Mature blue gills?

[bhunt]

I have found a couple of lakes that have some big blue gill and redear in them. I was wondering how old and how long in length do this fish have to be before they are grown and spawn? I love eating them but I also want to protect them from over harvesting. Seems like 7-10 inch fish are what most people are keeping. I fish for catfish a lot and I know the age that they spawn and I try to use that info when I harvest them to eat. Thanks for any info

[Jeff213]

It really depends on the climate and the population density as well as available food sources for most sunfish. I've found that gills grow bigger when there are less of them though and you generally shouldn't have to worry about over harvesting with gills because of how prolific they are.

[panfishing4fun]

I was wondering how old and how long in length do this fish have to be before they are grown and spawn?

Bluegill can mature/spawn at an age of 1-2 years and I've also seen reports of 7-8 years. Like Jeff213 said, "the variables".

The Secret Life Of Bluegill> http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/bluegill.html

THIS ALSO: Factors affecting age-at-maturity in bluegill populations
D. Derek Aday, David H. Wahl, David P. Philipp

We are examining life-history decisions of bluegill in populations of different size structures. Specifically, we are examining factors that influence age-at-maturation in stunted and non-stunted bluegill populations. Previous research (conducted as part of the state-wide bluegill project) has demonstrated that stunted bluegill mature at younger ages and smaller sizes than non-stunted individuals. We are examining several potential mechanisms associated with early maturation in stunted populations, including differences in resource availability (which affects juvenile and adult growth rates), mortality rates, and influences of social interactions between mature and immature male bluegill. This research provides insight into reasons that populations become stunted, which should help fishery managers decide appropriate actions to return stunted populations to a normal size structure.

[crappielimits]

I would keep hand size up! Our lakes get hammered for bream around here and they still produce year after year.

[AUTiger]

My understanding from talking to pond consultants and DNR is that it's almost impossible to overharvest bream......

[SMITTY 58D]

My understanding from talking to pond consultants and DNR is that it's almost impossible to overharvest bream......

I have heard the same. They mostly get underharvested especially if there isnt much fishing pressure which will start stunting their growth. I heard of people netting thousands of them just to let the survivers grow bigger.

[Jeff213]

I wish I could use throw nets in the slough by my house.. there are green sunfish, bluegill, redears, crappie, and warmouth in there that dont grow longer than 3 inches. There are TONS of them there.. unfortunately its illegal to net them in California.

[crappielimits]

Jeff, you need some catfish or hybrids in that slough.

[crappiekid24]

Lots of stunted gills in the lakes around by me just to many of them. Like a 4inch average and there is pike, bass, flathead and channel catfish in those lakes. Some guys throw the small gills on the shore just to get rid of them. Probably got only 2 dozen keepers this year and 3 keepers last year ice fishing. Back to the question. The size to age really depends on how much food is in the lake and competition. The more food and less competition the more bigger gills that are 1-2 years. On lakes like the ones I fish a 8inch gill might be 4-6 years old. All depends on the lake.

[WhitePerchJerker]

How big are the lakes. Maybe you are not fishing were the larger gills are. I think taking out small gill is a good pratice, even if you are feeding them to the birds and coons.