Renovation took the better part of a month and when the 2 feet of muck were removed we found that the entire bottom is limestone "plates" that had obvious fissures where the water was percolating out.
After total removal of sludge, the 28000 sf was covered with a foot of good, clean clay and then 45000 lbs of bentonite was spread over and ground in by tiller and dozers. In the last couple weeks I have had a couple well pumps dropping about 3000 gallons a day in and had a couple good storms feeding it through downspouts and runoff. About 5 feet in the deep area and aerator running.
Turtles have returned, bullfrogs are at it and the tadpole population is astounding.
I'll post some pics or video when I find a good source for picture hosting. PB is a goner.
I'd like to get (at least) some forage introduced asap this fall.
Question: If my future objective is to have LMB, BG, HBG, and CC, should I just load it up now with minnows and wait for spring for other species or also introduce the BG and HBG now?
Jones Fish will deliver right to my pond later this month for free with a $300 order. I don't think it will be hard to get that covered with a good base of forage.
I have some large stumps we placed and some PVC structures but there is no plant life yet.
I lost everything when we drained it, loads of BG, both large and small. Many LMB were caught and transplanted to other ponds but many were not so lucky.
Having a fresh start is exciting, but I'd like to get a balance started now.
I've been reading through posts about plants and getting restarted but having a chance to get it started this fall would be such an advantage.
Thanks for all the help, this forum has some very knowledgeable folkd who have "been there, done that".

Sean