do people eat bluegill and crappie?

[1toughfish]

do people eat these fish? i always see them on the stringer so im guessing they do...never heard of it though. anyone got any recipes for these fish?>thanks

[trout guy]

Originally Posted by 1toughfish

do people eat these fish? i always see them on the stringer so im guessing they do...never heard of it though. anyone got any recipes for these fish?>thanks

yes they do. coat them, fillets or field dressed, with an egg wash and either flour or crackers fry in butter and enjoy.

[cst]

does taking a stringer full of bluegill put a dent on their population, there are so many of them but can they really reproduce that fast?

[trout guy]

Originally Posted by cst

does taking a stringer full of bluegill put a dent on their population, there are so many of them but can they really reproduce that fast?

took this info from: http://www.ifishillinois.org/science...egill_spec.htm

"The bluegill reaches its greatest abun¬dance in clear well-vegetated lakes but also occurs in swamps, ponds, and in pools of streams of various sizes, especially large rivers. Bluegill reach spawning age in from 2 to 3 years. Spawning occurs between April and September, starting when the water reaches about 70o F.

Male bluegill build nests just prior to spawning activities in water from 2 to 6 feet deep over sand or mud bottoms. Many bluegill build nests in large groups along the shoreline which can easily be seen by anglers in waters of moderate clarity. Females lay between 2,000 and 63,000 eggs which hatch within 3 days following fertilization by males. Bluegill may spawn several times and lay eggs in many nests. Males guard the nests and protect the young until they reach about ½ inch. Young bluegill travel in schools in deeper water and in aquatic vegetation to avoid predation by other fish.

Bluegill eat a variety of small aquatic animals such as insects, crayfish, small minnows, snails, and worms. Active bluegill feed at dusk and dawn. Larger individuals move inshore at dawn and again at dusk to feed, while remaining in deeper water either suspended or associated with weed edges near deep water."

[cst]

thanks, but that didnt answer my question

[trout guy]

Originally Posted by cst

thanks, but that didnt answer my question

they breed like mad and in huge quantities taking a stringer home wont harm the population.

[FishSlayer]

I dont think there is a limit on Blue gill and Crappie is there? I have seen photos of that Marjere woman in WON with HUGE stringers of both, she owns a tackle shop in LA some place I think...

[trout guy]

Originally Posted by FishSlayer

I dont think there is a limit on Blue gill and Crappie is there? I have seen photos of that Marjere woman in WON with HUGE stringers of both, she owns a tackle shop in LA some place I think...

depends on the lakes. some places have a 5 fish some 25 and some unlimited. most places have a 25fish limit.

[FishSlayer]

I mean the California DFG imposed limit??? I dont think there is one right?

[cst]

so if i take 5 3/4 pound or bigger fish a week for five months, would the fishing for the 3/4 pound and bigger fish be worse or the same?

or if i take 10 fish a month, every month.

[trout guy]

Originally Posted by cst

so if i take 5 3/4 pound or bigger fish a week for five months, would the fishing for the 3/4 pound and bigger fish be worse or the same?

or if i take 10 fish a month, every month.

depends on the size of the lake and the population of gills the lake. look at lake perris tons of huge gills have been taken out of there for years and the fishery is still strong.

[benofeily]

Originally Posted by FishSlayer

I mean the California DFG imposed limit??? I dont think there is one right?

Look for Sunfish in the DFG info. Bluegill are a type of sunfish, so that is what they are lumped under. The general rule is no limit, but some specific lakes have limits.

As for info on how much you could take without hurting the population, you might try calling up one of the DFG biologists. They might be able to give you more specific information, or at least direct you to someone who can. I used to work for them, they are pretty good guys. Mike Guisti works specifically with Diamond Valley lake. I know he would at least know who to ask.

[cst]

thanks for the suggestion, i'll call before the next time i go bluegill fishing.

[DementedFish]

I'll stick to eating pie.

[fishinkid]

cook them like a trout or in some butter garlic and hot chiles