Hello all, long time lurker, infrequent poster here.

So we just purchased a 185 acre farm in East central KY. We were very excited about fishing as it has 1/2 mile of KY river frontage and 5 ponds, one being 2.5 acres. It turns out livestock has had access to the ponds and the 2.5 acre pond is only about 4 ft deep at the deepest. I am told the fishing in the pond was great, not buy owner, but by people who had permission to fish. I have fished a total of about 10 hours, without a single bite. All conditions, all types of bait. Fished for bass, bluegill, and cat. i have seen one carp. Also see fingerlings breaching every so often. I believe the river breached the dam at some point this spring. Is it possible the fish absconded? All of them? I had a pond built and stocked at our last farm, and after 3-5 yrs were catching 5# bass. I have been pond fishing all my life in the south, Im 46.

I want to reclaim this pond, but where to start? How do you find a pond builder that isnt just somebody with a bulldozer?
I tried the extension but they were no help really.

I know what I want, just unsure of the best way to get there.

All advice and suggestions welcome.