I was hoping someone out there had some experience with ponds of their own. I would like to clean out the algae slop and plant some pads or hyacin (sp) in their place. Also, how do I set up the bass there with plentiful forage.

How big is the pond? I had two two acre ponds, one for rearing fry, the other for growing bass & crappie to catch and eat. I managed the vegetation with sheets of heavy black plastic moved around to block sunlight for a few weeks in any one spot, then once enough area was deadened I lowered the pond by pulling boards out of a gate dam and planted what I wanted in there. Staple the edges of the sheets to 2"x2" lumber strips with simple anchors attached. I worked 1/2 acre per year as needed. every winter I also put Christmas trees out bundled with oak tops anchored with cinder blocks.

You would be wise to get specific stocking advice from your local county agent of a university Cooperative Service (free, all states have them as far as I know) to match species and numbers of fish to your area, water condition, and available forage. They sometimes give out stocking guides for your state. You might have to stock some forage to support the resident fish population.

Jim