05-17-2003, 09:40 AM
[cool]Hey, Aaron, Utah is a cold state, with a short growing season and not much "bluegill chow" in most waters they inhabit. Throw in some overpopulation problems in some ponds and you don't get many bluegill over "hand-sized".
Pelican Lake is far enough away from major cities that it does not get abused too badly, although they have had to keep dropping the limits as more troutaholics discover bluegill. The lake is fairly shallow and full of vegetation, since there are no carp in it to tear it up and destroy the habitat for spawning and nursery. The greenery also provides nutrients and shelter for lots of aquatic insects...prime food for bluegill growth.
I have taken bluegill approaching 2# from Pelican, and have heard of a few over that size. But, the warm waters of southern states usually produce the biggest fish. The world record is over 4#, and there are fish taken every year between 3 and 4.
My personal biggest bluegill came from Lake Cachuma. It weighed just over 3 pounds and took a six inch purple plastic worm I was tossing for largemouth. During that same week, I also caught an 19# channel cat on the same worm...using 6# line.
I'm glad you are fortunate enough to have big bluegill waters within easy distance. A lot of dedicated bluegill anglers would drive across the country to have a shot at a 2# bluegill. Enjoy them, Rambo.
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Pelican Lake is far enough away from major cities that it does not get abused too badly, although they have had to keep dropping the limits as more troutaholics discover bluegill. The lake is fairly shallow and full of vegetation, since there are no carp in it to tear it up and destroy the habitat for spawning and nursery. The greenery also provides nutrients and shelter for lots of aquatic insects...prime food for bluegill growth.
I have taken bluegill approaching 2# from Pelican, and have heard of a few over that size. But, the warm waters of southern states usually produce the biggest fish. The world record is over 4#, and there are fish taken every year between 3 and 4.
My personal biggest bluegill came from Lake Cachuma. It weighed just over 3 pounds and took a six inch purple plastic worm I was tossing for largemouth. During that same week, I also caught an 19# channel cat on the same worm...using 6# line.
I'm glad you are fortunate enough to have big bluegill waters within easy distance. A lot of dedicated bluegill anglers would drive across the country to have a shot at a 2# bluegill. Enjoy them, Rambo.
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