Thanks as always. I remember seeing a SMB pic on some larger gravel that Theo turned us on to. That "gravel" was larger rock - looked like 1-2" up to maybe 4".

I am wanting to help the SMB primarily. But I am curious about my BG situation. I put in about 50 from my other pond in very early June- most were over 4" - several 7-8". I have seen no evidence of spawning beds or BG fry. I thought I would see both.

I also added 50 2-4" BG in early June.

My pond bottom is hard shale but there is some mud/silt that washed in from the rains.

I am thinking of placing old tires and filling them with some gravel of some size, and dumping some in piles around in various places. I can't follow the advice of only placing the gravel over known BG beds as I don't seem to have any. I would like to place the gravel now as the pond has 2.5 feet more to fill so placement is easier now.

From the threads you directed me too I am concluding that the BG like the smaller - pea gravel. But if I remember the SMB pics, they like the bigger stuff. If that is the case I will go with the bigger stuff. I imagine I will get all the BG spawning I need regardless of gravel size.

2/3 acre pond 12 miles from that big pond we call Lake Erie.