2017 Annual Report 43
H Y B R I D B L U E G I L L F O R U R B A N F I S H E R I E S
A new stocking program of hybrid bluegill for the urban fi shing
program got off to a great start in 2017. Staff created a cross
between a bluegill and a green sunfi sh to create the hybrid
bluegill, a cross that can occur naturally in the wild. These fi sh
then were raised in hatcheries to a catchable size of an average
of 7 inches before stocking into some of our heavily used urban
ponds and lakes. The hybrid bluegill have proven to be easily
caught by novice anglers and will provide for many opportunities
for young anglers to experience the fun of a successful fi shing trip.
These fi sh grow well in our hatcheries and often can be produced
in ponds with other species of fi sh, such as channel catfi sh, during
their fi rst year of growth.
FISHERIES
BIOLOGIST
DARYL
BAUER
CAUGHT
THIS
HYBRID
BLUEGILL.
KAYAKING
THE
NIOBRARA
RIVER.
