Originally posted by Theo Gallus:
I would definitely get some Redears. They may be "iffy" in Kansas, but if they make it in your pond I think you'll be glad you have them. I have found that they grow and are caught on live bait as well or better than Bluegills, plus they occupy a slightly different niche than BG. Toss in Snail control and it's a go.
Michigan DNR has had success getting RES established as far North as at least halfway up the lower peninsula. They have a .pdf publication titled "Redear Sunfish in Michigan" (or something like that, I don't have it on file at work) available on-line which shows where their RES have made it versus the number of average frost-free days in a year (Michigan has a high number of those for their Latitude since they're "between the lakes"). You might compare that with your Kansas climate to help make the decision.
Theo,
How many of those waters are deep natural lakes vs. smaller ponds that are subject to faster temp changes? I'm convinced redears in the northern end of their range survive only in deeper natural lakes where fast temp changes to cold water are buffered. I believe redears are stressed by cold temps but fair better if the water cools down slower as in big bodies of water. Additionally larger deeper bodies of water offer more of a warmer water refugim in winter albeit relatively warmer by on a degree or two.
