How large will they get...and will they or are they surviving in Illinois (norhern climate) winters? Are these a favorite of some of you? What are your favorite species sub-species of BG?

CNBG are a Fla. BG subspecies. They would not do as well as regular BG from your area in an Illinois pond all other things being equal.

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=002562;p=1

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=003546;p=1

IIRC, Lusk says that they pretty much don't survive in water cold enough to ice over.

The red ear are probably one of my favorites. Not alot of great spots around my neck of the woods to catch them. Hopefully one day I can get them established in our pond.