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Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

🏞️ Freshwater

The perfect beginner fish — found almost everywhere, bites readily

📅 When to Fish

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○ Low◐ Fair● Good★ Prime

Habitat

Near shore in most freshwater lakes and ponds. Look for docks, brush piles, and shallow weed beds.

Best Season

Late spring through summer.

Best Times

Late afternoon through evening.

Record

4 lbs 12 oz

Ideal Water Temp

65–80°F

Small, deep-bodied panfish. Dark blue-black ear flap at rear of gill cover. Blue-green iridescent sides, orange-yellow belly. Vertical bars on sides.

Excellent — sweet, white, firm flesh. One of the best panfish for the table.

Nationwide — found in virtually every US state in ponds, lakes, and slow rivers

🎣 Beginner Tip

A small hook, a split shot, and a piece of worm under a bobber near a dock will catch bluegill almost anywhere in the US.