Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding Effect of Bluegill pellet feeding

Here is a bit of info I thought interesting.

Because fish growth often is limited by food availability, supplemental feeding is a logical tool to improve the condition of fish in small impoundments as the energy cost for bluegill to feed on pellets is small relative to the high caloric intake, which can be 4-5 times greater than those fed natural foods (Schalles and Wissing 1976).

Very interesting and helpful information. Go pellets! It seems that the higher quality pellet food (Aquamax) is a more logical wiser choice if one is trying to produce trophy BG.

ewest:

I wonder if those figures are still accurate due to the age of the study. I wonder if the high protein, easy digestibility food that is on the market today was available back then.

I noticed a marked difference in BG growth switching to AquaMax from 36% floating catfish food in the past year.

esshup the difference you noticed I bet was in large part a result of the protein source difference between catfish food vs. AM (plant protein vs. fish meal/oil).

So far I have not read the study just others' analysis of it. I think that the major point is that energetically the BG don't have to expend energy eating pellets while regular foraging uses significant energy. As a result the net energy gain from eating pellets can be 4 to 5 times higher than normal foraging. This is the first time I have seen the difference quantified. Higher/better sources of protein may also make some incremental difference as well. There are of course possible negative aspects to fish relying to much on just pellets.

Ewest
I’m a Senior Mechanical Project Manager, which just means I have a little more goof off time to read the form. I’ve been reading Brue and your comment on growing big blue gills and pound of fish per acre. I have copied and printed this info for my guide line. With my little pond setup for kids fishing the BIG BASS is not going to be any where in my plans. Fifty pounds of bass per acre with the right water quality is a good bench mark I’m going to use. Next year I’ll take from the pond any bass over 15”( they are 9 to 11” now) which should be about 2 pounds. I have added straight gill to my group of hybrid and will again next year I’ll add some more try to get to a pour gill line of fish. The gills right now are about 6 to 7” Question how long before they get to 10”. Note they are feed better then maw maw feeding me. Twice a day with the high protein feed. Some of the smaller bass have been seen eating too. Now to my other question. With me keep 25 to 30 bass 2 pound are smaller, and taking all the gills 8 to 9” or smaller. How many bill gills will my ¾ acre pond support?
Again I love this form keep me young in though anyway. Body kind of going down hill but that just all the miles I’ve put on it. Thank for the held.

MR - With your feeding schedule and type of food, you should see 7"-8.5" maybe a few 9" BG by the end of this summer providing you have good broodstock. Fall 2011 expect some 10" BG. A total of 300-400 lbs of total BG per acre is very realistic. With aeration and good feeding the total could be around 500lbs/ac with an allowable annual harvest of 50-80 lbs/ac. I would slot harvest the BG of 7"-8.5" and females; releasing 8.75"-9"+ males. Others are very welcome to advise.

cool that'll make some good fishing for my grandkids 14" bass 10" gills That will work out about right I have about 300 to 400 gills stock now with about 100 small bass. Dang this oldman doing something right. thanks

Bill has good numbers for southern waters. My BG are 2 yr. from stocking. I just caught some husky would be mamma's and a really chunky male(est. 10", 1 1/4#), which I released. Been feeding the hi pro stuff, except when feeders malfunctioned. Will get some feed produced today at the mill, tomorrow and set up my brand new tx hunter feeder. Caught 1 female w/o eggs last wk. 9" and 13 1/2 oz. Not bad for just coming out of winter. Of course, no camera. Will get photos when grandkids come in Late Apr. or May. LMB are still self trained feed hogs. I attribute it to the high protein feed.

BTW: the big male was a straight BG; I have both CN and regular.

That is great progress Burger !!!

I agree with Bill's assessment. I would add that you could easily see some 10 inch BG this fall. I have seen a few people down here (using a Bruce like program) grow 12 inch CNBG in 18 mths from stocking at 2-3 inches (roughly 20 mths old). They (CNBG) grow faster in optimum conditions and have a shorter lifespan than (BG)up north. Keep in mind that in the vast majority of cases the limiting factor on both BG and LMB growth is lack of food.