Hbound,
This is going to sound very unusual and some may disagree. But if it was me with your goal, I would do one of two things.
1. Drawdown, complete kill, restock.
2. Drawdown to 8 acres. Keep every thing I could catch and recruit help catching as many of the rest I could. I'd try to keep the water at 8 acres if could for until Fall and sow sorgum or maize in the bottom. Just broadcasting it. In the fall, allow it to flood. Might take 4 to 5 years to max out the LMB but they should reach good proportions of the former pond you remember.
Me? I would probably do 2 thinking I could always do 1 if it didn't work to my expectations. 2 would save some green but 1 would probably work best. Keep in mind. You have water above that could mess everything up by seeding too many small bass.
