Discover the Largest Bluegill Ever Caught - AZ Animals

Fishing for bluegill is something many people grew up doing as kids as an introduction to the wonderful world of sport fishing. Bluegill isn't an especially rare fish, but they are some of the best to catch on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Here, we will look at bluegills and bluegill records, specifically those surrounding how large these fish can get. Discover the largest bluegill ever caught below!

What Is a Bluegill?

The brightly colored bluegill is commonly found throughout the U.S.

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Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is a species of freshwater fish belonging to the sunfish family Centrarchidae. They are native to North America and can be found in freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. They are also commonly found in farm ponds and small impoundments. Bluegills are known by various names, such as bream, sun perch, copper nose, and pumpkinseed.

The average bluegill size is about 6-8 inches in length and about half a pound in weight. They have an oval-shaped body with a distinctive, deep blue-green coloration on their dorsal side and a yellow-orange coloration on the belly. They have a small mouth, a black gill cover, and small, sharp teeth. They also have a small black spot at the base of their dorsal fin.

Bluegills are important in the ecosystem as both prey and predator. They are a common food source for larger fish, such as bass, and are also important forage for birds and mammals. They are also known to be aggressive predators, feeding on small aquatic insects, crustaceans, and minnows. Bluegills are also popular game fish and are often caught by anglers using light tackle. They are also known to be hard fighters, making them a popular sport fish.

Bluegill Hybrids and Similar Species

Bluegill is known for its ability to interbreed with other sunfish species. This results in hybrids that have the visible characteristics of both parents, which can sometimes make proper identification tough, especially while out fishing for fun. Common hybridization partners for bluegill include green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, and redear sunfish. These hybrids are often called sunfish hybrids.

Due to their similar appearance, bluegill hybrids are often confused with other species of sunfish and panfish, such as rock bass, crappie, and warmouth.

Where Is the Best Place to Catch Bluegill?

Bluegill can be found in various freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. Some of the best places to catch bluegill are farm ponds, natural and manmade lakes, rivers, and weed beds. Rivers can be good spots for bluegills, especially those with slow-moving areas. Also, bluegills can be found in and around weed beds, providing cover and food.

Bluegills are often caught in the shallows near the shoreline, where they are foraging for food. If you've never fished for bluegill, always check local regulations and consult with a local angler. If anyone knows the best places to catch bluegill, it will be the people who have fished there their whole life!

The Largest Bluegill Ever Caught

Bluegill are a good sport fish because they put up quite a fight when caught on a line.

The world record for the largest bluegill ever caught was 4 pounds, 12 ounces. This catch was fished out of Ketona Lakes in Alabama. According to the International Game Fish Association, it was caught in 1950 by angler T. Hudson. Along with being very heavy, this record-setting fish had a length of 15 inches and a girth of 18.25 inches. It was likely caught on light tackle, as bluegills are often caught using this fishing gear. Catching such a large fish would have been quite a struggle, as bluegills are known to put up a strong fight. Even with light tackle, it would have taken a skilled angler to bring in such a large fish. The size of this bluegill is truly impressive and remains a record that still stands today.

Where Is Ketona Lakes Located on a Map?

The site of the record bluegill, Ketona Lakes, is a pair of flooded quarries in Jefferson County, Alabama. They are situated 1.1 miles from Tarrant City and a little over 7 miles from Birmingham. They are also near the hamlets Springdale and Tarrant Heights. Ketona Lakes is owned by the Drummond Company and not open to the public.

Can You Eat Bluegill?

Bluegill is considered edible and is occasionally consumed by humans. They are known for their mild, sweet flavor and flaky, white flesh. They can be prepared in various ways, such as fried, baked, grilled, or smoked.

Although they are extremely common and have a pretty good flavor profile, they aren't often eaten or served at restaurants, primarily because there aren't commercial operations that catch them in large quantities. Still, if the water quality is decent where they are caught, they can be eaten!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © RLS Photo/Shutterstock.com