Given average conditions, how long does it take a pond bluegill to reach eatin' size? I'm looking for a ballpark figure...1 year after being born, 2 years...etc.

3 to 4 years of age . . . if you mean around 8" in length.

This assumes that the body of water they live in will support full growth potential.

They double in size from age 1 to 2, then add around 50% over age 2 to 3 . . . most are fully mature by age 3, then the length curve starts flattening out.

As with most animals, genetics will determine how big they eventually get.

Gosh, I've seen those videos of absolutely huge bluegills. Some are so fat, they are as round as dinner plates!

Brad

100 Percent right! Water conditions and good food sources are the two most important parts in Bluegill growth.

It all depends on conditions....conditions of the water and food supply and weather.

In my ponds, I can generally hit 8 inches the second year and 10 inches and up thereafter. Above about 10 inches, nature gets really selective about which fish continues to grow. Best one I've grown and caught went just over 13 inches and I estimated that fish was in its fourth year.

Now, at the other extreme, I've seen ponds that were over 50 years old without a single bluegill over about 4 inches...yep, it really all depends.

I should add "type" to that list of things it all depends on.

For example, I have raised hybrid bluegills to 10 inches in one growing season...documented with photos...but little growth after that. Red ears appear to me to be slower growers relatively speaking and greenies somewhat faster. Copper nosed are just steady and top out the highest of the bluegills, IMO.

Wow! From a fry one year to 10" in year two would be off the charts. I certainly can't say for sure, but I don't think it would occur often in nature owing to competition balances.

For sure, though, if panfish are managed, likely with supplemental feeding and culling, you could get really nice fish faster.

The 4" largest bluegill syndrome is very common: too many fish per acre, not enough predation/fishing pressure/not enough food. It'll stunt their potential.

You see this in home aquariums where someone is holding gold fish, for example. It'll be limited in its size just by the smallness and fish density. If you take the same fish outside and put it in a gold fish pond, it'll grow much larger.

Most of the private lakes for anglers who then pay to fish there "manage" their fish in myriad ways. Tom and I fished a series of private lakes in Oklahoma in the fall of 2015 and we were not allowed to throw back any bass less than 14". That culling works very well.

Brad

Ive netted two giants on the Brazos in the late 90s below PK dam. I mean huge

Interesting thread.

I'm very blessed to have my own stock pond in the back yard. It's 22' deep but all but dried up due to prolonged drought. It overflowed once the rains came and I stocked it with these awesome hybrid perch. This photo is a 1 1/2 year old. It was maybe 1 1/2" when stocked. Keep in mind that I feed heavily and often. I just love to watch them boil the water. I also eat a few when I'm not full on crappie or catfish.

Very nice fish Sir.

Thank you Sir! I'm proud of my fishy's.

You have every right to be proud. That fish is a TANK. Awesome job for managing your pond.

Mondo SLAB

Yes! That is one really healthy looking fish! Whatever you are doing, keep it up.

Brad