FishableWaters

Species

Bluegill

On record in 299 waters across 12 states

Bluegill are usually the first fish anyone catches, and there's a reason they're the gateway species — they're abundant, they bite readily, and a good bluegill pond can keep a rod bent all afternoon. Big "bull" bluegill over half a pound also make excellent, if underrated, table fare.

Bluegill are on record in 299 waters across 12 states, most heavily in Washington, Indiana, Florida, Utah and Wisconsin. FishableWaters tracks every bluegill stocking from state agency reports — use the state links and most-stocked list below to find waters near you.

Bluegill
Duane Raver / USFWS

By state

Most-stocked waters

How to catch them

Fish near cover — docks, brush piles, weed edges — with a small bait suspended under a bobber, and let it sit rather than working it aggressively. During the spawn, bluegill bed in shallow water in colonies, and sight-fishing those beds is about as easy as fishing gets.

A piece of nightcrawler or a wax worm under a small bobber is the classic approach and still the most reliable. Small jigs, tiny inline spinners, and micro soft plastics all work well for anglers who want to cover water rather than sit still.

Know your fish

Deep, flattened body, a dark spot near the back of the gill cover, and coloring that ranges from olive and blue-green to bright orange on the belly of breeding males. Bluegill hybridize with other sunfish species, so some fish show mixed characteristics.

Late spring into early summer, during the spawn, is prime — bluegill bed in shallow water and feed aggressively to defend their nests. They remain catchable through summer and fall, typically moving deeper as water warms.

Freshest bluegill stockings

May 29, 2026Fall Creek FallsTN43,500
May 29, 2026Clearwater LakeND246
May 18, 2026Arnegard DamND252
May 15, 2026Browns Creek LakeTN71,484
May 14, 2026Cornelia LakeMI357
May 1, 2026Herb Parsons LakeTN15,400
Apr 30, 2026Lake ElsieND630
Apr 26, 2026Elm LakeND360
Apr 23, 2026Moran LakeND305
Apr 19, 2026Short CreekND2,032
Apr 16, 2026Wirth LakeMN355
Apr 16, 2026Powderhorn LakeMN200
Apr 15, 2026Snelling LakeMN315
Apr 14, 2026Berg SloughND44
Apr 14, 2026Jeffers LakeNC160

Bluegill — FAQ

Where can I catch bluegill?+

Bluegill are stocked across 12 states, led by Washington, Indiana, Florida, Utah and Wisconsin. Pick a state below to see every water stocked with bluegill.

What's the best bait for bluegill?+

A piece of nightcrawler or a wax worm under a small bobber is the classic approach and still the most reliable. Small jigs, tiny inline spinners, and micro soft plastics all work well for anglers who want to cover water rather than sit still.

When is the best time to catch bluegill?+

Late spring into early summer, during the spawn, is prime — bluegill bed in shallow water and feed aggressively to defend their nests. They remain catchable through summer and fall, typically moving deeper as water warms.

How many waters are stocked with bluegill?+

299 waters across 12 states hold bluegill on record, updated daily from agency stocking reports.