The problem is that BG are such popular fish to stock that most subspecies are not distinct anymore. There are actually 3 recognized subspecies of BG.
Lepomis macrochirus macrochrius- The "native" or northern bluegill
L. m. purpurescens- The "coppernose" bluegill
L. m. speciosus- A little known subspecies, found native in Mexico and west TX and intergrades with the coppernose in AR, OK and TX.
It can be very hard to truly know if you have a "pure" strain BG population. Particularly if you are in a southern state such as AR, TX, MS or GA as all three subspecies are capable of living in these states and their genes have undoubtedly mingled. When you guy from a hatchery, even they cannot be so sure just where their original stock originates.
