Thanks for responding!

The ponds are max depth 50 feet with average of 25 feet, and ice typically will cover to 24 inches deep or a couple feet more in a severe winter. we do get to -30 C on a few days on occasion. Ice over is typically 5 months.

Turtles are painted, i believe. Need to validate.

Ponds are groundwater filled. Very high groundwater- nearly at the surface. In this area wells are 19 feet deep groundwater well and as they removed the gravel they had to pump the ponds and actually the nearby neighbor's well went dry.

Need to have someone's help establishing a Dissolved Oxygen profile. Very willing to add aeration.

SMB do very well in this region in many of the lakes to the east along the border and to the north. i love to fly fish but as i am way too busy i never get

There are two ponds divided by an earthen barrier. The smaller one is shallower and i will likely deepen by removing more gravel with a long reach excavator without pumping it down.

Deeply appreciate insight to understand the right questions.

thanks,