Not having any luck finding adult bluegills in Virginia or nearby. Most of places withing driving distance only have fingerlings (even if they advertize big ones).

Any suggestions?

Maybe head to a local lake with pole and worms? Lake Orange? Know anyone with a pond with bluegills?

Wait until mid summer when they will be more plentiful. Same thing for me when I was looking to add some larger gills to my NC property earlier this season.

Solitude Lake Management

Have you reached out to these guys?

No - they seem to be more about pond management than providing stock.

Still probably worth a phone call.

Thanks for the suggestion

Never got a response from that outfit.

Drove up to Zetts in WVA and picked up 275 4"-5" bluegills Sunday - weather was perfect for transporting - around 71 degrees and overcast. All seemed to survive the trip. Zetts had them nicely packed up and ready for me on arrival.

What did they cost?

2.50 ea - he threw in 25 for no charge (charged me for 250). The prep was nice with the fish packed 25 to a bag placed in heavy duty cardboard boxes with a couple frozen water bottles to keep them cool (11 boxes total) - no extra charge for the boxes et al.

It is great that you was able to find some.

Yes - the key was talking to Mr. Zett himself. I was suprised to find out that they do NOT pellet feed their fish - they live off the natural food in the ponds. Had hoped to get some bigger fish but in retrospec these fish are probably the best option - too big for all but a couple bass in the pond to eat and all young fish that should be spawning next spring. They were all pretty consistent size wise - about 4.5" to 5.5".

Update: I've been had feeding the bluegills for last couple weeks. As none of fish were pellet trained at first only a few small bluegills seemed to be interested in pellets. Interest has picked up and now I have good crowd of bluegills gathering around the dock with the bulk appearing to be the recently stocked Zetts bluegills. Also have a good sized bass that is hanging out to attack distracted feeding bluegills.

Have you seen the FishWagon? https://www.fishwagon.com/index.html
I know they deliver in southern, VA.

I'm trying to find someone that will sell golden shiners to me in my area. Need some variety for my LMB's other than just bream.

Just sent them an email to see if they are making any central Virginia deliveries.

I wouldn't mind picking up some more bluegills and a few bass fingerlings.

I have bought stock from the Fishwagon for years. Generally, they dont have anything but fingerlings. Their stops are normally at Southern States Co-OP locations.

My favorite supplier in recent years has been Southeast Pondstockers from Curry, NC. Except for grass carp, and in cooler months Hybrid Striped Bass, they too generally only provide fingerlings. Their stops in Virginia are usually at Tractor Supply locations.

Regards,
Ken

Frederick County, VA
Hampshire County, WV
Brunswick County, NC

Thanks for the info. I'd consider stocking more small bluegill in the spring once the weeds add a lot of cover. I'm thinking they would be easy pickings for the bass in the fall/winter once the weeds start dying.