Bluegills are not typically randomly spread in a lake; they are schooling fish that gather in specific habitats, depending on the season. You need to find these groups of fish to be successful. Take note of places that have catches because these spots typically will be good year to year.
Bluegills gather in shallow areas to spawn in late spring and early summer. Spawning peaks when the water temperature reaches 75 degrees – usually around Memorial Day. Smaller and more turbid waters usually warm faster than larger, clearer, or deeper ones. It is often easy to spot the saucer-shaped nests in clear lakes or ponds since bluegills build their nests in shallow water very close to shore. Carefully search in 2 to 6 feet of water to find spawning beds, that look like saucer plates very close together.. It is easy to catch male bluegills guarding nests.
In large rivers, like the Mississippi, bluegill like to spawn among stumps and bottom-hugging trees as well as backwaters and sloughs where constant current will not bother the nest. A shallow flat next to a flooded creek channel is a good place to find spawning bluegill. Spawning sites in large rivers are much smaller than those in lakes and ponds.
Bluegills move out from shore to deeper water in lakes, reservoirs and ponds in the hot days of summer. Summer bluegills, especially bigger ones, are usually found in 6 to 12 feet of water. They suspend just above the thermocline (a thermal water temperature barrier that forms in deeper lakes in the summer). They sometimes can be found along the edges of weeds or in deep coves. They are often on humps or areas that break into flooded creek channels or other deep water. Man-made underwater objects also attract bluegill in the summer. Many lakes and reservoirs have stake beds, brush shelters, tire reefs, rock piles and other fish attractors. These objects, along with boat docks or boats tied at one spot for several days, are good bluegill hangouts.
Large river bluegills spend their summer in deeper water and gather along undercut banks, often favoring fallen trees. Try also along the edge of lily pads or other aquatic plants.
Large bluegills leave their summer hangouts around late September to prepare for fall and winter. They move from deep water to places with mid-depths, often near their spawning sites. Shoreline points that extend far out into the lake and drop off sharply often hold bluegill. Another "hot spot" is an underwater ridge or saddle in 8 to 10 feet of water. Flooded timber, brush or rock improves the fish-holding ability of these locations.
As autumn turns to winter and water cools, bluegills move into deeper water to spend the cold months. They often are found over shoreline points and ridges or near brush in 15 to 20 feet of water. Often schools of similar-sized fish move onto flats 10 to 12 feet deep to eat before moving back to deep water.
Sign up for Weekly Fishing Report