Photo: Ltshears / Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Lepomis macrochirus
Bluegill
Freshwater
About this species
A palm-sized sunfish with a dark ear flap, abundant in ponds across North America and introduced to East Asia. It bites almost anything and is the classic first fish for beginners. Small hooks with worms or bread catch them nonstop.
Season
123456789101112
Depth
0 – 5 m
Habitat Spots
LakeReservoirRiver
Fishing Methods
FloatFlyLure
Bait & Rig
Small hooks baited with red worms, crickets, or bread paste fished under a bobber in shallow water near vegetation.
Edibility & Taste
Sweet, mild white flesh rated among the best-tasting panfish; excellent pan-fried in butter with light seasoning.
Similar Species
An all-black ear flap without any red or orange border distinguishes bluegill from pumpkinseed and other sunfish.
Record Weight
2.18 kg