Bluegill Spawning Mayhem
This is the time of year that Tri-State panfish anglers wait for all year. The weather has warmed and the bluegills are staking out their spawning territory in the shallows. Clusters of tightlypacked beds seem to spring up overnight, and suddenly spawning bluegills are everywhere. This is the perfect time to take that youngster fishing with you!
The aggressive and territorial bluegills (and redear sunfish) are quick to pounce on almost any bait that invades their space, so the fishing can be quite exciting. It often doesn’t matter whether you use live bait or small artificials, either. Just get a bait into the strike zone, and then get ready for action.
Since bluegills can’t compete with bass and other gamefish when it comes to size, be sure to use a good ultralight rod and reel combination. The lighter line and rod will definitely increase the fun factor. Fishermen who prefer to fish with a flyrod can catch just as many fish as their spincasting counterparts, too, and have just as much fun!
Besides the excellent fight that big bluegills provide on ultralight tackle, spring bluegills that are decked-out in their spawning colors are downright beautiful. The bright orange breast and deep blue gill plates are especially stunning.
Bluegills and other sunfish usually build their nests in very shallow water, so stay fairly close to shore when searching for the spawning colonies. Bluegills, in particular, often make large colonies where you might find dozens of dish-shaped nests dug right next to each other. These extensive communal spawning grounds are easy to see if the water is clear and you are wearing polarized sunglasses.
A good place to start looking for bluegill nests is in the shallow water at the back of small coves and bays. Bluegills can nest in water that is only a few inches deep, but they usually stake out a territory in water that is at least a couple of feet deep. Water depths of three to four feet are probably the most common for nesting around here, but bluegills on specific lakes may nest a little shallower or deeper depending on the local conditions.
Areas with soft, dark bottoms are prime locations for spawning bluegills. The soft mucky bottom is easy for the bluegills to scoop out a good nest, and the dark bottom warms up quickly as the May sun beats down on the shallows. Warm water is one of the keys for a successful spawn, since the eggs hatch quicker when the water is warmer. That gives eggstealing predators less time to eat the eggs before they hatch.
Sandy areas can be good places to look for bluegill beds, too. The water along shallow, sandy shorelines warms quickly, too, and it is often attractive to bluegills. Some sunfish, especially pumpkinseeds and redears, like this type of bottom. If there is some weed growth along the bottom, to, it is even better.
If you have found bluegill colonies in specific areas of your lake in the past, there’s a good chance that the bluegills will be using the same areas again this year. All of the things that made an area a good nesting place last year will make it a good place this year, too. So check it out!
Once you find a good bluegill or redear spawning colony, but careful not to spook the fish. Even though the fish are preoccupied with spawning, they still spook easily in the shallow water. Banging a rod on the side of the boat or scraping a boot on the bottom of the boat is a sure way to send the bluegills packing for the safety of deeper water.
Luckily, bluegills rarely abandon their nests for good. They may swim off if you make too much noise, but they will be back. If you sit quietly, they often return in just a few minutes. When they do, they are usually more than willing to grab a tasty-looking bait if it is dangling a few inches above their nest.
If you are finding spawning colonies in the shallows but the fish seem a little small, start looking in slightly deeper water. The bigger fish often build nests in deeper water than their smaller counterparts. The largest bluegills and the really big redear sunfish are known to nest in water that is twice as deep (or more) as their smaller buddies. Unfortunately, nests in deeper water are much harder for fishermen to spot. There is a reason that those fish got big – they were smart!
Don’t forget that although there is no bag limit on bluegills in Indiana (except for a few specific lakes), the limit for redear sunfish is 25 fish per day. There is nothing wrong with keeping enough fish for a meal or two, but please take only as many fish as you plan to use. It’s also a good idea to practice catch and release with the biggest panfish (those bluegills and redears that are 10 inches or more) and keep some of the smaller ones for the table.
