Thread: Blue Gill larger than in the past

I would agree with that theory, also maybe the bluegill are feeding on the small shiner.

Originally Posted by pop

My theory is the bass and pickerel find the golden shiners more desirable and are leaving the bluegill alone and they are growing larger. Does my theory hold up? Pop

No, the bass and pickerel thin out the bluegills, so they don't become overpopulated, underfed and stunted.

I think it's a combination Pop. The Shiners are an easier prey for the predators and Bluegill will eat them too. One of my best jigs is tyed to mimic a Pond Shiner and we catch everything on it especially big Bluegill.

They aren’t leaving the bluegill alone, they just have less pressure now. A lake that size should have more than one forage species especially since it has two voracious predatory species. And the bluegill are probably eating small shiners so that aids in growth. Is there good cover in the lake?

No the lake does not have good cover. In the past the association has used chemicals to clear out a lot of growth due to lake front property owners complaining. I don't know why they complain, it is against the rules to swim in front of the homes. I have thought of putting Christmas trees on the ice to drop down when the ice thaws, but; they would probably charge me with littering. Glad the pan fish are bigger now. At one time the crappie were good, but not so much now. Will start stocking some crappie this year with what I catch elsewhere. Pop

Just FYI; I read here a few years back that Crappie need 100 acres or more or they can overpopulate and stunt. Christmas trees and a small boat could make a good piece of structure at about 3 am.