Save Big onXMAS Deals.Use "XMAS15" to get big discount today
0

Your Cart is Empty

Bluegill

June 28, 2022

Bluegill

Bluegills are the easiest to catch, the smallest game fish of the sunfish family. Bluegill fish is a freshwater panfishLepomis macrochirus is the scientific name of olive-colored bluegill, while there are many common names such as,

  • Blue sunfish
  • Bluegill sunfish
  • Bluegill bream
  • Copperheads
  • Copper-bellies

Some Incredible Bluegill facts:

  • Bluegills have a distinctive feature of black spot on the edge of their dorsal fin and are also known due to their dark stripes.
  • Bluegill is a backward swimmer.
  • Bluegill can change their scale color during the breeding season as the male scales turn orange.

Bluegill Physical Characteristics:

Pc: Unsplash

Body Shape and Color:

Bluegill has deep saucer body shape covered with ctenoid scales, and beneath these scales, there are chromatophores which give different precise colors to bluegill.

Bluegills are olive green with yellow abdomen and chest, while the head and sides are blue and they have vertical dark bars.

Body Size and Weight:

They are small in size and also weigh less. The average recorded body weight is 2.6lbs, and the largest body size which is recorded is 16 inches.

Mouth and Teeth:

Bluegill has small terminal mouth with small teeth; they lack canines. They use gill rakers to filter the food from floating water. The suction system helps them to capture the prey.

Fins:

Bluegill fish have a forked-shaped caudal fin with rounded lobes, which help the fish in gaining sudden acceleration. The soft dorsal and flexible pectoral fins help to decelerate.

Bluegill Habitat and distribution:

Bluegill is likely to inhabit shallow freshwater with a lot of aquatic plants. They are present near fallen logs, underwater structures and weed beds. They can tolerate water with 1.8% salinity and 7.5 pH and a temperature of 60 to 80 °F

Pc: Pixabay

Bluegill is widely distributed in North and Central America. Along with the United States, the bluegill is also present in Mexico and Canada and has also been introduced to Asia, Europe, South Africa, and Zimbabwe

Diet of Bluegill:

Bluegill feed during daylight hours, and feeding is at its peak in the morning and evening. Bluegills are carnivores and feed on

  • Small insects
  • Crustaceans
  • Larvae
  • Small fish
  • Fish eggs
  • Water fleas
  • Shrimp 
  • Snails
  • Worms
  • Crayfish
  • Leeches
  • Algae
  • Aquatic vegetation

They feed relative to their body size; each day, they consume only 3.2% of their body weight.

Predators of Bluegill:

Pc: Unsplash

Bluegill being smaller in size, is the prey to many large fishes, birds and animals such as

  • Humans
  • Herons
  • Kingfishers
  • Otters 
  • Raccoons
  • Largemouth bass
  • Smallmouth bass
  • Striped bass
  • Trout
  • Muskellunge
  • Turtles
  • Northern pike
  • Yellow perch
  • Walleye
  • Catfish

Bluegill Fishing:

Bluegill is one of the fishes which are easier to catch and a popular fish among the anglers. To enjoy your sport fish catch, you have to know about tips about bluegill fishing, when and where to catch, how to catch bluegill and which bluegill baits are effective. 

When and Where to Catch Bluegill:

You can make a worth catch depending upon location as bluegill is present at different locations at different times. You can go bluegill fishing year-round; however, the best time to catch bluegill is the summer and spring. During this time period, they can be found near the surface up to two-six feet in depth.

Pc: Pexels

Being a freshwater fish, the best places to look for bluegill are lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers. They mostly schooled near the logs, creeks, holes, docks, bridges, weeds and other fallen structures.

How to Catch Bluegill:

If you are using the proper gear and technique, no one can stop you from catching the panfish of North America. 

Methods to Catch Bluegill:

Following are the methods which anglers use to catch the small panfish

  • Fly fishing
  • Bottom fishing
  • Drift fishing
  • Still fishing

Among all, fly fishing is the most common and the most popular method.

Fishing Gear to Catch Bluegill:

Pc: Unsplash

Being smaller in size, catching bluegill does not require heavy and big gear. For catching bluegills, you need

  • A 5-6 feet spinning fishing reel and rod
  • A light fishing line (2-6 pound test line)
  • Small hooks (No.6-No.10)
  • Bluegill baits (grasshoppers, worms, crickets, flies)

Plan your trip to catch bluegill and make your summers enjoyable as they are widely distributed and easy to catch.


Leave a comment

Subscribe