I am pretty sure redfins will spawn in ponds. They do occur in ponds and lakes. Populations are low where LMB and/or chain pickerel are present. Where large predators are not present they can be both the apex predator and the dominate biomass. Like any primary predator they self limit and control their own numbers. In combination with minnows like GAMs, Red shiner, mudminnows, killifish, etc I think they would be a very fun fishery for pan sized fish up to 15". With enough fishing pressure, I think you could easily grow state record sized fish. I think if you were combine a lepomis, RES would be better than Pumpkinseed due to lower reproduction.
So these used to be very popular in the Southeast in the past. Here are some interesting reads since you expressed interest:
http://txstate.fishesoftexas.org/esox%20americanus.htmhttp://www.northcarolinasportsman.com/stories/ncs_mag_5808.htmIn the second article he explains how to eat them removing all the bones in one easy step.
Like chain pickerel, redfin pickerel have Y-bones in their skeleton. But there’s no need for extreme means of cleaning and filleting redfins.
“I just scale, head and gut redfin pike like any panfish,” he said. “Then I fry them. Once they are cool enough, I hold them upside down in the palm of one hand and reach down through the rib cage with the other to pull out the backbone. All the other bones come right out with the backbone, so all you have left is great tasting fish to eat.”
