Bluegill
		Bluegill are one of our favorite fish to stock into new or existing ponds.  They are not only an ideal forage for largemouth bass, they are also a cherished sportfish.  They are often a novice fisherman’s “first catch”.  In a well managed pond they can be abundant and large – what more can you ask for from such an important forage fish? Most of the ponds we visit have either Northern Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) or Coppernose Bluegill.Coppernose Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus purpuresens) are a pure breeding subspecies of bluegill (not a hybrid) which are very aggressive and readily accept feed.  The fins on the coppernose have a reddish-orange fringe
	outlined with a pencil thin white border.  The vertical bars are more distinct and broader (especially in young fish).  There is a distinctive copper band across the head that is particularly brilliant on males. We like Coppernose bluegill because they tend to grow faster (especially in fed ponds), have better wintertime activity, and can help train existing bluegill populations to use feed.  Stocking bluegill in a new pond - We like to stock as big a fish as possible (8 pounds/1000) as early as possible in the fall (October – November).  The stock will contain 10-15 % redear sunfish. Stocking bluegill in an existing pond – Ponds that have depleted forage populations often need supplemental stockings of bluegill.  The bigger the bluegill, the more expensive they are. You need to know how big a fish you need to stock to keep them from all being gobbled up by your bass.  After an electrofishing survey, we custom size your bluegill for your lake’s particular needs.