Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations New to me older pond

I think I posted this in the wrong section so I'll try reposting here. I just purchased 65 acres with an established 20+ year old pond that's about 3 acres. The average depth is probably 6' with a nice shallow spawning cove and some 15' water near the spillway. It's in northeast Arkansas in the foothills of the Ozarks. Right now it has BG that are stunted and appear to be hybrids reverting back. It also has some black crappie and some LMB but most are stunted. I think my only choice is renovate the pond but time and money are both of concern since there's lots of other work needed on the acreage (dozer work, stands, food plots etc.). So my question is can I apply hydrated lime to it without pumping it all the way down and if so would it cost a fortune? My concern with pumping it down is being able to apply the hydrated lime to the bottom since this seems more difficult than than applying it to the water. And also the amount of time it will have to stay down before it dries enough for me to access it and then the amount of time it will take to refill. My goal is to stock coppernose bream and shell crackers and LMB and try to raise big blue gill. I have 7 & 8 year old boys and they love to fish as does my wife. So I'm looking for suggestions on the fastest way to renovate as cost effectively as possible.

Welcome to the forum and good luck.

I can not offer any advice on killing the pond as the refurbs I have done involved draining them and digging them out.

Be careful with hydrated lime. None in your eyes and protect your skin. Very caustic.

Rainman is the resident hydrated lime guru with several others having considerable experience. I will leave it to them to answer your questions.

Arky, I am right up I-55 from you in St Louis. Treating a full pool with Hydrated lime is easier than a lowered pond. It is NO fun trudging through a couple feet of muck pulling 75-100 pounds of hose to spray lime over the basin of a lowered pond.

Hydrated lime is fairly inexpensive, and highly effective, but will kill most all plant life along with the fish.

Your area is not really the best climate for Coppernose Bluegill, and in a "normal" winter, most will get killed under ice. I'd suggest going with Northern Bluegill and take advantage of the slightly warmer temps and longer growing season, plus knowing under ice, your BG are doing just fine.

FYI, Hydrated Lime has to be mixed well and sprayed all over the pond and basin to work as wanted. You can't just toss in the powder. Restocking can be done in about 2-3 weeks once the pH had dropped back below ~8.5

Thanks Rainman!