I don't have to worry about ice at my location, and I am glad that I don't have to worry about my bluegill possibly only spawning once/yr. I have kind of a forage pond above my main one. It is nothing but clay, 30 degree banks. I stocked it with minnows, bluegill, and about 10 CC, two years ago. We just drained and sained it. Found all 10 fat cats, no minnows and several times the original weight in bluegill of 1-5". The smaller the fish, the higher the quantity. We also found about 6, 6" saucer shaped nests clumped together on a flatter part.
So they do reproduce well in clay. But in my main pond, they will have pressure from predators, so I want to make it as easy on them as possible.
