Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Creating the food chain When do coppernose become mature?

By mature I mean able to spawn? I want to purchase what will spawn NOW, this year, I read that 3 inches they become mature, but well I`m a little sceptical on that. What` s the truth?

Even 1"-3" bluegill, if stocked in a new pond will spawn if they've been through a winter season.

If you have an existing pond then stock at least 3"-5" fish.

By the book they mature at about 3", but 1"-3" fish grow so fast in new ponds that they'll spawn soon after stocking.

If I stocked 2 1/2 in. RES. in Nov. in SW Miss. pond, should they spawn this spring?
tnx

BM, I stocked 1 to 3 inch in the early spring and I got a spawn within about 60 days.

I stocked 1-2" bg in late Oct of 04. They spawned prolifically last year. The pond is full of multiple sizes of juvenile bg now.

BM :

Sorry I just saw your question. Yes your RES should spawn this spring. I would guess in about 3 weeks +- end of March if no huge cold rain event. Keep an eye on the water temp. (65) and the moon phase. With air temps in the upper 70s later this week things should be on time. My guess actual spawn , possible- March 14+- 3 days (full) or , more likely- March 29 +- 3 days ( new). In our ponds the LMB are starting the move to shallow water. LMB may be on the beds at the same time as RES -- what a neat sight to see. This year pics. to post.