Usually olive-colored with a purple luster, greenish stripes, and a large black spot at the rear of the dorsal fin. The sides of its head and chin are commonly a dark shade of blue, hence the name “bluegill”. Bluegills are most commonly found in lily ponds and around docks and boat landings. A favorite of both fly and bobber fisherman, the freshwater Bluegill is the most popular freshwater sport fish in the U.S. and is known as a tasty pan fish (just the right size for frying whole in the pan). State regulations apply, but “keeping size” is generally the span of your hand or larger.
Wetland
The bluegill occurs naturally in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains from coastal Virginia to Florida, west to Texas and northern Mexico, and north to western Minnesota, New York and southeastern Ontario.
Spring, Summer
Abundant
Crepuscular
Bluegills are carnivores, primarily eating invertebrates such as snails, worms, shrimp, aquatic insects, small crayfish, and zooplankton.
Bluegill are most active at dawn. During the day they stay hidden under cover, and they move to shallow water to spend the night. Bluegill are social and schools may contain 10 to 20 fish.
Bluegills play an important role in pond and lake management to keep crustacean and insect populations low, as a single bluegill population may eat up to six times its own weight in just one summer.
Least Concern
