Bluegill Sunfish

Bluegill sunfish are very well adapted to most pond  and lake environments. Bluegill serve not only as the primary food source for largemouth bass but provide a lot of fishing opportunities and eating pleasures.

Bluegill rarely exceed 1 pound with 1/4 - 1/2 pound (7" - 9") the normal size range. The average bluegill's life span is about 5 years but 13 year-olds have been recorded. Bluegills are sight feeders. Food for young bluegill include microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and microscopic animals (zooplankton). As they increase in size their food preferences change to aquatic insects, insect larva, an occasional small fish and when available, terrestrial insects. Bluegill may also eat commercial fish food.

Bluegill usually reaches sexual maturity in their second year of life or when they are about 3” long.  Males construct at saucer-shaped nest in water about a foot or two deep. Almost any type of bottom is used for nesting, but sand or gravel is preferred.  Bluegills construct their nests close together, forming “colonies”.  Spawning takes place when water temperatures reach 70 to 75 degrees F, usually from May through August, with the spawning peak in June. Newly hatched bluegill fry may also be observed in late Spring, presenting the possibility that bluegill spawn more than once.  What is actually happening are late spawns from female bluegill that didn't reach sexual maturity until later in the growing season.   Males spawn with several females in a single nest and the male fish vigorously guards the nest.  The eggs normally hatch in 2 to 5 days, depending on water temperature.

The male remains with the newly hatched fry until they disperse from the nest.  Bluegills are very prolific.  Depending upon size, a female may deposit 2,000 to 67,000 eggs with and average of about 18,000.  Because nearly all carnivorous fishes prey upon bluegill, the high productivity is probably Mother Nature's way of perpetuating the species.

We sell several sizes of bluegill for initial stocking and for corrective restocking.

Country Fish Farm, LLC can create a package right for your pond or lake fish stocking needs and budget. For more information on our fish, pond and lake aerators and fountains or for a free estimate on our pond and lake fish stocking  call (573) 729-4383, fax (573)729-5021 (24/7) or E-Mail Us today! Yes! We accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover.

Thank you for considering Country Fish Farm, LLC for your Missouri aquaculture and fish pond and lake stocking needs!