You say once the pond fills. Do we assume that it is not full and no fish have been added yet???
Most artificial cover lasts year round and for more years than natural weeds. Depending on water clarity expect some natural weeds to invade the pond from numerous various sources or ways. This FA invasion and often weed development almost always happens early in pond aging which is especially true for filamentous algae(FA) if your water has visibility greater than 2-3ft. Submerged leafy-stem weed growth can spread and often needs to be controlled whereas artificial cover does not create more cover, however a natural attached algal-invertebrate community growth aka PERIPHYTON does develop on the artificial surfaces that helps increase the pond's productivity. IMO when adding artificial cover one does not add anyway near the amount nor the same type of cover that underwater weed beds provide. Thus you cannot expect the same benefits from both types of cover. Most artificial cover serves primarily as fish attractors and not refuge areas and food production areas unless one adds huge amounts of artificial cover along all or 50%+ of the shorelines. Those pictures above are IMO just fish attractors and not refuge - food production areas for small fish. Artificial cover types and amount are dependent on one's goals.
Pellet trained and pellet fed fish do not become feed-dependent because the fish are always competing for and feeding on natural food items in the pond. Your main concern with the fish in a 0.7ac pond is creating hook smart fish which will reduce angle catch much more than pellet feeding.
We will discuss number of LMB as 25 in 0.7ac after we know if any fish have been stocked.
Thanks Bill Cody, that's all great info, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Yes, it is a new pond that is appx 8 feet deep (at the deepest point) and is currently 2-3 feet full. No fish have been stocked in it.
