Bluegill(Lepomis macrochirus)

Quick Facts

  • Other Names: Bream, Panfish, Perch
  • Size Range: Up to 2 pounds
  • Native Species?: Yes
  • Food Value: Excellent eating

State Record

  • Louisiana State Record: 1.63lbs
  • State Record Date: 7/1/2008
  • State Record Holder Oliver Hertzog

The bluegill is very common throughout the U.S. and one of the most familiar to all anglers. For many of us the bluegill was our first fish. They have broad greenish body with yellowish breast and black opercular flap. They can also exhibit some vertical black barring on their sides at times.

Bluegill live in many types of fresh and brackish waters and are prolific in numbers. They are also an important forage fish for larger predators.

They are easily caught on small lures and bait such as crickets, worms and bread balls. Louisiana has incredible freshwater fishing and bluegill make up a large part of it.

Bluegill Rules and Regulations

Seasons : No Closed Season
General Info:
Related Habitats:
Other Fin Fish Species: Mahogany Snapper Spotted Bass Warmouth Longear Sunfish Flathead Catfish Bonnethead Shark Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Banded Rudderfish
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Inland Fisheries Management Programs

Louisiana is home to an incredibly diverse inland freshwater system of rivers, streams, lakes, swamps and ponds. All of these systems are able to support ... Read More

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Related Fishing Methods

Dead bait consists of many different types of bait that is no longer alive. Dead bait is still attractive to many fish as they are normally feeding by smell and dead bait is the ticket for smell. Fresh cut fish, dead shrimp, half crab, shucked clam, cut squid and all popular examples of bait that will catch a wide variety of fish. Many sport fish that are predators, will gladly take the opportunity to slurp up a fresh dead bait. A redfish is equally happy to chase down a baitfish or slurp up a dead shrimp on the bottom. Dead bait has the benefit is being easy to obtain, maintain and transport, as opposed to live bait which takes livewells, quality water control and can be harder to obtain.

A style of fishing that utilizes a unique type of rods and reels. Long rods and simple reels allow for the presentation of “flies”, which are lures made of feather, fur, hair and synthetics. Different from conventional fishing, the weight of the line is used to carry the "lure" out whereas conventional methods use the weight of the lure to drag the line out. Flyfishing is said to be addictive and is growing in popularity.

Live bait is a term given to many different types of fish, crustaceans, insects and worms that are popular food items for fish and used by fishermen for bait. There are many benefits to live bait as well as a few cons. The pros normally out weigh the negatives, and live bait is widely used. The biggest benefit for fishermen is that they are using the real thing and often puts a fish's guard down. Small fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, crickets and the good ole earthworm are all used to entice a fish to the hook. The only negatives to live bait is just that, keeping it alive. Sometimes catching it can be a challenge, as only some species can be bought as live bait. No matter how you get it, live bait is a great way to target many types of fish.