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Bluegill(Lepomis macrochirus) |
The bluegill’s body is fairly narrow, oval or rounded, with a small mouth and head and pointed pectoral fins. These characteristics are present for all of the sunfish family. A bluegill’s coloring will vary greatly from one body of water to the next, ranging from olive, dark blue, or bluish purple to yellow and green on the sides with a blue background.
There are six to eight vertical bars on each side, which may or may not be prominent, depending on the sex of the fish and the time of year. An excellent way in determining this species is by a prominent wide black flap that begins at the rear of the gill cover. Also, dark blue streaks are located on the lower cheeks between the chin and gill cover (hence the name bluegill). Bluegill bellies are usually a deep yellow or orange in color.
Bluegill have a long spawning season with multi-spawn ability, giving this species excellent reproductive potential. Springtime and early summer is the start of spawning season, extending into fall when the water temperature cools.
