I have noticed in the ponds/lakes where I fish(ed) in Nebraska that the smaller gills (stunted) seemed to make their beds in the shallower water where I could see them easily, and the larger ones made theirs out further and less easy to see. I could easily catch some off of the closer beds and in theory diminish the number of stunted gills and their progeny.

Nice looking stringer there. Looks like a fun time and a good meal after.