SCIENTIFIC NAME : Lepomis macrochirus

OTHER NAMES: bream, blue bream, sun perch, blue sunfish, copperhead, copper belly, roach.

RANGE: Found naturally throughout Florida, and across the United States because of widespread stocking.

DESCRIPTION: Bluegills have small mouths and oval-shaped, almost rounded, bodies. Body coloration is highly variable with size, sex, spawning, water color, bottom type, and amount of cover. In general, they are somewhat lavender and bronze with about six dark bars on their sides. Males tend to have a copper-colored bar over the top of the head behind the eyes. The breast is silver to slightly blue most of the year, with some yellow or orange during spawning season. Females are generally lighter colored than males. Two distinctive characteristics are the prominent black spot on the rear edge of the gill-cover and a black spot at the base of the posterior portion of the dorsal fin.

SIZE: Generally, the size range is from 1/4 pound to 2 pounds. World Record is 4 pounds, 12 ounces, caught in Ketona Lake, Alabama, in 1950.

FLORIDA RECORD : 2 pounds 15.25 ounces, caught in Crystal Lake, Washington County, Florida, in 1989.

FOOD VALUE: Excellent; the flesh is white, flaky, firm and sweet. They are generally rolled in cornmeal or dipped in pancake batter before frying. Many rank the bluegill as the most delicious of all freshwater fish.

GAME QUALITIES: Bluegill probably have the hardest fight of any fish of comparable size. Using ultra-light tackle, and light line can make these a favorite for children because of their eagerness to eat.

TACKLE AND BAITS: Fishing ultra-light rods, or cane poles around docks, boat ramps, grass, Lilly pads, and structure. will take live a variety of natural baits (e.g., crickets, grass shrimp, worms) and artificial lures (e.g., small spinners or popping bugs)

FISHING TECHNIQUES: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.