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Fish Identification

Bluegill

Windsor Nature Discovery
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Bluegill
Fish image provided under agreement from Windsor Nature Discovery, LLC. Fish image created by Ron Pittard.
Common Name: Bluegill

Scientific Name: Lepomis Macrochirus

Fish Family: Centrarchidae

Other Names: bream, brim, sun perch, blue perch, blue sunfish, copperbelly, blue bream, copperhead bream, red-breasted bream, bluegill sunfish, roach

Bluegill Photos:

For more Bluegill photos visit Lake-Link's Photo Gallery.
Bluegill caught by Damien Parish Bluegill caught by scott swanson Bluegill caught by john nelson Bluegill caught by Sierra Bauer Bluegill caught by Jason Weckerle
State Fish For: Illinois

Distribution:

Bluegill occur in all three drainage basins in Wisconsin (Lake Michigan, Mississippi River, and Lake Superior). Originally it was not present in the Lake Superior basin, but as a result of widespread stocking, it is now present and reproducing in many lakes and rivers.
Spawning:
Spawning takes place from late May to early August (peaking in June) at water temperatures between 67-80ºF. Males select a sand or gravel bar that can be hollowed out to form a nest. Before and after spawning, the male bluegill defends the nest aainst all species, but most vigorously against other male sunfishes.
Angling Methods:
Plain garden worms are the favorite bait for bluegills, but they can be caught on a number of different types of lures. The fly fisher can have fun with poppers, especially in spring and early summer, when nests are concentrated in shallow water. Most large bluegills are taken in deep water during the summer months by drifting with the wind using worms. Wintertime jigging in the weed beds with grubs or mousies on ice jigs also produce excellent results.

State Bluegill Records:

  • Illinois State Record:
    3 lbs 8 ozs caught by Darren May caught on Farm Pond on May 10, 1987.
  • Indiana State Record:
    3 lbs 4 ozs caught by Harold L. Catey caught on Pond on January 1, 1972.
  • Iowa State Record:
    3 lbs 2 ozs caught by Phil Algreen caught on Farm Pond on July 1, 1986.
  • Michigan State Record:
    2 lbs 12 ozs caught by Gary Saylor caught on Vaughn Lake, Alcona County on January 1, 1983.
  • Minnesota State Record:
    2 lbs 13 ozs caught on Alice Lake, Hubbard County.
  • Wisconsin State Record:
    2 lbs 9 ozs caught on Green Bay on August 2, 1995.
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