Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Restoring a bluegill pond

I don't have lots of experience with adding growth to stunted BG. Keep in mind that a stunted fish is older but smaller. For it's age the lost growth will never be reclaimed compared it other same age well fed fish. A regrowing fish that was stunted will never reach the full potential size before it dies.

IF it were my pond, I would add some new BG genetics to stimulate the pond's BG gene pool. It is a tricky balance to not allow the BG to overpopulate and overeat the natural food base. It involves understanding carrying capacity and keeping the BG density low enough so all sizes of BG keep growing at their optimum. Feeding high quality fish pellets helps maintain good fast growth when BG density tends to get too abundant for the natural food production. Population management is very important for maintaining a high quality BG fishery.