I've had smallies (SMB) reproduce in an 7 ft deep hard clay bottom pond. So gravel and rocks are not a necessity but good habitat helps a lot for creating a thriving SMB fishery. Habitat also helps a lot to allow adequate forage food to thrive in the pond. SMB will survive year after year a lot better in your pond compared to trout. Use yellow perch and or pumpkinseed sunfish with maybe golden shiners & crayfish as main larger forage food items for SMB.


aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management