The sun heats them quickly and the rise in water temperature ignites the growth of plankton. That, in turn, fuels the food chain and gamefish are aroused from their cold-water lethargy. Water temperature in a pond can be 10 degrees higher or more than at larger lakes nearby. Another advantage - fish in ponds are often beyond an angler's reach later in the year when shorelines become ringed with thick weeds. But, vegetation is just beginning to grow now, and it acts like a fish magnet.
Smaller waters are also great places to introduce kids to fishing.
Ponds resemble featureless bowls at first glance. But, that's not so. They have lots of structure and cover to draw fish. For example, drain pipes, concrete bridges, and rip rap are all common pond structure. Notice subtle points and turns.