Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Green sunfish making me rethink my plan, opinions

Levon – I’ve dealt with GSF problems for over 40 years. With proper predator management GSF can be controlled in ponds. Testimonies here indicate that when the LMB population is “strong” and numerous or “normally balanced” the GSF population numbers are significantly reduced. I agree. My experience shows SMB will also do a pretty good job of controlling GSF. LMB hunt in the main habitat areas preferred by GSF. GSF tend to be secretive and prefer shallow dense cover and or rocky areas so they can be secluded. LMB can hunt GSF out in dense shallow cover and reduce their numbers while GSF are on the spawning nests. Plus, as noted, when other BG are present BG recruitment over time typically outnumber those of the GSF.
I strongly dislike GSF due to their aggressive behavior eating fish fry, their large mouth gape and slow growth. They have a tendency to overpopulate when LMB numbers are reduced or unbalanced. Small GSF can eat large prey items compared to other sunfishes. For a PBoss conference presentation, I measured the mouth size (gape) of many GSF. Up until GSF are around 6” long their mouth size (vertical and horizontal) are the SAME dimensions as the mouth of an equivalent length LMB. GSF are big aggressive predators for their small size.


Hand Painted Bluegill

Edited by Bob Lusk: Reason for edit. Deleted Bill Cody's truthful comments about these fish due to a threatening letter from non-named source latest attorney claiming libel or slander. I don't have time nor desire to deal with it. Cody's statements were true, but now they're gone. Ain't nobody got time for dat.


PBoss discussions dealing with HPBG

https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=279801

https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=476980

https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=482043