Fall or early winter stockings are recommended to allow for maximum bluegill growth and reproduction before the bass are introduced in June. The Coppernose is outstanding for stocking lakes & ponds. So the growth of other fish is diminished by the hybrids aggressive behavior. Find out more about stocking Coppernose Bluegill or other fish in … Bluegill spawn multiple times throughout the Summer; from April, usually when the first spawn happens though it might happen in March for you, through September a pond could have four or five spawns. Bluegill eggs hatch at temperatures ranging from 73 to 93 ºF (23 to 34 ºC). In other words, they grow rapidly until they spawn, at which time growth slows. The maximum hatch rate for bluegill eggs occurs at 72 to 75 ºF (22 to 24 ºC); this range is similar for hybrids. Easiest fish for kids to catch. The highest specific growth rate (SGR), 2.35 percent per day, was recorded at 86 ºF (30 ºC). Bluegill fingerlings should be stocked into new or renovated ponds at a rate of 1,000-2,000 per acre from October through March. The hybrid bluegill is the result of a cross between a male bluegill and a female green sunfish, resulting in a fish that appears much like its male parent with an oval body and pointed pectoral fins, but it has a distinguishing deep yellow to orange color belly. Young Hybrid Bluegill are putting their growth into body size, not reproduction, so allowing large males to survive lets them eat the smaller fish, thereby increasing their growth rate. If they are allowed to spawn, their growth decelerates significantly at that point. Native to Florida and southeast Georgia, it has a range similar to that of the Florida largemouth bass. Hybrid Bluegill need the Minnows for food, unless you supplement daily with feed. Species scientific name: Lepomis macrochirus x Lepomis microlophus Average Life: 4-8 years Largest on Record: 4 pounds, 12 ounces, 15" long x 18 and 1/4" girth Diet: Invertebrates, Small Aquatic Insects, and very small Fish. Bluegill tend to do very well in Wisconsin in terms of reproduction and growth. The growth rate is exceptional compared to the common bluegill (native bream). The Hybrid Bluegill is a cross between a green sunfish and a regular bluegill. These fish are similar to a regular bluegill, however they grow at a quicker rate and get a larger size. Slower growth rates than those above likely mean your BG are likely not getting enough food and/or they are probably too crowded! Once bluegill are adults, proper harvest to control their numbers is important to continue growing big, feisty bluegills. The Hybrid Bluegill option is best suited for smaller ponds (two acres or less). The hybrid bluegill are more aggressive than the regular bluegill because of the green sunfish mix in them. Those fingerlings are from a late-summer spawn last year. Bluegill can mature sexually at about 4 inches long. Desirable traits of hybrid bluegill include faster growth rate and larger maximum size than regular bluegill. Hybrid Bluegill Facts. Temperature affects not only growth, but also survival. The coppernose is not a "hybrid". It also has a slightly larger mouth than the standard bluegill and will be more aggressive than its pure bluegill parent. You can catch and release these Hybrid Bluegills several times. It is not a hybrid. Bluegill will … Most often Bluegill will require some control measures to prevent excessive reproduction or stunting. Abundant food grows fish quickly. First, I want to discuss a few details about Bluegill and Hybrid Bluegill. They out compete their fellow pond inhabitants for the available food. 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