Bass & Panfish
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
FreshwaterCentrarchidaeLeast Concern
About
The bluegill is a freshwater fish known for its distinctive blue gill flaps and overall sunfish shape. They are active during the day and often found in schools, especially near vegetation or submerged structures.
- Average size
- 6-10 inches, 0.25-0.5 lbs
- Colors
- Olive green to brownish-yellow body, with a bluish or purplish sheen on the lower jaw and gill flaps. They often have vertical bars on their sides and a dark spot at the base of the dorsal fin.
- Diet
- Insects, insect larvae, small crustaceans, snails, and small fish.
- Region
- Eastern and Central United States, but widely introduced elsewhere.
