I too am pond building in south Louisiana. We are in a different world when it comes to pond management. I am in Cameron Parish in southwest LA and I think you are only slightly north of me across the state? If you are renovating, do you plan on starting from scratch? Remove everything from the pond before restocking or you will be feeding what is now in the pond. You will definitely see quicker bass growth with both bluegill and threadfin shad. You will have to feed your bluegill and fertilize. Fertilization where I am is the most difficult operation. Our pond weeds, mostly filamentous algae, never stop growing, and it gets a jump on you in the spring before you can get water warm enough to get a plankton bloom. My best advice has come from the local Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist. We had a problem after last years tremendous rainfall getting our ph, hardness and alkalinity right before our fertilizer would cause the plankton to bloom. My best advice is to get in touch with your local freshwater fisheries biologist, see if he has any experience in lake renovation and pick his brain! Good luck and be patient!
