BLUEGILL SUNFISH (Lepomis macrochirus)
ALIAS: Bream, brim, sun perch, copperbelly
IDENTIFICATION: A deep sided fish with a small mouth, a long pectoral fin and a spot on the dorsal fin.
DIET: Insects, insect larvae, fathead minnows, small fish and commercial fish food.
SPAWNING: May through mid-summer when water temperatures are 65-85̊ F. Nests are constructed in 1 to 4’ of water on firm sand and gravel bottoms.
FISHING TIPS: Live bait such as red worms, meal worms and fathead minnows on a small hook work great in catching these slab-sized fish throughout the spring and summer.
400+ fish per acre stocking rate is recommended.