The following paragraphs briefly describe the desirable fish species and their characteristics to help you better understand fish populations. Adult bass eat mostly fish, but they also eat large insects, frogs, and crayfish when available. Bass spawn once a year, usually beginning in late March in eastern counties and as late as June in western counties. Largemouth Bass Bluegill. Broad, dark vertical bands can sometimes be seen on the sides of the fish when it is in the water.
Bluegills prefer to eat insects but they also sometimes feed on small fish.
Their growth rate depends on the amount of food available and the number of fish in the pond. Bluegills spawn frequently from May through October when the water temperature is 67-80 F. Because they produce such large numbers of young fish, they are the primary food source for largemouth bass. Bluegill Redear Sunfish. The redear is primarily a bottom feeder, eating mostly snails and insects. Its growth rate is similar to that of the bluegill, but redears typically reach a larger size because they are harder to catch.