The amount of food each bluegill eats determines how fast it grows. If food is abundant and bluegill numbers are low, they grow rapidly. If food is scarce and numbers are excessive, they grow poorly, or even not at all. Slow growing bluegill populations are the most serious problem in Indiana fish ponds. The simplest pond management techniques focus on maintaining good bluegill growth.
Bluegills grow more rapidly in southern Indiana ponds than northern Indiana ponds.
They usually reach six inches by age four and their typical life span is six years. Some bluegills begin spawning in their first year. However, most don't spawn until they are two years old. The older they get, the more eggs they produce. A four year old female produces about 20,000 eggs.