In northern ponds the HSB can live at least 20 years. There is a pond near me with two remaining of 18 originally HSB stocked back in 1989. These 2 fish (with SMB) are not regularly fed pellets (once a week if lucky) thus growth was not real fast over the last 20 years. The fish appear to be healthy and are still active when attacking pellets. However, the fish are fairly big. I estimate them to be 28"-30". They survive by being very hook smart and whenever they fall for a rare hook they break the lines of the unsuspecting and surprised anglers.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 09/12/09 11:07 AM.
