfish for Fun and Profit in Maine". Our house is being built, so I took some scrap untreated 2x6 and 2x8, laid them out on the patio, laid a piece of plastic string (poly electric fence) over the top and stapled it in place. I put 5 of them in the pond in 4-14" of water with a wooden stake on each end to keep them in place. I suspect they may mimic a lily pad (which I thankfully do not have). I may go down there with a battery operated grinder and wire wheel and rough up the underside so the eggs adhere better.

I haven't seen this particular publication referenced on here before but it has some useful information that is worth sharing. It has chapters on GSH, FHM, white sucker, long nose sucker and rainbow smelt cultivation. Although I have found that links on here often don't work well, here is the web address to where I found it:
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/230047592.pdf

My pond water is still settling out and is therefore more turbid than it will eventually be. Although I have read that FHM are tolerant of turbidity, mine seem particularly attracted to the in flowing water. I suppose it's also possible that I'm seeing more of them there because it's clearer there. I suspect that although they are tolerant of the turbid water, they still probably prefer clearer water.

Besides the runoff from the natural drainage, I discovered a few small springs that were bubbling up. The photo doesn't give perspective unfortunately, but they are about the size of a baseball. Should I try to cap these with compacted clay so they don't become the source of a leak? At full pool, they will be about 6-8' under water. If so, any advice on how to do so? It seems that springs can be a blessing or a curse, and I'm a rookie so I'm not sure how to decide between the two.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. This is such a great forum with such a wealth of knowledge.