This small bluegill displayed the aggressive temper common to the species, when it attacked this spinner (larger than its mouth)!

Caught at Willow Pond, June 2009.

Anglers Perspective:

The Bluegill is a species of feisty little fish, that can be tricked into taking just about anything you tie on. They make an excellent fish to introduce children to fishing and make for a nice fight using light tackle. Some people would rather go for bigger fish, but catching a nice one pounder on a 4 lb test spinning setup can make a day for any angler. However, these clever little fish are sometimes the ones responsible for stealing your bait, and those teasing little nibbles at end of your line when your trying to get the big one.

Description:

The bluegill is a colorful little sunfish, the gill flap is blueish with a black dot on the earflap, the belly yellowish to orange, the back olive-green, with copper and brown throughout. Their body is flat and compact rarely growing over 9 inches, with the average being about 4-5 inches long. They have a small mouth that reaches the front of the eyes. Their pectoral fins are long and pointed. They feed mostly on insects and small animals, but they do eat plants and algae if they need to supplement their diet. Bluegill spawn when waters get warm (most successfully around 80 degerees) in the mid spring throughout the summer. Bluegills do well in clean waters, with sand or gravel bottoms, or where there is a lot of vegetation. They live near any kind of protective cover, rocks, cattails, downed trees, bottom vegetation, etc, mostly near the shore. They form schools with other bluegill close to their size, so once you find them expect to catch a bunch. They can be quite good to eat, but it takes alot of em. They also provide forage for other larger game fish. 

Current Angling Record:

• It Weighed 2 lb 7 oz. 
• The fish measured 11 1/2" long, and 14 5/8" in girth.
• Caught by Jack Rask, while fishing in Mantua Reservoir, 1993.