Other Common Names:

Sun Perch, Bream, Brim, Blue Sunfish, Copperbelly, Roach

State Record:

3 pounds 8 ounces

Identifying Features:

Bluegills have an olive to bronze back, with blue and orange sides. Two to five bluish bars extend from the mouth.

Typical Adult:

Length: Up to 10 inches (sometimes up to 15 inches)
Weight: Up to 1 pound (sometimes over 4 pounds)
Life span: Up to 11 years

Habitat:

Bluegills inhabit quiet and moderately weedy lakes, ponds, bays, and slow moving streams. The preferred water temperature is 75-80 °F.

Feeding Behavior:

Bluegills feed on larval and adult insects, plankton, snails, fish fry (young), and sometimes aquatic plants.

Reproductive Behavior (Spawning):

When: Spring
Preferred Water Temperature: 68-70 °F
How: The male builds a nest on sand or gravel bottom near other bluegill nests. The female lays eggs in the nest. The male guards the nest and the fry.

Did You Know:

Male northern bluegills become darker and orange in color during the spawning season.

Larger bluegills are found in deeper waters than small ones.