How long do the LMB maintain 1.25-2mm per day growth rate? My gut says there's a slowing in the winter and again when they are able to spawn / sexually mature.
Fast fish growth of non cold water fish does become gradually slowed as the water temperature drops below 60F then 50F down toward the 39F. This is because the fish are cold blooded. Growth of cold blooded animals slows as the temperature drops and amount of food the animals are willing and able to eat. Optimal temperatures for the species encourages and enables growth for fish.
Thanks Ron for sharing your information. Ron provides some excellent practical growth rate information for well fed cultured SMB and their siblings who experience "normal" pond foods and forms of regular crowding conditions that occur for many regular fish farms. Ron's overall range of growth rate numbers can IMO usually be applied to most LMB of less than one year old for similar conditions. If one can get LMB to grow at rates that match Ron's growth information consider that as excellent growth rates for LMB. If one can get 1mm of growth per day for LMB and SMB then they are doing something very good for raising fish. Any growth more than 1mm per day is IMO exceptional for sportfish..
