Quote Originally Posted by davisd9 View Post
I think this is what I am going to do. Hopefully drain some water off then clean up some of the trash stuff, maybe a little smart weed as well since it is covered in it. Want to make a little more open water and give a variety of food sources. Will probably bait if hard right after the season through beginning of March, got to be careful for turkey season as I turkey hunt the property here and there. Then I will install a leveler and see what I can get done this summer.
I think this is the right plan, it's what I've done at my place and I'd do it again. Install the leveler, drain it down during the summer so it's dry, clear out what you can, spray, burn, etc. You might be surprised what will grow naturally if you drain it down and expose the mud....I certainly was. Another benefit to the leveler is that you can drain it down this spring and put some wood duck boxes up in the right areas.

I've also been planting oaks around the edges.....willow, gobbler sawtooth, pin, water oaks.