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Bluegill Native

🔬 Lepomis macrochirus

Abundant and fun on light tackle. Great for kids.

0.25-0.75 lb, 6-10 inches
Typical size
4 lbs 6 oz
Michigan record
Spring, Summer
Best season
714
Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 4 lbs 6 oz ·Travis Erspamer ·Hamlin Lake ·Mason County ·2018 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Bluegill

Jan
Fair
Feb
Fair
Mar
Good
Apr
Excellent
May
Excellent
Jun
Excellent
Jul
Excellent
Aug
Excellent
Sep
Good
Oct
Good
Nov
Good
Dec
Fair

❄️ Bluegill is a popular ice fishing target 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, Oakland and Roscommon 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.

🌊 Where to Catch Bluegill in Michigan

Lake County Population
Lake St. Clair
260,000 acres
 Macomb Excellent
40th Street Pond St. Clair Good
Ada Township Park Pond Good
Alberta Pond Baraga Good
Alcona Pond Alcona Good
Algoe Lake Lapeer Good
Alma Impoundment Gratiot Good
Ambrose Lake Ogemaw Good
Andrus Lake Good
Arcadia Lake Manistee Good
Arnold Lake Clare Good
Au Sable Lake Ogemaw Good
Au Sable River Iosco Good
Austin Lake Kalamazoo Good
Avery Lake Montmorency Good
Bad River Saginaw Good
Badger Lake Good
Badwater Lake Dickinson Good
Baker Lake Good
Baldy Lake Alger Good
Michigan Fishing DNR Stocking Record Verified Data
SpeciesBluegill
Quantity1,000 fish
StockedMay 10, 2021
Size at stocking3.0"
Lake Thompson Lake, Livingston Co.

📋 Bluegill Stocking Events by Lake

Date Lake County Quantity Size
13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing+
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
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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
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Full stocking history across all 174 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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See which Michigan lakes are likely to be stocked with Bluegill next — view the stocking forecast →

📋 Quick Bluegill Facts

🔗 Resources

🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🪪 Buy a Michigan Fishing License 🎣 Log a catch

💡 Angler Tips for Bluegill

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