Conservation Corner: July 16, 2001

Bluegill
by James L. Cummins

The bluegill, or bream as it is most often called, is found in ponds, lakes and streams throughout Mississippi. Since, bluegill are excellent fighters, they are exciting to catch.

The bluegill is a member of the sunfish family. There are 30 species of sunfish in North America and 17 of these species can be found in Mississippi. Sunfishes are characterized by deep, laterally compressed bodies and spiny-rayed fins.

The bluegill is deep and slab-sided with a rather small mouth. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and is connected to the soft dorsal fin which has a distinct black blotch near the base of the last few rays. The earflap is prolonged in adults, especially in males.

The bluegill commonly reaches a length of 9.5 inches and a weight of 12 ounces to a pound. The largest specimen recorded from Mississippi tipped the scales at a whopping 3.45 pounds.

Bluegill have a dark, olive-green back and sides with emerald and bronze highlights; breast and belly are yellow to reddish-orange. Sides are often marked by six dusky vertical bars which are more prominent in young fish.

The chin and lower part of the gill cover are blue and the ear flap is
entirely black. These colors become much more intense and brilliant in breeding males.

Bluegill have requirements very similar to those of largemouth bass and it is likely that where one of these species are abundant the other will be present and abundant as well.

Bluegill often move around in schools of 20 to 30 fish. They are commonly found around underwater structure (logs, brushpiles, artificial structures).

During midday, bluegill remain in deeper water and loaf about in the shade of structure. In the early morning hours, and again in the evening, they move into the shallows to feed.

Feeding is done primarily by sight. When mayflies and other aquatic insects are emerging, bluegill feed at the surface. Bluegill can be found feeding on snails, worms and crustaceans on or near the bottom. Small fish are also eaten by bluegill. Filamentous algae and other vegetation are readily eaten when animal food is scarce.

Bluegill begin nesting in early May and continue into September, with a peak spawning period in June. Almost any type of bottom can be used for nest building, but gravel is preferred. The nests are usually built in one to two foot of water and consist of round depressions. It is common to find many nests located close together in a small area.

Many females often spawn in the same nest and one female may also deposit her eggs in more than one nest. Males guard the nests until the eggs hatch.

Once the fry leave the nest they are on their own.

Bluegill are almost universally used as an invaluable forage fish in ponds that are primarily managed for largemouth bass. These prolific fish serve well in this capacity especially when the predator/prey relationship is kept in balance.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.