Species profile
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
At a glance
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 38 of 65 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (South Dakota); the most generous is 100 (Missouri).
Across 7 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 7.4 in.
Confirmed by 51,107 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Texas, Ohio, and Florida the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- The world-record bluegill weighed 4 lbs 12 oz, caught in Alabama in 1950.
- Males fan out nest depressions in sand or gravel and guard eggs aggressively.
- Named for the distinctive blue-black coloring on the lower jaw and gill cover.
- A single nest can contain up to 60,000 eggs.
- Lifespan is typically 5–8 years, occasionally reaching 11 years.
Where Bluegill are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Bluegill
Background
The bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or copper nose. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae of the order Perciformes. It is native to North America and lives in streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. It is commonly found east of the Rockies. It usually hides around, and inside, old tree stumps and other underwater…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Bluegill article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: (c) Kristiina Hurme, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kristiina Hurme. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.