Read a little bit of this thread and wonder about some folks. My pond is only 1.5 acres and I sure as 'ell don't want strangers or unwanted people on my property. I have a lot of time and money in it. Stocking it, mowing and weed eating, built a pier, and just put 10lbs of Mozambique Tilapia to get rid of the unwanted vegetation. Yes friends, family, and the neighbor fishes it. Folks have a bad habit of leaving their trash and I don't put up with it. Smokepole understands.
Typical Texan. I haven't done a thing with my pond except fish in it since I bought the place. It's about 1/2 acre at the far edge of my back lawn 50 yards from the back door. It's got cattails and lily pads around the edges. Good habitat for the frogs and bluegills and bass that live in it. The ducks and geese and herons seem to like it too.