New to natives....in time

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
D

dprUsh83

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 24, 2006
78
0
0
Edwardsville, IL
Hi all,

Before I even introduce myself, let me say that this site rules! :headbang2

The information, as well as the pictures on here, are amazing! I've read through most of the Native posts and have learned a lot. I have two questions, though. First of all, what is the process of taking a fish from a lake to your tank? Do you treat the fish as though it were coming from a store, or does it need to be treated a special way?

Also, I am saving my pennies for a 150 gallon tank. Hopefully I'll have it up and going by June. I am then going to hopefully keep natives. I am wondering, assuming the tank is empty, what fish native to IL may be kept? I know that most will work out, but I like a very busy tank and was wondering what could go in before it's pushing it a bit too far. I guess a better way to put it is, is there a resource that has tank information for natives? For example, bluegills need X gallons, whereas a channel cat needs Y.

I appreciate all of the help and can't wait to check out more of the board. Right now I have a 10 inch Oscar, and other smaller tropicals. Can't wait until I can upgrade my tank and start getting some natives! :cool:
 
Welcome to the world of natives. First tell us what you want to keep, then we will tell you what you need to be successful. I hope you enjoy MFK, I can't live without it.
 
Well I'm not exactly sure, so I suppose that is why I need to start so early. :ROFL:

I haven't been fishing in years, but lately after researching (And viewing most of the tanks on this site) I absolutely want to catch and stock my tank. I would love to catch bluegill, maybe a small bass, 1 catfish perhaps. Regardless of what I stock the tank I want is the 150, which I will properly overfilter. I was just wondering what that puts the amount of fish at. I like big fish, the bigger the better, but I know 150 will limit a lot of the bigger species. What do you guys recommend for somebody who will be fishing in central Illinois, who likes a ton of action in the tank, and like anybody who would be compelled to MONSTERfish, prefers bigger fish? :D
 
I suggest you attempt to catch fry or yearlings which will adjust to tank life readily. A bass will eventually need a tank bigger than 150, but not for a while. A catfish is nearly unkeepable in a tank and will eventually require a pond. Bluegills are a great option, I really like Pumpkinseed sunfish. They are agressive predators with great coloration.
 
well for a catfish you could try bullhead. i live about a half hour away from peoria illinois and we caught a few (about ten to be exact) bullhead fry in early summer in the local creek. what we did was look for small black catfish and when you go to grab them they will dart under a small rock or clump of algae. then just scoop up the algae or rock and you will also get the catfish if you do it right. you could also try a casting net or flyfishing if you dont mind slightly older fish. hope this helps.
 
provide that one like a little busy tank, minnows will be a good choice. most minnows are schooling, and many minnow species display colorful impression.
 
Seine or cast net. Got one? If not get one. If you want really, really tiny sunfish, go to a farm pond that isn't fished at all. Those fish have no clue what lures or hooks are and they will attack a hook without anything on them. I caught 2 inch trout on light tackle once in a creek in western PA on my Aunt's farm. I put about 20 of them in her pond. There is also a HUGE bass in that pond that would be great in a tank.

Sorry, got side tracked, but get a seine net and a friend or a cast net and a boat and hit the water.
 
I think you would really enjoy a pickerel in a tank that size...or maybe three...haha. But for real I love my pickerel he is a very cool fish the only hard part is getting them to eat prepared foods.

Chad
 
RadleyMiller;591462; said:
Seine or cast net. Got one? If not get one. If you want really, really tiny sunfish, go to a farm pond that isn't fished at all. Those fish have no clue what lures or hooks are and they will attack a hook without anything on them. I caught 2 inch trout on light tackle once in a creek in western PA on my Aunt's farm. I put about 20 of them in her pond. There is also a HUGE bass in that pond that would be great in a tank.

Sorry, got side tracked, but get a seine net and a friend or a cast net and a boat and hit the water.
Click to expand...

Sunfish fry accumulate under my dock, I catch them with a butterfly net. The one bluegill I have now was caught at less than an inch. It is 4" now, and doing well.
 
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