Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations purchasing bluegills

where can i buy bluegills?
i amin wisconsin

You can familiarize yourself with Pond Boss approved suppliers on our resource page. There are several hatcheries listed there. Plus, several companies in Wisconsin are listed...even though they aren't hatcheries, they know everyone. Also, I would call Stoney Creek and The Pond Guy, in Michigan. They have an ad in Pond Boss, where you will find their numbers. There's Keystone Hatchery in Illinois, and others not coming to the front of my memory right this moment.

I have gotten fish delivered from a hatchery in Dodgeville Wi. named Dullen. I do not have a phone number. They do deliver and have cooled and aerated trucks.

I had the name incorrect it is:Gollon Bait & Fish Farm 5117 State Road 191, Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-2098. We have had 2 seperate deliveries made to us & the fish are real healthy and a nice size.

I've been trying to find native bluegills for three years in Michigan with no luck, only hybrids available. I'm hoping to get some from Minnesota this spring.

Wisconsin suppliers:

http://www.wisconsinaquaculture.com/Search_For_WAA_Members.cfm

Michigan site to find or inquire about a regular bluegill suppliers:

http://www.michiganaquaculture.com/

Steve,

I found a supplier of bluegills (not hybrids) in northwest Ohio. It's Ridgeview Fin Farm. He's about 2 hours east of me (Ligonier IN) I have had 350 in a floating cage all year and they are great looking fish that feed on pellets really well) If they make it through the winter (sunk the cage) I will get many more this spring.

Not sure if Ridgeview hauls, but maybe the owner Bob Hesterman knows someone that will.

http://www.ridgeviewfinfarm.com/

Both state DNR's have a list available for private suppliers if you ask for it.

Thanks Cecil,

I had a contact in Minnesota (West Central Bait), which apparently hauls fish all over the midwest. The number that I want is small potatoes to them, but they were willing to sell a small number of adult fish last year if I would meet their semi-trailer on the route through Michigan. I'll call Ridgeview and find out what they can do. Hoping to get 6-inch fish, if possible.

web page

Steve -- I live near Ridgeview. He should have plenty of 6" bgill this spring. He does haul fish to ponds. It may be cheaper for you to travel to get your own fish unless you have a larger order. It is a good idea to call and preorder or reserve the fish you want. Sometimes certain sizes sellout fast. Bob Hesterman does sometimes go to Laggis Fish Farm in Gobbles MI to pick up fish. He might work something out with you for a delivery.

Bill:

That sounds great if I can make it work. Laggis is only 45-minutes from me. I'd be a 3-4 hour drive to NE Ohio. Could fish that size make it 4-hours bagged with O2? The main question would be how many to add? I was thinking approximately 50 adult fish for a 2-acre pond. I had written a summary of the pond history under the long thread entitled "15-acre Pond".

Thanks for the suggestion

Bagged fish of the larger sizes can easily make the trip 4 hrs with oxygen added to the bag and if fish are not too crowded in the bagged container. I have done this 4 hr trip often. Hesterman will know how many to put in each container based on fish size, amount of water, and water-air temperatures. Always remind him how far you have to travel. Hauling during cooler weather is best.

Cecil & Bill, made the trip to see Hesterman this morning. Took about 3.5 hours. Was pretty impressed by his operation. It was the place to be at about 9AM. Ended up getting 125 BG and 25 RES. The RES were huge, all well over 6" with about half pushing 8-9". The BG varied with a few 4-5" fish, which were immediately hammered by my 15" LMB (nothing like a 7-hour drive to get bass food). Many of the BG were nice 6-7" fish and I ended up with one breeder that was probably bigger than any BG that I've ever caught (pushing 10"). The fish seemed to make it OK but they were a little beat up from banging together. Hope they recover. If I'm lucky we'll get a productive spawn this year for the first time. Thanks for the suggestion.

Also brought back 250 crayfish