Identification
Look for a small mouth, long pointed pectoral fins and an entirely dark ear flap. A dark blotch near the rear of the soft dorsal fin is another useful clue. Vertical body bars may be faint, and hybrids can combine traits from more than one sunfish species.
Size and Weight
The reported maximum total length is 41 cm, about 16.1 inches. Alabama lists a 4-pound, 12-ounce Bluegill caught in 1950 as a world rod-and-reel record. That equals about 2.15 kg; the rounded 2.2 kg species-summary value should not be inflated into a different, heavier record. Maximum length and record weight are separate observations.
Habitat and Natural Food
Aquatic plants, brush, docks and other cover offer places to feed or shelter. Small invertebrates dominate much of the diet, while larger fish can take snails, crayfish and small fish. Bluegill may feed at the surface during insect hatches and move deeper or into shade during the day.
Bait and Fishing Methods
Garden worms and crickets are established choices. Use small hooks and bait portions suited to the small mouth. Small spinners and flies also work, particularly when fish are actively feeding. Fish near cover while leaving enough room to retrieve the rig without repeatedly snagging.
A Colony of Shallow Nests
Males fan depressions in sand or gravel and guard the eggs after spawning. Many nests may occur close together. Numerous small Bluegill do not necessarily mean a productive trophy fishery: crowding and food availability can limit growth.
All Lakes With Bluegill
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Bluegill records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
Showing 1–24 of 37,582 lakes · Page 1 of 1,566
- 13 Reservoir Washington, WI
- 144 Reservoir Dodge, WI
- 20 Reservoir Jackson, WI
- 28 Tank Yavapai, AZ
- 3 Reservoir Adams, WI
- 4-B Farms Reservoir Marion, OR
- 6 Reservoir Juneau, WI
- A A Rauchfuss Lake Caldwell, NC
- A L Chaffin Dam Butte, CA
- A M Tucks Pond Greenwood, SC
- A One Lake Apache, AZ
- A Reservoir Baker, OR
- A S Smoak Pond Calhoun, SC
- A S U Lake Watauga, NC
- A W Dale Lake Montgomery, AL
- A. J. Jolly Lake Campbell, KY
- A1 Site Worcester, MA
- Aabajijiwang Flowage Price, WI
- Aalvic Wahtum Skamania, WA
- Aamodt Dairy Reservoir Clackamas, OR
- Aarhus Reservoir Marion, OR
- Aaron Mercer Reservoir Polk, OR
- Aaron River Reservoir Norfolk, MA
- Aarons Lake Columbia, OR