I think this is a good place for advice on this topic because a lot of us have done lots of both types of fishing. As for me, like DIED I have an adequate boat and I have a pond. I do both. Before I had a pond I fished as often as I could but it was never enough. I chose not to live on a lake due to the high taxes we pay for such property. When I want to explore big water I go to a public lake. When I want convenience and/or solitude I fish my own pond. I fish my pond almost every day. I fish public lakes 4 or 5 times a year. If I had to give up one or the other I'd give up my boat. There's nothing like fishing my pond. I think what really is attractive is that it is private and it's the fruit of my own efforts. Also, I can fish my pond without leaving home. I can fish for an hour without losing 3 hours of time with my family. D4B has some of these advantages with your co-owned pond so I'd say you have the next best thing. It would be my second choice to a my own private pond.
