Can You put lilly pads in a stock tank and a creek? If so can someone tell me how to get them started and how to do it?

I would be very careful about what you put in your tank. It can become way more trouble than it's worth. Especially if you have a fair amount of water less than 4'. Some "lilies" can completely cover a small pond.
With that said, All you need is a small section of tuber from the species you select. Plant the tuber in shallow water and cross your fingers.
Here's a sample of the extensive root system. All you need is a small section of this that has growth on it or has the growing tip.

In time you will have flowers like these, these are nymphia species, there are multiple types and hybrids. But again I caution you, they can really be a pain when you want to get rid of them. And I'm not sure about introducing them to a water body that is not totally contained to your property. You may want to contact your local ag agent?

Okay well thank you and the creek starts and stops completely on our ranch. um we're just trying to create some vegetation that will help protect our fish from cranes each stock tank is over a hundred yards long and the shallowest is six feet. do you have any other suggestions for this?

Instead of something as invasive as lilies, you might try some shoreline emergent/semi aqautic plants. Taro can give the same effet as the lilies, with big elephant ear leaves hanging over the water. Pickeral rush is good, and either powdery or giant thalia makes for good shoreline and/or shallow water habitat.

there are many other types of emergent vegetation that might work as good habitat.

Bret's right on, if cover is all you want you may do better than lilies and Pickerel Rush is good. I don't usually recommend taro because it's non-native. I do like Thalia but it can get to 5' tall and may make it difficult to access the lake from the shore.
Golden Cannas, Iris, Spider Lilies, Smartweed (good for ducks), and Lizards tail are a few other choices.

Paint Rock Texas, do you have any water left out there?

Foreman, when you say "cranes" are you talking about Great Blue Herrons or what?

Yeah its been raining a lot! all of our creeks and ponds are full. And they're like grey cranes.

And we're probably just gonna put perch and catfish out there so yeah which ever plant y'all would recommend for protection and food, and if y'all could tell me how to get it started that would be great. cause i don't want something taking the ponds over.

How big is the tank and how big/long is the creek?

tank is about 50 yds. long and 6 ft. deep and about 10 yds. wide.
the creek is 250 yds. and when its full completely 30ft. deep in most spots we just had it cleaned out during the summer. and the width varies from 6ft. to 20 yds. hope that helps