I typically have cleaned out my 3 yr old pond in the spring, fall and
once in the summer. I no longer have any tree near my pond and haven't
cleaned it out since spring. There does not appear to be a lot of
debris in there other than the typical. Does it really need to be
cleaned out before winter?

I cover it with a pool cover (leaving room for air to enter/exit) and
heat it to keep it from freezing. I am just thinking that a natural
pond never gets cleaned out and if mine looks fairly clean, is there a
need. Yes, I am being lazy. I also don't like stressing my Koi which
inveitably happens.