Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Need fish I.D. Help

Weather man says going to be in 50"s here in Indiana saturday. So last nite my boys and their buddies decided let"s go take the boat and go to gravel pit and catch a bunch of big bluegills for the pond. I really like doing this with the boy"s, but the problem is this pit has hybrids bg in it too, and want to stay away from them. Was wondering if anyone new of best way to I.D. between the 2 or a site that shows good pic's. We can easily catch 50 - 100 adults bg out of this pit and these high schoolers love to compete against each other. Please help me before Sat. morning. THANKS

P.S. Cecil, This pit is the one that Roy Burkel caught the Indiana state record yellow perch (2lb 8oz) out of back in 1981, is what the old man that owns it has always told me. AND CONGRADULATIONS ON CATCH

A pure strain bluegill will have a completely all black "ear" or opercule flap. If there is any margin or thin boarder membrane on the back or lower edge of the ear flap other than black it is probably a hybrid or green sunfish. Others can refer you to a website with good pictures. I can email you pretty good pictures of bgill (male & female) and hybrid bgill if you send me your email address. Our ponds that had open water, are froze up again this week, do you still have open water?

Thanks Bill that should be pretty simple way to tell the difference. We'll just fry up the ones that aren't all black.

Great articles in PondBoss two editions back on this subject with pics,check it out, Ted

A good way to check the coloration of the ear flap is to slide something thin under it or pull the gill away from the opening. I wish the site had an instant insert picture code button at the at the Instant UBB code section.

P.S. Cecil, This pit is the one that Roy Burkel caught the Indiana state record yellow perch (2lb 8oz) out of back in 1981, is what the old man that owns it has always told me. AND CONGRADULATIONS ON CATCH[/QB][/QUOTE]

PO you better not be catching that fish's older sister! I'm biting my nails as I'm bringing in some friends to fish the pond on Sunday the big perch came out of! Watch me regret it!