Have a new pond filling now, its about 3 1/2 acres an I have about 1/2 an acre or so of pea gravel/planned spawning bed that'll be from 18-36" deep

Total pond depth is 19-20'

rain run off water that feeds the pond comes into this spawning area.

I've noticed already in a cold spring this year that I have algae/moss (I need to learn the technical term for that slime) where the pond is fed in the shallows. I know this area will get sun and plant growth will be a challenge. Can anyone give me any tips on what to plant or put there so I don't have a giant cattail corner?

I'd love lillies or something for fish cover that'd give the smaller fish a safe place and yet allow myself or the kids access with a bobber and a worm for panfish and that kind of deal.

The pond is not quite full into this shallows area, but it will be in the next few weeks.

Sounds like a beauty, Roy. Congrats on the new pond!

Are your shorelines packed clay, or fertile topsoil? How fast you have to compete with nature filling those spaces will affect your choices to some degree.

You can get Hardy Lilies that have many different colored flowers that won't spread rapidly like Spatterdock or White Fragrant Lily. There are different varieties for such as dwarf, small, medium, and large spread for different water depths.

Not a lot of topsoil. Although I'm sure some will wash in from the uphill side. Top soil was scraped down hill and returned primarily to the dam/bottom side of the pond.

If that is the case, you should be able to easily experiment with several different plant choices for your pond.

See what does well and plant some more a few years out. Anything you don't like, hopefully you can eliminate while it is just a small patch.

Good luck on your pond project!