By Dan Burden, content specialist, AgMRC, Iowa State University, djburden@iastate.edu.

Revised June 2010.


Bluegill
The distribution of bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) includes most of southern Canada and the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It has been introduced throughout the United States and northern Mexico.

Bluegills prefer clear warm pools of streams, lakes and ponds, usually inhabiting shallow, weedy waters. Bluegills and related “panfish” are common and highly prized game fish throughout the United States.
 
They are cultured in private facilities mainly to provide recreational fishing or for stocking as a prolific forage fish in ponds with species such as largemouth bass. Under culture conditions, optimal temperatures for embryo development are 72°F to 81°F while 81°F is optimal for growth of adults. The pH should remain between 6.5 and 8.5 for all life stages, and although dissolved oxygen levels of less than 1.0 ppm may be tolerated for short periods, a level of greater than 5.0 ppm should be maintained.

No reliable data is available on the number and pounds of bluegill reared, stocked or harvested.

Sunfish
According to the 2005 Census of Aquaculture, 217 farms in the United States raise sunfish, including fingerlings and fry (109 farms), stockers (63 farms) and foodsize (54 farms). Commanding an average of $224.69 per pound, the total sales of sunfish fingerlings and fry in 2005 was $3.3 million compared to total sales of nearly $5 million for all types of sunfish. With 13 sunfish farms producing fingerlings and fry, Ohio had total sales of $590 thousand in 2005. Alabama placed second with 8 farms producing just under 2 million fish, which generated total sales of $425 thousand. Sales of stocker sunfish totaled $695 thousand in 2005, and sales of foodsize sunfish totaled $950 thousand.

Other Links

• Alaska Mariculture - Alaska state mariculture site includes razor clam restoration information, permit information, overviews of state production and related information from the Alaskan Department of Fish and Game.
• Aquaculture Certification Council - A nongovernmental body established to certify social, environmental and food safety standards at aquaculture facilities throughout the world. This Missouri nonprofit, nonmember public benefit corporation builds on elements of the voluntary Global Aquaculture Alliance Responsible Aquaculture Program system that combines site inspections and effluent sampling with sanitary controls, therapeutic controls and product traceability.
• Aquaculture (Domestic Production and International Trade Information), FSAonline, USDA.
• Aquaculture in Hawaii - Hawaii Aquaculture webpage, an information source and guide to getting started in aquaculture in Hawaii, presented by the State Aquaculture Development Program (ADP), State Department of Agriculture.
• The Aquaculture Network Information Center - A gateway to the world's electronic aquaculture resources.
• Aquaculture Resources - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fisheries market news and statistic summaries (aquaculture results by catch), available grants, new marine product food safety guidelines, endangered natural stocks, export guidelines for shipments to the European Union, links and addresses of many National Marine Fisheries Support Offices, and other information. Site includes information on Department of Commerce Aquaculture Policy, the National Aquaculture Act of 1980, recent NOAA Aquaculture Policy and breaking research and legislative news.
• Aquatic Network - Aquaculture topics, educational information, publications and products and services listing.
• Baitfish Production in the United States; G. Burtle, University of Georgia; L. Dorman, University of Arkansas; and L. Gray, University of Arkansas - History of the industry, overview of production systems and marketing strategies.
• Census of Aquaculture (2005), USDA, 2006.
• Aquaculture, Economic Research Service, USDA.
• FishLink.com - An Internet information and resource for aquaculture and fisheries. Contains directories, news, statistics and other related information.
• Fishing for Bluegill, Iowa DNR - How to find the best spot to fish during every season, and what type of tackle works the best.
• Great Lakes Aquaculture (Sea Grant): Aquaculture and Sea Food Safety - Overview of various programs and initiatives of the Great Lakes Sea Grant Program. Sea Grant researchers are studying several fish species suitable for aquaculture in the Midwest, including walleye, sturgeon, hybrid striped bass, sunfish, bait fish, yellow perch, tilapia, bluegill, crappie, bullhead, crayfish and a variety of salmonids. A variety of techniques are being examined, including pond culture, cage culture and indoor contained systems. The Great Lakes Sea Grant Network also has developed a regional resource list of aquaculture publications and audiovisuals for current and potential aquaculturists.
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Commercial Services: Aquaculture and Seafood - Contains leads, current and historical trade statistics, import requirements, news and regulatory information. The mission of the Trade and Commercial Service staff is to promote and facilitate trade for the U.S. seafood and aquaculture industries by expanding existing markets and opening new ones for the U.S. producers and processors.
• Permaculture: Aquaculture - Huge bibliography of written resources and links from CrescentMeadow.com, Crescent Meadow Systems, a pemaculture reference site.
• Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture - The Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program (PD/A CRSP) represents an international, multi-disciplinary effort to improve human nutrition through pond aquaculture research. The work of the PD/A CRSP benefits both domestic and international aquaculture.
• World Aquaculture Society - International society of aquaculturalists working to improve education and communication within the industry.