Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations HBG age question

Not an easy question to answer because growth in Lepomis ( BG and GSF) is effected by many factors. One is reproductive maturity. When they become reproductively active their growth rate goes way down. That point can vary widely depending on food , population status , and predation among others. Another factor is latitude. The colder the climate the slower the growth rate and the longer to maturity.

With that said most HBG will under the right conditions grow to about the same size as male BG (HBG are 90+% male). By 8 inches in your area 18 mths to 2 years they are mature. They may keep growing at a slow rate for several years topping out at 12 inches at around 6 years +-. They may live even longer. They are big enough to harvest now. Just keep up with the # and add a few more each year than you take out to allow for natural morts.