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Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
6–9 inches
Typical Length
0.25–0.75 lb
Typical Weight
Year-round (no closed season)
Season Opens
24%
% of MN Lakes
The bluegill is perhaps the most familiar fish in Minnesota — the one most kids catch first. They're abundant, eager biters, and surprisingly scrappy fighters on light tackle. Big bluegills are also fantastic on the plate.
Habitat
Bluegill thrive in warm, shallow lakes with weeds, docks, and woody cover. They spawn on sandy flats in colonies visible from shore. In summer, larger bluegills move to deeper weed edges while small ones stay shallow.
When to Fish
Best months: June, July, August
Season opens: Year-round (no closed season)
The bedding period in June is when bluegill are most accessible — look for spawning beds in 2–5 feet of water. Small jigs, wax worms, and live bait under a bobber are hard to beat. Fly fishing for bluegill is outstanding.
Did You Know?
- The dark 'ear' flap on a bluegill's gill cover is used to intimidate rivals and attract mates during spawning.
- A colony of spawning bluegills can contain hundreds of nests packed into a small area of lakebed.
- Bluegill are the primary forage for largemouth bass — healthy bluegill populations usually mean good bass fishing too.
Minnesota State Record
2 lbs 13 oz (Alice Lake, 1984)
Lakes with Bluegill near you
841 Minnesota lakes have Bluegill on record. Find the closest ones to you.
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is a panfish species found in Minnesota lakes and rivers. DNR surveys have documented bluegill in 841 Minnesota lakes. The Minnesota state record is 2 lbs 13 oz (Alice Lake, 1984).