I think I saw this discussed on a show or I read about it in a Kentucky fishing mag. I think that the problem is that the water in a pond in our area typically stays much warmer then in a creek or stream. With the water being warmer the fish won't spawn and therefore it won't support a smallie population. Based on what I remember (I used to drink often and a lot so take that into consideration) if you catch one in a creek feed pond it could be there from the recent high water or just visiting for a short time before it goes back up stream. I could be wrong on this as well.