I think the ponds you're talking about are going to be part of the new Riverfront Park in Windsor, which will open to the public late this year or early in '05. They are loaded with fish. The big one to the north, where a hole is cut in the fence, is also dynamite but won't be part of the park. I caught 6 fish there for around 26 lbs in August or September of '03.

The Russian River is loaded with smallies, but they do have tackle restrictions - I think you have to use single, barbless hooks for much of the year. Sonoma has a lot of smallies, too, & the dam area & in towards the marina has quite a few. Good luck!