To obtain larger sized RES I suspect that you will have to go angling. Since RES do not readily accept artificial fish foods they are not as easily and efficiently raised as BG or HBG. To grow larger RES one has to sacrifice space for a less productive fish. Most hatcheries will not do this due to money issues. Thus it is very difficult but not impossible to locate hatcheries that sell juvenile to adult RES. I know of a hatchery in Ohio that sells RES up to 10" long, but that hatchery is one of the exceptions. The hatchery manager grows these large RES in several fairly large, relatively shallow ponds that are drained once a year and contain a mixed fish community. Larger fish are then sold for pond stocking. Not very many small hatcheries have 10-30 acre lakes that are used as produciton ponds.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 03/08/08 09:34 PM.
