Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Spring time with a couple bluegill...

Have you no shame? Is nothing sacred?

I wonder if the scale's pan was like a frying pan in the AZ sun.

Sounds like Dashiell Hammett writing a Pond Management book; "Sam Spade in Desert Bluegill".

George, I think Todd said those don't look like his BG.. I don't see the nose.. I honestly have trouble telling but think it's a native bg.

Sunil, you think I ate that fish??? no way. And since it's March it was only 87 degrees so the pan wasn't hot. I only fished for about 15 minutes.

It looks like it has both native and CN genes in it perhaps...

Whatever they are those BG are true freaks of nature.

I would doubt that unless the fish is about 1.5 years old, which is unlikely. I stocked pure native and pure cnbg..

A big male CNBG would have a prominate "bar" on it's nose - as well as light colored fin edges. At lease that is what I look for but maybe hard to tell with dark color.
Mine are always lighter (and skinny compared to yours) coming out of turbid water, so easier to tell.

The problem is that BG are such popular fish to stock that most subspecies are not distinct anymore. There are actually 3 recognized subspecies of BG.

Lepomis macrochirus macrochrius- The "native" or northern bluegill
L. m. purpurescens- The "coppernose" bluegill
L. m. speciosus- A little known subspecies, found native in Mexico and west TX and intergrades with the coppernose in AR, OK and TX.

It can be very hard to truly know if you have a "pure" strain BG population. Particularly if you are in a southern state such as AR, TX, MS or GA as all three subspecies are capable of living in these states and their genes have undoubtedly mingled. When you guy from a hatchery, even they cannot be so sure just where their original stock originates.

CJBS2003, I agree in general with your statement, “When you guy from a hatchery, even they cannot be so sure just where their original stock originates”, but disagree specifically by virtue of my experience with two of the best fisheries biologists/hatchery operators in this part of the country.

Bob Waldrop of Tyler Fish Farms caught “pure” Florida CNBG from native Florida waters and personally transported them to his fish farm for brood stock. Todd Overton of Overton Fisheries can certify his “pure” CNBG brood stock as well.

As a rank amateur, I certainly do not question your credentials, but with experience, the characteristics of the “pure” Florida strain CNBG are obvious.

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=12669&Number=146774#Post146774

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=12949&Number=152054#Post152054

COPPERNOSE BLUEGILL



Found primarily in the southern U.S. Does not thrive in cooler, northern waters of the U.S.

Also an omnivore, that eats zooplankton, small fish and does quite well on pelleted feed.

High fecundity which enhances it's ability to act as a primary forage fish.

Can reach two pounds. One pound fish is considered large.


One Nice Coppernose - http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=002562;p=1#000000

CNBG variation Fla vs Ark -
http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=004532;p=1#000004

My post was not meant to say it is impossible. Tyler Fish Farms and Overton Fisheries are not the norm, they are the best of the best... My post was simply to say that in today's modern world where different subspecies have been stocked all over the place, one rarely knows for sure what genetics their fish truly have.

People have a way of dumping fish all over the place. The Johnny Appleseed affect.

My money goes on CNBG.
These photos are enhanced only with changes in brightness and contrast, and shows the copper bar and yellow/bronze pectoral fin.
Tail fin coloration is indistinct due to white background.

Aaron, next photos with your new camera try in shady area with darker background to see if bar and stripes are more apparent.
These fish are fantastic – CONGATULATIONS!

I agree George. Plus some of mine that are related to George's have the same coloration/morphology. They are not as big or fat yet but they are sure trying to get there.