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How to Raise Blue Gill Fish

Bluegill are small, common fish found throughout the United States. They are popular for game fish, because they are extremely aggressive intruders. Bluegill generally weigh anywhere between one-quarter pound to a pound and have scales that are shaded with yellow or dark blue. Bluegill, along with catfish and bass, are regularly introduced in ponds as sport fish. Bluegills also serve as a food source for larger basses. Because of their resilience, raising bluegill is a relatively easy task, if done correctly.

Instructions

- 1
  Make preparations and determine whether or not bluegill are right for your pond. To raise bluegill, your pond has to meet a number of standards. For one, suitable ponds generally have a surface area of at least a quarter of an acre. This allows the fish to have plenty of room to grow and reproduce. Your body of water must be also completely clear of any fish. Fish fry, essentially baby fish, will have trouble surviving in ponds with other fish, because they will be consistent victims of predators. If your pond does have other fish, a chemical known as Rotenone can be introduced to your pond to completely destroy its fish population. The chemical is extremely deadly to fish but concentrations will disappear within a few weeks allowing stocking, or the introduction of fish, to occur.
- 2
  Acquire fish fry. Some states will supply fish fry to pond owners free of charge. In some cases, however, fish fry are provided to people with special certifications. In Oklahoma, the Farm Pond Stocking Program, a group that provides free fry to residence, will only supply fry to holders of an Oklahoma fishing license. This rule applies to everyone, even those who are normally exempt from a fishing license. Contact your state's outdoor management agency, to see if your state has a similar program. If not, you may have to purchase fish fry. A number of companies within your state grow and sell fish fry for profit.
- 3
  Support your newly introduced fish. Your pond will not have large bluegill for at least a couple of years. Bluegill do not typically reach maturity until four years after hatching. After maturity, your bluegill will still grow, but at a much slower rate. In fact, between years four and nine, bluegill can grow as much as 50 millimeters in length. It may also be a good idea to feed your bluegill. In the past, pond owners have used dog food, cattle cubes, bread, and grain for bluegill food. Some farm supply outlets will also carry fish food. While feeding does enhance growth, your fish are not dependent on your food for survival.

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