OTHER NAMES: Gill, Bream, Brim 

ADULT FISH DESCRIPTION: Can be 12”+ in length and grow to more than 3 pounds. They have very distinctive coloring, Males have deep blue and purple on the face and gill cover, dark olive-colored bands down the side, and an orange to yellow belly. Females have a more washed-out color and a smaller ear tab.

DIET:  Insects, insect larvae, small fish (fathead minnows and young golden shiners) and commercial fish food. 

SPAWNING: In the Midwest bluegills spawn May through late-summer when water temperatures are 72-85̊ F.  Nests are constructed in 1’ to 4’ of water on firm sand and gravel bottoms.  Bluegills nest in colonies.

FISHING TIPS/USES:  Live bait such as pieces of night crawlers, red worms, mealworms and fathead minnows or a commercial fish food pellet on a small hook work great in catching these fish.  Small crankbaits work well for the larger bluegills. Bluegills are required in ponds that have largemouth bass as predators, and bluegills make excellent table fare. 

STOCKING RATE: New ponds 1,500-3,000 per acre, established ponds 400/acre of the larger sized fish. 

GROWTH RATES: If fed sufficient good quality fish food, they can grow from fingerling to 6”-7” the first year they are stocked. If there isn’t a supplemental feeding program in the pond, expect the growth to be half of that.