What state would you choose to fish Bluegill if you could only pick one?

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

We are fortunate to have members from all over this great nation...One of my favorite things about Bigbluegill.com is the instant connection with the people that love and enjoy the same things that I do when it comes to all things Bluegill from folks all over the country.....Many of us have also had the great experience of fishing several different states whether vacationing, traveling for work or as a result of moving..... If you could pick one state to fish Bluegill, what state would it be and why? Thanks for sharing and I expect this may be a difficult choice for some and very easy for others.....Again, thanks in advance!

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Knowing is a big part of sustained success on any water........thanks for sharing David!

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Lots of new members recently.........tell us a little about your favorite state to catch bluegill and why you're passionate about that region............It has been so interesting since I joined nearly five years ago to track all the techniques and great bluegill fishing across America......THANKS AGAIN BRUCE CONDELLO for having the vision and determination that make bigbluegill.com possible......It has attracted nearly 5,000 members and I'm certain we are represented with some of the best bluegill anglers in the country on this forum!

[dick tabbert]

4 more people and well be at the 5000 mark. Man how we have grown with people and wisdom.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

I think that's really cool Dick......some folks have come and gone but the core is in tact with some great people......I've been fortunate to fish with a few and look forward to the opportunity to do more of that.............

[carl hendrix]

 one heck of a tuff question;; to only pick one state to fish in;; with so many big blue gill members on here I would love to meet !! Jeffery; Tooty;; Lord of the Fly Rods; Bill Modica; Dick Tabbert; John Sheehan; Greg Mc/Williams; Lady Jen;; Leo; Leadhead; Jeff Soto;; not to mention; the one person we all owe so much to for starting this site;; Bruce Condello !  and a heck of a lot more guys as well !!  personelly would love to take one year alone;; go to each state; meet each bbg member; do a little fishing with them ..  big fish bring great memories for sure;; but being with great people; make better memories !  last a life time !  if your fishing in a boat by yourself;  catch that one big fish of a life time--- then again;; go fishing with a good friend;; catch a really nice one;; whice memory stands out best  and remembered longer??

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

That would be a lot of fun Carl........I don't mind fishing alone and often go by myself but I do enjoy fishing with family or guests.........I enjoy sharing what works for me and memories from a good day fishing usually come up for quite awhile......

[Slip Sinker]

I would still have to say Michigan would place number one in my heart. The fisheries are well diversed having the Great Lakes with its fisheries from trophy salmon, to gigantic Y.Perch. Lake St. Clair is currently praised as the number one bass fishing lake in the states. The number of lakes are  truly amazing numbering  at 10’s of thousands. The Michigan DNR are top notch in maintaining and managing the state land parks, boat launches etc.

This is a list of lakes in Michigan. The American state of Michigan borders four of the Great Lakes. The number of inland lakes in Michigan depends on the minimum size: there are 62,798 lakes ≥ 0.1 acres, 26,266 lakes ≥ 1.0 acres, 6,537 lakes ≥ 10.0 acres, 1,148 lakes ≥ 100 acres, 98 lakes ≥ 1,000 acres, and 10 lakes ≥ 10,000 acres.^[1]

I love participating in the Master Angler progam in Michigan and currently hold (4)  certificates. That alone gets me off the couch with motivation and therapy for the spine. Sure the Bluegills are tough to tag at ten inches… but a trophy is a trophy and is relative to geographics. The lakes are generally very clean and clear.

Heck I have a stream in my back property that holds Brown Trout  and maintains a N.Pike spawning run.

It would be tough to give that up to go somewhere else.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

I can totally respect that Slip........even more important than water availability is an understanding of those waters and that takes a lot of time to master the water and the impacts of weather on it and the fish you seek to catch........I've enjoyed your exploits this season and wish you continued success in the pursuit of more Citation Fish! Like you I couldn't leave my home waters but certainly could enjoy some fishing in Michigan!

[Slip Sinker]

thanks Jeff... your absolutely right... ya have to know that BOW... its a nice thing when you can take family and friends out on the BOW and catch fish like you do... that is experience with time on the water... nobody can take that away from you ... you earned it and it shows!... good luck in 2016

[Andy is OptiMystic]

Florida! Not a tough choice because of memories and the state of the fishery. Also, I really don't like fishing in the cold anymore.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Good to hear from you Andy.......how's it going?  I'm with you on the cold and Florida sounds good tonight behind this latest cold front! LOL

[Andy is OptiMystic]

Not bad other than what seems like a lost fishing season. I got out a couple of times and did okay but no special trips other than the very abbreviated fishing portion of my FL trip. But that little taste - one of the biggest bream I have ever caught on my second cast - is one of the memories that make FL special. Most are much older. Shoulder is pretty much healed and I am good to go, but have had lots of conflicts. Another year where I am saying "next year"...