Bluegill

Bluegill
(San Gabriel River, Williamson County, May 2021)
Photo Courtesy of Pat Kellner

Common Name: Bluegill

Species Name: Lepomis macrochirus

Texas Distribution: State Wide

Characteristics:

Dark near the "ear" (Opercal Flap)
Dark spot at base of Dorsal Fin
5-9 Vertical Bars (sometimes these are less pronounced)
Yellow Breast (often turning orange in breeding males)
Long/pointed Pectoral Fin
Small Mouth
6-13 Dorsal Fin Spines
11-12 Dorsal Rays
12-13 Pectoral Rays
3 Anal Fin Spins
10-12 Anal Fin Rays

World Record: 4 lbs, 12 oz, 15 inches; Ketona Lake, Alabama; T.S. Hudson

Texas State Record: 2.02 lbs, 12.50 inches; Lampasas River; Gibbs Milliken; Fly Rod, #6 Copper Clouser minnow

State Fly Fishing Record: 2.02 lbs, 12.50 inches; Lampasas River; Gibbs Milliken; Fly Rod, #6 Copper Clouser minnow

Info: Bluegill prefer to spawn in shallow (1-2 foot deep) water with a gravel bottom. They begin to spawn when the water temperature reaches about 70 degrees, the spawn peaks in May and June (in Texas), and will continue until the temperatures begin to drop again in the fall. Their long spawning season leads to a high reproductive rate. Their often prolific numbers make them an important food source for predatory fish, such as Largemouth Bass.

There are currently three recognized subspecies of Bluegill in Texas. Two are native to Texas, Lepomis macrochirus macrochirus which is native to the northeastern half of the state and Lepomis macrochirus speciosus which is native to the central, southern, and western portions of the state, and the Coppernose Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus purpurescens), which is a native of Atlantic coast states.

The diet of bluegill consists of up to 50% midge larvae, but will eat other aquatic insects and their larvae. Because of this and their small mouths, small "buggy" looking flies (like Pat's Hot Tail Mini-Craw, Rio Poquito, and Deer Hair Ants) are typically very effective for catching bluegill.