DescriptionDescriptionThe Bluegill is the first fish that many of us catch . . . it's the one that gets most of us "hooked" on fishing. Whether known as "bream", "sun perch", "blue sunfish", "copperbelly", or your favorite name, they are likely the most popular of all fishes. Used as an introductory species, Bluegill are now found in every US state.
Like their panfish cousins, Bluegill prefer quiet, weedy waters, such as ponds and small lakes, where they can hide and feed. Larger fish are usually found in the deeper water, with smaller fish nearer shorelines protected by overhanging or submerged objects. They generally begin to spawn in late May or when water temperature reaches about 67 degrees. In some areas, spawning may continue until August.
Bluegill eat insects, small crustaceans and some vegetation. Mayflies, dragon and damselflies and caddisflies are familiar to them, so small patterns imitative of these insects are quite productive. They are primarily day feeders, with mornings and evenings being most active. These fish have a lot of spirit when fly-caught, particularly when matched to a light-weight rod and line. If not willing to come to the surface for dry flies, subsurface imitations usually produce. In their usual abundant and widely available numbers, and being able to catch "a bunch", makes the Bluegill as fun a fish as the flyfisherman can find.