Prediction of proximate composition in wild bluegill

Per cent dry weight and ash proximates were determined for 127 wild bluegill from Starve Hollow Lake in Jackson County, Indiana. Regression models for predicting these proximates as functions of K factor and length respectively were constructed and compared with regression models presented by MoComish (1971) for laboratory-reared bluegill. Per cent dry weight was a linear function of K factor in both wild and laboratory-reared groups, and although the regression lines had similar slopes they differed in elevation. The per cent dry weight of wild bluegill was, therefore, less than that of laboratory-reared fish with a similar K factor. Natural logarithm of ash in grams was a linear function of natural logarithm of length in millimeters and both groups were explained by the same regression model.