Thanks for the advice and the compliment on the picture. That is one of my "shy" employees *grin*. I'll get the minnows today.

Speaking of the blue gill spawning, I hate to change topic in the middle of a thread, but I would like to ask your advice on shelters.

Our pond is not very big. It is about 40 ft. long and 50 ft. wide. I've attached a picture of an aerial view. The smaller end of the pear-shaped pond is 2 to 3 ft. deep. I considered throwing in a few stones (to make a small pile) I had left over when I bordered my flower bedding around the pool.

I had been told that if we planned to use the pond primarily for catch and release, we shouldn't put in any spawning shelters.

What do you think?