Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Redear Sunfish

Will redear sunfish survive the winter in eastern Iowa? The only fish hatchery around here that sells them picks them up from Arkansas.

The ones that I have from Arkansas have survived three winters in Michigan.

Yes, my guess is that you'll have good luck depending on how far North/South you are. Obviously the further North you go, the greater the risk of losing some in Winter. We have them all over Nebraska - and there are several thriving populations around my farm in Lincoln -including two of my ponds.

I don't think you mentioned anything about buying fish from a truck, but when you mentioned Arkansas I thought about my experience buying from Arkansas Pond Stockers truck at a farm store in Lincoln. I would caution anyone about buying fish from the truck. If you do, take plenty of time about IDing fish prior to stocking. Unless you're okay with HBG or BG in your fishery - when in doubt, don't stock it. Often times BG or other species are unintentionally mixed in those truck tanks. I am the unhappy owner of BH in my main pond due to a FHM order from Ye Olde Fish Truck despite careful hand sorting, at least two escaped my attention. That's what can happen hand sorting through 10# of FHM.

Hartley's in Kansas sells RES and may ship them. I received fish from them and they were reasonable and 100% RES - no foreign fish mixed. Or you can check your DNR for public waters stocked with RES around you and float tube for them in the Spring and early Summer. They readily take a 1/32 oz jig and crawler nub combo fished just off the bottom.

Thanks for the information. The place I talked to was Jim Frey Fish Hatchery. They look reputable. The web site is http://www.jimfreyfishhatchery.com/ He drives to a hatchery in Arkansas with his own truck and picks them up.

Only benefit of fish from Hartley's in KS is they are acclimated to a little colder winter than AR. Does that make any difference? I have no clue. Coach's RES in MI are from AR and have done well, so that seems to say you'd be safe as we're both definitely South of him.

We are here in walford IA and the redear are doing really well. They are on year 2 in our pond and have been going to town on the snails. Many of the lakes east of desmoines have a lot of redear in them. They do well to keep your snails in check. Go for it they won't eat pellets but they fight even harder then the gills. Neat to see as well. Where is your pond at in eastern Iowa?

Thanks for the help. I just ordered the redear today. The pond is a few miles southwest of Williamsburg.