Union SWCD 36th Annual Fish Fingerling Sale

What: 2023 Union SWCD Fingerling Sale

When: Pick Up Orders October 3, 2023, @ 9:30 a.m.

Where: Union SWCD parking lot located at the Union County Agricultural Center, 18000 St. Rt. 4, Marysville, OH

Click here to see the order form for details "   2023 USWCD Fish Sale - Order Form & Description

Please return the order form with payment by September 26, 2023!

Descriptions of Fingerlings

Largemouth Bass

The largemouth bass is a popular sport fish. It is native to Ohio and can be found in every county in the state.  Largemouth bass have a very large mouth that extends beyond the rear edge of the eye when it is closed. This characteristic distinguishes it from the smallmouth and spotted bass where the back of the mouth does not extend passed the eye.  Young largemouth bass do not have an orange tail like juvenile smallmouth and spotted bass. It is typically 15-18 inches and 1-5 pounds but can reach up to 26 inches and 13 pounds in Ohio. 

Source: https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/animals/fish/largemouth-bass

Bluegill

Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) are an important and abundant sport fish in the United States. They are also one of the most common species in Ohio and can be found in almost every body of water throughout the state. Larger fish are usually caught in late spring or early summer while they are spawning in large colonies near shore. They are typically 6-10 inches long, but can reach up to 12 inches, and can typically weigh less than one pound, but can weigh up to two pounds.  

Source: https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/animals/fish/bluegill-sunfish 

Channel Catfish

The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is a popular sport and food fish. It is active during the night, moving around and finding food after dusk. During the day it will most likely be found in deep water with little activity.  The channel catfish, like other catfish, has no scales, a single bony spine in each pectoral fin and the dorsal fin, and 8 barbels around the mouth. They have a deeply forked tail and the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw.  This sport fish typically weighs in at 2-10 pounds but can reach up to 37 pounds. On average, it measures 15-25 inches in length, but it can get to over 40 inches. 

Source: https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/animals/fish/channel-catfish  

Hybrid Bluegill

Hybrid bluegill/sunfish are among the most publicized and promoted sunfish in the nation.  We recommend them for ponds smaller than one acre.  Hybrids are a cross between female green sunfish and male bluegill.  When we mention the word hybrid, we automatically think of several things.  They are not a forage species and should not be stocked in lakes managed for bass.  This brightly-colored, greenish panfish has hot-orange rimmed fins, is aggressive, and readily consumes fish food.  Hybrids outcompete bluegill because their mouth is five times larger than bluegill.  They cohabitate well with channel catfish.  For long-term success, restock every few years.

Source: https://americansportfish.com/news-updates/hybrid-bluegill-good-choice-for-small-ponds-2018-11-4756

Redear (Shellcracker)

Redear sunfish, which are kissing cousins to the bluegill, are commonly stocked with bluegill in most new ponds. Redear or shellcracker are typically added at a rate of 5 to 15 percent of the total bream stocked. Redear looks different from bluegill, and they also have their own unique behavioral characteristics which we will discuss. 

Source: https://americansportfish.com/fish-stocking-2/redear-shellcracker 

Fathead Minnows

The fathead minnow is a small, olive-colored baitfish that has been used for a century or more as bait for small predator fish such as crappie. They are often called “tuffies” or “tuffie minnows” and are available at live bait stores throughout most of the United States. They are native to central North America and were originally found from Canada to Mexico. Through many decades of use as live bait, they are now found throughout most of the United States.

Fathead minnows are not only good live bait but are also beneficial in providing forage (food) in newly stocked bass-bluegill ponds. These minnows begin spawning during the early spring, often several months before the bluegill spawn, and provide a valuable food source for small bass fingerlings. Fatheads can actually increase the growth rate of bass during their first year of life.

Source: https://americansportfish.com/articles/fathead-minnows-a-great-food-fish-for-new-ponds-2010-12-135

White Amur

White Amur, also known as Grass Carp, have an average length of 2-3 feet and an average size of 3-15 pounds, which may exceed 40 pounds.  

White Amur prefer quiet or slow-moving water in ponds, lakes, pools, canals, and backwaters of large rivers and is a shy, reclusive fish species that prefers to feed while undisturbed. White Amur are easily scared by movement from shore, so keep activity and noise to a minimum and may fish 10 feet from shore.

White Amur (Grass Carp) have a white flaky meat that tastes very good.

Source: https://outdoorsman.guide/white-amur-fishing-guide/