Bluegill Native
🔬 Lepomis macrochirus
Abundant and fun on light tackle. Great for kids.
🎣 Get Full Stocking Data & Forecasts
Fishing Pro · $4.99/mo · Cancel anytime
Bite this month
Good
Best season
Spring, Summer
Keeper size
7" at ~3 yrs
Ice fishing
Viable target
Regulations
limit 25
Where to Catch Bluegill in Michigan
Bluegill Conservation Status
Native Bluegill is native to Michigan waters. Michigan's most abundant panfish. Found in virtually every warm-water lake in the state. The daily bag limit is 25.
Bluegill Habitat & Behavior
Weedy bays and dock edges throughout Michigan. One of the most abundant and widely distributed panfish. DNR records show Bluegill present in 714 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Marquette, Roscommon and Oakland counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov. Bluegill is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.
Best Bluegill Techniques
Worms, crickets, small spinners near docks and weeds
Best Bluegill Baits
Wax worms, red worms, small flies, tiny jigs, crickets
Bluegill Fishing Regulations in Michigan
25
Daily limit
50
Possession limit
Year-round
Season
Combined sunfish limit (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Green Sunfish) is 25/day on most waters.
⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually.
Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.
Michigan DNR Bluegill Stocking Records
Bluegill Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
|
||||
| Oct 8, 2023 | Private Pond | 450 | 6.0" | |
| May 9, 2023 | Brownlee Lake | Alcona | 1,500 | 5.0" |
| May 6, 2023 | Lake Geneva | 1,000 | 4.5" | |
| Apr 29, 2023 | Thread Creek | 500 | 4.0" | |
| Nov 5, 2022 | Diamond Lake | Newaygo | 204 | 3.5" |
| Nov 5, 2022 | Diamond Lake | Cass | 204 | 3.5" |
| Oct 28, 2022 | Hopkins Lake | Shiawassee | 473 | 4.0" |
| Oct 30, 2021 | Rifle Lake | Ogemaw | 300 | 4.0" |
| Oct 30, 2021 | Diamond Lake | Newaygo | 62 | 5.0" |
| Oct 30, 2021 | Diamond Lake | Cass | 62 | 5.0" |
| Jun 24, 2021 | Outdoor Discovery Center Pond | 170 | 5.5" | |
| May 10, 2021 | Thompson Lake | Livingston | 1,000 | 3.0" |
Most valuable for Bluegill anglers
See where Bluegill will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 174 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
Fishing Pro — $4.99/mo
373
Historical stocking events
174
Lakes stocked
Oct
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Jun
May
Oct
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Bluegill next season.
Unlock with Fishing Pro
Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
Unlock with Fishing Pro
Estimated Mature Bluegill — September
See Which Lakes Have Mature Bluegill Right Now
Based on DNR stocking records from 2022–2024, we estimate which Michigan lakes likely hold Bluegill at keeper size (7") today.
Best Times to Fish Bluegill
❄️ Bluegill is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.
Angler Tips for Bluegill
No tips yet for this species. Fishing Pro members can share tips and photos.
Be the first to share an angler tip
Fishing Pro members only