Bluegill Species Breakdown
Scientific Name: Lepomis macrochirus
Also Known As: brim or bream
Bluegill are a member of the sunfish family. Among freshwater anglers, they are one of the most popular panfish species to fish for. Bluegills are omnivores that eat insects, snails, crayfish, smaller fish, fish eggs, and zooplankton.
How to Identify a Bluegill
You can identify a bluegill by their larger and deeper bodies. Their sides are dark bluish-green in color and have 6-8 vertical bars throughout their body. At the rear of the soft dorsal fin they have a large dark spot. Their belly is a deep orange to rust color. Adults can grow up to 16 inches, but usually only reach about 6-11 inches.
Bluegill Size
Bluegill can grow up to 16 inches long and weigh up to 4lbs 12oz. They are more commonly found in the 6 – 8 inch range.
Most states don’t have a size limit on bluegill due to their abundance. Even though there often isn’t a size limit, anglers often don’t keep bluegill under 7″ because there isn’t much meat left once you fillet them.
Bluegill Size Chart – Length to Weight Conversion
| Length | 0 | 1/8″ | 1/4″ | 3/8″ | 1/2″ | 5/8″ | 3/4″ | 7/8″ |
| 3″ | .26 oz | .29 oz | .35 oz | .39 oz | .43 oz | .54 oz | .54 oz | .60 oz |
| 4″ | .68 oz | .75 oz | .83 oz | .90 oz | .99 oz | 1.06 oz | 1.20 oz | 1.31 oz |
| 5″ | 1.41 oz | 1.52 oz | 1.64 oz | 1.81 oz | 1.95 oz | 2.09 oz | 2.24 oz | 2.40 oz |
| 6″ | 2.56 oz | 2.79 oz | 2.97 oz | 3.16 oz | 3.35 oz | 3.57 oz | 3.78 oz | 4.09 oz |
| 7″ | 4.32 oz | 4.57 oz | 4.83 oz | 5.11 oz | 5.46 oz | 5.75 oz | 6.05 oz | 6.35 oz |
| 8″ | 6.70 oz | 7.02 oz | 7.48 oz | 7.83 oz | 8.22 oz | 8.61 oz | 8.99 oz | 9.42 oz |
| 9″ | 9.98 oz | 10.41 oz | 10.86 oz | 11.32 oz | 11.82 oz | 12.31 oz | 12.98 oz | 13.51 oz |
| 10″ | 14.07 oz | 14.48 oz | 14.89 oz | 15.43 oz | 15.94 oz | 1 lb 1 oz | 1 lb 1.6 oz | 1 lb 2.3 oz |
| 11″ | 1 lb 3.7 oz | 1 lb 4.3 oz | 1 lb 4.9 oz | 1 lb 5.7 oz | 1 lb 6.4 oz | 1 lb 7 oz | 1 lb 7.8 oz | 1 lb 8.4 oz |
| 12″ | 1 lb 9.8 oz | 1 lb 10.6 oz | 1 lb 11.3 oz | 1 lb 12 oz | 1 lb 12.7 oz | 1 lb 13.5 oz | 1 lb 14.3 oz | 1 lb 15 oz |
| 13″ | 1 lb 15.7 oz | 2 lbs .35 oz | 2 lbs .9 oz | 2 lbs 1.4 oz | 2 lbs 1.98 oz | 2 lbs 2.5 oz | 2 lbs 3.1 oz | 2 lbs 3.7 oz |
| 14″ | 2 lbs 4.3 oz | 2 lbs 4.9 oz | 2 lbs 5.6 oz | 2 lbs 6.1 oz | 2 lbs 6.7 oz | 2 lbs 7.2 oz | 2 lbs 7.8 oz | 2 lbs 8.3 oz |
View World & State Bluegill Records
Where Bluegill Are Found
Bluegill are native to the eastern United States and have been introduced throughout the United States, South Africa and parts of Europe. Bluegill can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, and reservoirs in these locations. They are often in shallower areas and around cover.
Lifespan of a Bluegill
The lifespan of a bluegill is typically 5 – 6 years in the wild and 8 -10 years in captivity. Bluegill grow quicker at the beginning of their life. During their first year they can grow up to 2 inches long.
You can tell the general age of bluegill by referring to the table below.
Bluegill Age Chart
| Age | Length |
|---|---|
| 1 Year Old | 4 – 6 inches |
| 2 Years Old | 6 – 7.5 inches |
| 3 Years Old | 7.5 – 8.5 inches |
| 4 Years Old | 8.5 – 9 inches |
| 5 Years Old | 9 – 9.5 inches |
| 6 Years Old | 9.5 – 10 inches |
| 7 Years Old | 10 – 10.5 inches |
| 8 Years Old | 11 inches |
Fishing For Bluegill
Are bluegill hard to catch?
Bluegill are one of the easiest fish to catch. They can be found in shallow water near the bank and docks which makes them very easy to target. All you need to do is drop a small hook with bait on it in front of them.
What size hook do you use for bluegill?
The #6 size Gamakatsu Octopus is the best hook for catching bluegill.
What type of bait do you use for bluegill?
My favorite bait when fishing for bluegill is canned corn. If you are looking for something to keep in your tackle box then Berkley PowerBait is a great options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bluegill good eating?
Bluegill taste great but they don’t have a lot of meat per fish. Many choose not to eat them due to the amount of effort required to fillet them without the reward for a lot of meat. If you are willing to put the effort in they make great fish for a fish fry.
If corn good for bluegill?
Corn is one of the best baits to use when fishing for bluegill. A corn kernel is the perfect size for their mouth and they absolutely love it. A can of corn is cheap and will last you an entire day of fishing.
Do bluegill fish bite humans?
Bluegill are not dangerous to humans. Their mouths are too small to bite humans and they are are not poisonous or venomous.
Is bluegill a carp?
Bluegill are not a carp. Bluegill are members of the Centrarchidae family, while carp are members of the Cyprinidae family.
Is bluegill a crappie?
Bluegill are not a crappie, although they are apart of the same Centrarchidae family. Bluegill are in the Lepomis genus , while carp are members of the Pomoxis genus.
A bluegill related to bass?
Bluegill are not related to bass, although they are apart of the same Centrarchidae family. Bluegill are in the Lepomis genus , while bass are members of the Micropterus genus.
What fish will eat a bluegill?
Bass, muskie, walleye, and other predator fish all eat bluegill apart from their normal diet.