Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Raising 2lbs BG in forage pond

How does one go about raising 2lbs (12 inch) BG?
Is it likely to do so?
About how long would it take to get them that big from say 2"-3"?

How large of a pond MINIMUM (surface area as well as depth) would you need for them to reach this size? I imagine when they get larger than say 8" they would eat the smaller 2" babies.

What would be the process of raising such large BG?
Just feed them, keep the water aerated and letter rip?

Not a pro here but, IMHO, a 2 inch BG is way beyond the mouth gap of an 8 inch BG. The 8 inch BG might target new hatch BG. If you are talking a BG only pond, IMHO I would stock single sex BG or HBG and feed high protein pellets.

Here is something you might be interested in.

Arizona pond

That's the million dollar question.

Lots of info in past issues of PondBoss magazine, but if I were to narrow it down I would choose the march/April 2011, the Jan/Feb 2014, and the classics, Mar/Apr..May/June...and July/Aug of 2006 as absolute necessities for those serious about growing their bluegills.

It's a little more complicated than feeding, aerating, and buying a scale. Genetics, timing, predator/prey ratios, management of aquatic plants, all have a role to play in the equation.


2lb bluegills are achievable, but not commonplace. There are a couple forum members that I have my eye on however, as serious contenders for the honor.

specialty ponds

Another resource on small ponds

Saw that guys small backyard pond before but didn't remember.
I won't be close enough to pay enough (daily) attn as he (probably) does.

I've been telling my wife I need to take a quick vacation ASAP before the summer really gets started and I've love to see this guys pond in person.


I wonder if he gives tours?


My family has fished all types of waters for all types of fish but some of THE BEST fishing we've always had in friendly competition and family bonding is going for those BG!

I knoooooow that's what make it such a deal when we get anywhere near close to one.
Anything over 1.5lbs looks like a alien/martian fish
Although under 2lbs we still appreciate them more than a 10lbs bass

My grandma fished from 3 to 83 and the first and last fish she caught was a bluegill!

Like a day or two ago I just read this thread and all the threads under it and even searched users names. Stayed up til 3am reading stuff!!!

How to do it?

Short answer is to have the best water quality possible, stock the BOW at a rate that they don't ever want for food or miss a meal and make sure that they don't see a lot of stress that might put them off of their feed.

Couch potato fish, not racehorse fish is what you're after.

Long answer on how to do it? That'd take a book. It's all here on the forum, just not consolidated into one place. I doubt that you will be able to reach your goal without feeding the fish a good quality food, multiple times per day, every day that the water temp is above 55°F to 60°F. Unfortunately, the more food that you throw at them, the more you have to monitor water quality.

Also you want to keep reproduction to a minimum or not happening. Newly spawned fish compete with older fish and detract from the growth of the goal for the largest fish. BG to two pounds is possible but not easy nor commonly achieved. It takes special efforts and high quality stocker fish.