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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🎣 Game Fish ⚡ Potential pest 🌡️ Subtropical 🎣 Game Fish

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, 1819
Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)
Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)
Max Length
41 cm
Max Weight
2.2 kg
Lifespan
10 yrs
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
33.00/100
Typical Length
19.1 cm
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Adults are found frequently in lakes, ponds, reservoirs and sluggish streams ; occur primarily in reservoirs in Hawaii; preferably live in deep weed beds . Active mainly during dusk and dawn. They feed upon snails, small crayfish, insects, worms and small minnows . Young feed on crustaceans, insects and worms .

Scientific Name
Lepomis macrochirus
Authority
Rafinesque, 1819
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
41 cm
Max Weight
2.2 kg
Lifespan
10 years
Trophic Level
3.2
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
33.00/100
Water Temp
1–36 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

A dark blue or black "ear" on an extension of the gill cover called the opercular flap; a prominent dark blotch at the base of the dorsal fin, close to the tail; typically olive-green backs, with a blue or purplish sheen along the sides; faint vertical bars may be present along the sides; breeding males may have more blue and orange coloration on their flanks .: short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Bluegill is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 🪺 Nest Builder 🛡️ Egg Guarder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Nest
Fertilization
External

Males guard the eggs for about 7 days . Also Ref. 101194.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 15. Subtropical; 1°C - 36°C ; 50°N - 25°N North America: St.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.2±0.2
Food Items

crustaceans, insects and worms (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0138 × L3.13 (TL)
Max TL
41cm
Max Weight
2,200g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
1–36°C
pH Range
7–7.5
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
33.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Rafinesque, 1819

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong initial run with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
dawn and dusk
Line Weight
10-20
Rod Type
medium-heavy baitcasting
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
topwater lures plastic worms crankbaits spinnerbaits live bait
Bait & Lures
plastic worms crankbaits jigs topwater plugs live minnows
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 6-7ft baitcasting rod
  • fluorocarbon leader
  • baitcaster reel
Where to Find Them
  • weedy shallows
  • submerged timber
  • rocky drop-offs
  • docks and boat lifts
Tips & Tricks
Vary retrieve speed; cold fronts slow fish. Weedless rigs excel in cover.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Bag limits vary; check local slot-size regulations.

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Bluegill · Bluegill Sunfish · Sunfish
🇫🇷French crapet arlequin
🇪🇸Spanish mojarra oreja azul

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1,035 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

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View all observations for Bluegill ↗
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