I live near Gate City, VA which is in the SouthWestern corner of the state about 10 miles north of the TN/VA line. In May of 2001, I stocked 300 CopperNose bluegill & 100 Redears in my 1/3 acre pond. The CopperNose spawned in late September and early October of the first year. At one point in the winter of 2001/2002 the pond was frozen over solid for two weeks. The ice was so thick that my dogs walked on it. It usually freezes completely over for at least a couple of days a few times every winter. The CopperNose have survived and grown very well with no problems whatsoever. Right now the size of the CopperNose range from 2" to 8" or 9" and the pond is full of them.
My pond is spring fed and the deepest part is around 15' to 20'. The depth near the springs range from 2' to 6' and this is where the CopperNose are found throughout the winter. This may or may not be the reason that the CopperNose have done so well, but the fact remains that they have.
Larry
