Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
The most widespread panfish in America and the species that introduces countless anglers to the sport. Found in nearly every warmwater lake, pond, and slow river across the country, bluegill offer reliable action on ultralight gear and are a staple of family fishing trips.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- bobber fishing
- fly fishing
- ice fishing
- ultralight jigging
Top Baits
- red worms
- wax worms
- crickets
- small poppers
- tiny jigs
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Bluegill, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
Alabama 1 zone
Combined 50 fish daily limit for all sunfish species including bluegill, redear, and green sunfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdooralabama.com
Arizona 1 zone
No size or bag limit on sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: azgfd.com
California 1 zone
No size limit. Included in the sunfish category with redear and other sunfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.ca.gov
Colorado 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined with other sunfish in the daily limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: cpw.state.co.us
Connecticut 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for sunfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: portal.ct.gov
Delaware 1 zone
25 per day combined sunfish limit.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov
Florida 1 zone
Aggregate daily bag limit of 50 for all panfish species combined including bluegill, redear sunfish, and warmouth.
Effective 2025 · Source: myfwc.com
Georgia 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 50 in aggregate for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: georgiawildlife.com
Hawaii 1 zone
No size or bag limit on sunfish species. Found in many Hawaiian reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: dlnr.hawaii.gov
Illinois 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Part of the sunfish aggregate bag of 25. Found statewide in lakes, ponds, and rivers.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov
Indiana 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Part of the sunfish aggregate bag of 25. Very popular panfish throughout Indiana.
Effective 2025 · Source: in.gov
Iowa 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined sunfish daily bag of 25.
Effective 2025 · Source: iowadnr.gov
Kansas 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined sunfish daily bag of 50.
Effective 2025 · Source: ksoutdoors.com
Kentucky 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 30 in aggregate for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: fw.ky.gov
Louisiana 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined sunfish daily bag of 50.
Effective 2025 · Source: wlf.louisiana.gov
Massachusetts 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for sunfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: mass.gov
Michigan 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined 25 daily sunfish limit. Some special-regulation lakes have lower limits.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Minnesota 1 zone
Open year-round. Part of the sunfish aggregate bag of 20. Includes bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, and other sunfish species. Some lakes have reduced limits of 5 or 10.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.state.mn.us
Mississippi 1 zone
Combined 50 per day for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdwfp.com
Missouri 1 zone
No minimum size. Combined sunfish daily bag of 50.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdc.mo.gov
Nebraska 1 zone
Combined 15 per day for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov
Nevada 1 zone
Combined sunfish limit of 25 per day.
Effective 2025 · Source: ndow.org
New Hampshire 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for sunfish.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.nh.gov
New Jersey 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for sunfish including bluegill.
Effective 2025 · Source: nj.gov
New Mexico 1 zone
Combined 20 per day for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.state.nm.us
North Carolina 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 30 in aggregate for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: ncwildlife.org
North Dakota 1 zone
Combined 20 per day for all sunfish species, 40 in possession.
Effective 2025 · Source: gf.nd.gov
Ohio 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Part of the sunfish aggregate bag of 30. Very popular panfish species throughout Ohio.
Effective 2025 · Source: ohiodnr.gov
Oklahoma 1 zone
No minimum size, 50 fish daily limit for sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlifedepartment.com
Pennsylvania 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Part of the panfish aggregate bag of 50. Found statewide in lakes, ponds, and warm-water streams.
Effective 2025 · Source: fishandboat.com
Rhode Island 1 zone
No minimum size, 25 fish daily limit for sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: dem.ri.gov
South Carolina 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 30 in aggregate for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.sc.gov
South Dakota 1 zone
No minimum size, 15 fish daily limit for sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: gfp.sd.gov
Tennessee 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 50 in aggregate for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov
Utah 1 zone
Very liberal limits. No size limit. Found in community ponds and warm reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.utah.gov
Virginia 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 50 in aggregate for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov
West Virginia 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily creel limit 25 in aggregate for all sunfish species.
Effective 2025 · Source: wvdnr.gov
Wisconsin 1 zone
Open year-round. Part of the panfish aggregate bag limit of 25 on most waters. Some waters have reduced limits or size restrictions to improve panfish quality.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
State Records
Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.
| State | Weight | Length | Angler | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA | 4.5 lb | — | Thomas Jones | 1970 | Private pond |
| NC | 4.31 lb | — | Danny Case | 1967 | — |
| CA | 3.88 lb | — | Michael Holoubek | 2008 | Rancho Murieta Reservoir |
| IL | 3.5 lb | — | Darren May | 1987 | Private pond |
| GA | 3.31 lb | — | P.F. Gumm | 1977 | Shamrock Lake |
| OH | 3.28 lb | — | — | 1990 | — |
| IN | 3.25 lb | — | Harold L. Catey | 1972 | Private pond |
| MO | 3 lb | — | Robert Michael Giovanini | 1963 | Farm Pond |
| TN | 3 lb | — | Brad Pendergrass | 1987 | Farm Pond, Bledsoe Co. |
| FL | 2.95 lb | — | John LeMaster | 1989 | Crystal Lake |
| MI | 2.75 lb | 13.8 in | — | 1983 | Vaughn Lake |
| WI | 2.61 lb | — | Drew Garsow | 1995 | Green Bay |
| PA | 2.56 lb | — | Tom Twincheck | 1983 | Keystone Lake |
| NY | 2.5 lb | — | Devin VanZandt | 1992 | Kohlbach Pond |
| WA | 2.33 lb | — | Ron Hinote | 1984 | Tampico Park Pond |
| TX | 2.02 lb | — | Gibbs Milliken | 1999 | Lampasas River |
| MN | 1.81 lb | — | — | — | Osakis Lake |
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