Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

Natural-history illustration of a bluegill with a blue cheek, dark gill flap, and orange breast
Reviewed species illustration. Confirm your catch with current state identification resources before keeping fish.

Bluegill are the classic American panfish — colorful, abundant, and eagerly willing to bite. Found in virtually every warm-water lake, pond, and river in the eastern U.S., they're the first fish caught by most young anglers. Named for the bright blue patch on their gill cover, bluegill display orange-red bellies during spawning season. Though small (most weigh under a pound), they fight hard relative to their size and are outstanding table fish.

Catching Tips

A red worm or small piece of nightcrawler under a bobber is the classic bluegill setup — hard to beat for sheer simplicity. Small jigs, spinners, and tiny crankbaits also work well. During spawning season in late spring, sight-fish to beds in 2–4 feet of water with a fly rod and dry flies or poppers.

World Record

4.75 lbs
Weight
Ketona Lake, Alabama
Location
1950
Year

No stocking events recorded yet for Bluegill.