Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Size for Bluegill Spawning Areas

I was wondering if anyone has a good suggestion on what size or shape to make for BG spawning areas. My lake is down about 3 feet and I was planning on placing a geofabric down and then 3 to 4 inches of pea gravel. I have been reading up on the Forum about lining the parameter with concrete blocks to keep the gravel contained. My question relates to size of spawning area. Should it be long and rectangular, circular, or another shape. Have read that the biggest males tend to stay in the middle of the spawning area. Appreciate any suggestions.

Consider semi-circular. Cement blocks are a good idea for the perimeter. Some of the design - shape will depend on the placement area. IMO BG will utilize any shape of area as long as it has gravel sand mix. Size is IMO pretty much related to how big the pond is. Expect some beds to be made in 6" of water; most will be in 12"-2.5ft deep.

If the area is a small area I expect the beds to be slightly more crowded in a small spawn:surface area compared to a large ratio of pond surface area to spawn area. Number of adult BG will also have an effect on optimum spawn area size. BG are known to crowd their spawning beds together - beds almost touching each other. RES prefer less crowded bedding areas. BG recruitment could be reduced by downsizing it into a small spawn area. However with a too small of an area the biggest BG will dominate the best area and smaller mature BG will seek out other marginal areas to make beds. Making too small of an area would be like trying to keep teenagers from dating.

Is there a "rule of thumb" for how much area per surface acre should be provided for BG spawning beds?

There are likely too many variables for a dependable "rule of thumb" for this topic. In my opinion and experience for most ponds if one has 4%-6% of the surface area as a sunfish family spawning area that would be more than ample for the average sport fish pond.

Thanks Bill. I know there has to be a balance somewhere and I know there is always "It depends." You have provided at least a "in the ballpark" number. I worry that shallow water for BG spawning beds also equals shallow water for unwanted vegetation to grow.

Considering one successful BG nest of a 8.5"-9.5" female can produce 40,000 to 48,000 eggs, the average pond does not need very many BG nests! Thus a large area for BG spawning is not really needed.

Bill, thanks for your knowledge and insights. Since these beds all won't go in this year, I might experiment on size and shape.
One follow up question, would it be good to place some brush, habitat, cedars, etc.around or near the parameter to provide areas of protection after spawn? Or will LMB just take up an ambush position?
I guess that is really two questions, thanks

A line of thick brush ( xmas trees) about 30 ft from the beds will aid in survival of BG fry/yoy for a time. During that period many will get bigger and provide more forage. A good idea.

Thanks for confirming an idea to help those young fry larger!

Dense cover as long as it is not a small amount is always good refuge for small fish. The larger amount the better it becomes. Too little dense or more open spaced "fluffy" cover just becomes fish attractors and ambush spots for predators. Keep your true goals in mind when creating cover. Are you trying to catch fish or protect them??

When establishing dense cover as protection areas think of and try to imitate the size and composition of weed beds either dense such as eel grass, milfoil, american and other common pondweeds, or more sparse open area weeds beds such as lily pad stems or bullrush stands. You can't beat the natural refuge areas of weed beds for small fish such as fry to 2" fingerlings.

Stake beds have proven to be good types of cover, but remember the larger the stake bed and more dense the stakes the more it becomes a refuge for small fish and less of an ambush area for predators. The refuge area will be typically shallower and a fish attractor will be located in deeper water. Watch small fish habits they prefer shallower rather than deeper locations.

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/missouri-fishing/105557-stake-beds/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqU5JTkbOTo
See this very good article about stake beds.
http://magnoliacrappieclub.com/articles.asp?ID=4