Given the probable productivity of the pond. What should the OP look for to guide on managing the LMB population in particular?. For big bluegill, the growth of the LMB would necessarily be slow. But there should be enough production to support the initial standing weight of stocked LMB. For example, if the initial total weight stocked were 4 lb/acre, this would balance with the ponds initial productivity. Growth would then be driven by LMB mortality and nutrient accumulation.
If a good estimate of the initial weight of the LMB can be made. The appropriate amount of feed can be supplemented to support any LMB biomass that exceeds what the pond can support naturally. So long as the additional feed doesn't take the pond to an excess of the desired trophic level, this would work nicely for the OP. If feed rate supporting the desired trophic status were insufficient to support the initial weight of the LMB stocking, then one could remove the weight needed to get the balance.
