| Bluegill sunfish are the most widely distributed panfish | | | | 3-pound class are common. However, new nearly |
| in North America. They are members of the same | | | | invisible fluorocarbon lines and leaders allow for slightly |
| family (Centrarchidae a.k.a.Sunfish) as the largemouth | | | | stronger line to be used. |
| bass. These colorful fish are well adapted to living in | | | | Baits for bluegill include crickets, mealworms, |
| ponds, lakes, streams and even brackish water. | | | | waxworms, redworms, earthworms, nightcrawler |
| Bluegill are often the primary food source for | | | | chunks and maggots. When using worms, be careful |
| largemouth bass and other predators. | | | | not to put too much bait on the hook, as bluegills are |
| They rarely exceed 1 pound with 1/4 - 1/2 pound (7" | | | | accomplished thieves. Some anglers target larger |
| - 9") being typical. Bluegill usually have a black spot or | | | | bluegills with live minnows or other large baits. |
| blotch near the base of the soft dorsal fin and a | | | | Bluegill lures include crappie jigs, ice tick jigs, microjigs, |
| black flexible tip on the gill cover. The back and sides | | | | small spinnerbaits, small spinnerbaits, small grubs, small |
| are dark green or brownish. The breast and | | | | tube jigs, and miniature soft plastics. Fly fishing works |
| undersides may appear yellow, red or orange. Males | | | | great for catching bluegill. Anglers use a dry fly, |
| in the breeding season usually have a dark red to | | | | nymph, panfish popper flies or terrestrial flies. Popular |
| mahogany colored breast. The sides of the fish | | | | terrestrial fly patterns include crickets, grasshoppers, |
| usually display a series of vertical bars, more | | | | foam spiders, and ants. |
| prominent in smaller fish. The gill covers and chin are | | | | How To Clean Bluegill Sunfish |
| bright blue, giving the bluegill its name. Bluegill sunfish | | | | 1. Scale the fish with a fish scaler or dull knife. While |
| art is extremely popular mostly because the fish are | | | | holding the fish with one hand, use the tool to |
| so attractive and well respected. | | | | remove all scales. You must run the scaler or knife |
| Bluegill Sunfish Techniques | | | | from tail to head in order to get the scales off. The |
| Most people started fishing as youngsters for bluegill | | | | skin should be smooth when all scales are gone. |
| and other panfish. Bluegill, ounce for ounce, fight as | | | | 2.Cut the fish's head off. make the cut at the back |
| hard as any freshwater fish. Bluegill are fun to catch | | | | of the fish's gills. Cut through at this point. |
| and make excellent table fare. Catching bluegill is | | | | 3. Cut from the belly back to the vent, avoiding all |
| common event throughout spring, summer and early | | | | organs. Remove all organs, saving the fish roe if any |
| fall. Some hardly anglers fish for bluegill while ice | | | | is found. |
| fishing. | | | | 4. Cut off the tail and fins. |
| Anglers target bluegills primarily with ultralight | | | | 5. Rinse the fish and place on ice immediately. |
| equipment or fly gear. Leaders in the half-pound to | | | | |