Hey ya'll...thanks a bunch for the info and advice. Shan- first, thanks for the email...that will be a huge help. Second, you mentioned stocking large Bluegills. Is that in place of or in addition to possibly stocking baitfish (shad, perch, etc). I catch gizzard shad in a cast net at a smaller pond on the other end of the property and use them as live bait on the lake I discussed earlier. Should I consider taking multitudes of shad out of there and putting them into the larger lake? The lake was stocked with (I think) about 200 shad probably 10-15 years ago by the previous owner, but that is the only history of any stocking or management I am aware of. That doesn't sound like many shad for that size of lake, but I could be wrong. I have tried castnetting at the larger lake and scanning the water for baitfish (as it is very clear), and have spotted only one small school in all the time. In other words...I know there is a definite need for baitfish. Thanks for helping my dream of a fishing paradise come closer to reality. Any additional advice and/or criticism is welcomed and appreciated...I am new to the management process, but I already love it.

"Only after sorrow's hand has bowed your head will life become truly real to you; then you will acquire the noble spirituality which intensifies the reality of life. I go to an all-powerful God. Beyond that I have no knowledge--no fear--only faith."