Sara :

Welcome to the PB forum. Dave has provided good basic advice. I will add a number of specific links below on some of the questions.

general stct. info methods:

Below is a link to the new Habitat Manual from the Southern Division of The American Fisheries Society. It is a great resource for info on and building of cover/stct. I think you will enjoy this and get some ideas including drawings/pics.

http://www.sdafs.org/reservoir/manuals/habitat/Main.htm

Also there is a new Aquatic Vegetation Manual linked below

http://www.sdafs.org/reservoir/manuals/aqveg/veghome.htm

If you have water depth fluctuations or will fish in fall through spring (as well as summer) then some deep cover is good. I like cover that goes from the bottom at 15ft all the way to or near the surface in a few locations.

Pallets as stct.

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000132

Xmas trees as stct.

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000083;p=1

Gravel for BG spawning

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000124

Rip-rap as stct.

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000134

Rock for LMB spawning.

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000120;p=1

Tires as stct.

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000138

Sand for spawning.

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000115

General stct./cover ideas

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000016

Oak trees.

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000008

Pond pics. stct.

http://photobucket.com/albums/b165/ahvatsa/

thermocline and islands.

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=001578#000005

There are hundreds of threads here on stct. and cover. The above are a few good ones many of which have links to additional material and even better pics. Get the PB mag. and the PB book on pond mgt. and ask all the questions you like and we will help you through this. Ponds are great fun.