Sunfish

Bluegills begin spawning when water temperatures reach about 70 °F. Spawning may peak in May or June, but continues until water temperatures cool in the fall. Because of their long spawning season bluegills have very high reproductive potential, which often results in overpopulation in the face of low predation or low fishing pressure. Nests are created in shallow water, one to two feet in depth. Gravel substrate is preferred. Fifty or more nests may be crowded into a small area, thus creating a spawning “bed”. Males guard the nest until the eggs hatch and fry leave. Young fish feed on plankton, but as they grow the diet shifts to aquatic insects and their larvae. Up to 50% of their diet may consist of midge larvae.

Not may anglers say they “prefer” to catch sunfish, bluegill and other sunfish are nevertheless a vital part of many freshwater fisheries nationwide, including Virginia. Many pre-license age anglers begin their fishing careers by bank fishing for bluegills and other sunfish. Bluegills provide plenty of fight, pound for pound. In Texas bluegills approaching two pounds have been landed in public waters, and fish over three pounds are known from private tanks.

Originally Redear sunfish were found in the southeastern U.S. from Texas, north to a line even with southern Illinois, and east to the Atlantic Ocean. As a result of introductions, the range has been expanded and now extends west into New Mexico, and north into Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In Texas the species is native to the eastern two-thirds of the state from the Red River to the Rio Grande. It has been widely introduced throughout the state.

Unlike some other sunfish species, Redears rarely approach the surface to take flies or other artificial top baits. They may, however, be readily captured using natural bait such as earthworms and grubs. Redear are often taken in early summer when they are concentrated on spawning beds.