Steve- Getting brood stock bgill from a local lake will be okay. Do you know any local lakes or places "noted" for larger bgill" (8.5" to9"+)? Maybe ask at some local bait shops. Ideally you want good genetic stock that has "large size" genes. If caught in May guaranteed spawn in June for MI waters. Sexes will be pretty easy to recognize when caught in May. I can send you some sex recognition stuff. email me.
