Montana Field Guide

Like all of the sunfish, the bluegill is native to central and eastern North America, not Montana. However, it is now found across most of eastern Montana. Similar to other sunfish species, the bluegill is a shoreline spring spawner. Males begin the nest-building by fanning the bottom with their fins to clear a shallow, bowl-like depression. Spawning is very temperature dependent, but when conditions are favorable a willing female lays her eggs in the nest. The male guards the nest tenaciously until the fry hatch out, and any type of intruder will be viciously attacked during the nesting season. All of the smaller sunfishes have been known to hybridize with other species and bluegills are no exception. Bluegill are the largest of the sunfishes other than bass and thus widely acclaimed as a sport fish in the Midwest. In Montana, they have grown to nearly 3 pounds, but they generally do not attain a size to make them a desirable sport fish. Consequently, fisheries managers who used to routinely stock bluegill in combination with bass, seldom do so in Montana today.

Gill rakers moderately long and slender. Ear flap smaller on females and young males than adult males. Young usually have vertical bars that become faint as adults.

Preferred habitat is comparatively warm lakes and ponds with abundant vegetation; also, in the quiet pools of streams.

Avid feeder. Eats mostly aquatic insects and other invertebrates throughout its life. Small amounts of aquatic vegetation and small fish are also taken by adults.

Mostly found with other sunfish species in southeast Montana.

Sexually matures mostly in 2 years. Spawns May - July after water temperatures exceed 68 degrees F.