JD - Growth of YP as with many fish is highly dependent on proper food availability (proper size and abundance) and competition with other fish (same and other species). As exceptions I have seen YP at 8" long with eggs at 12 months old, including a normal central Ohio winter of 3.5months. This meams the fish was very close to 8" long going into winter at 6.5-7 months of growth in water above 50F (Mid Apr-end Oct). Note these large YP were the fastest growers with optimum food availability. However most YP in the water body of the same age would or willbe 3"-5" long in the same growth period and similar temperatures. Also in this year classs there can be some 2"-3" and some 5.1"-7.9" ers. If one has this spread of size ranges, usually the smaller ones are males and larger ones are females. I hav also seen where YP are crowded and lacking good food resources that almost all of them are 2"-4" long at 12 months old. These fish when food limited then only grow to to 4" to 6" in their second year of life. It can take the 3rd year for many of them to get to 7" to 8" long. This last growth pattern is typical growth of YP in many water bodies. This slower growth is usually due to the YP having to compete with many other fish for the same food items. This slower growth and smaller slender body shape make many of the YP very vulnerable to predators for the first 3-4 yrs of their life.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 09/10/10 09:07 AM.
