Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

We recently moved to the southwest side of Chicago where there are many Forest Preserve lakes and ponds within 10 miles.  They all list Bluegill first on the list of fish in their waters.  My closest is Maple Lake which is beautiful and enjoyable.

Anyone that can give me advice--baits, tackle, depths etc.-- on how to fish for gills in these waters will be appreciated.  I fish from shore.  Maple Lake has row boats available till Oct 1.

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Use ultralight tackle, 4 lbs test line, small float (bobber) and redworm or leafworm. fish around weeds, woods, etc and dont stay too long in one spot. no fish then move to other area. if catch some small bluegills then try deeper water and if not work then move to other area! Thats simple but good to get start! Maple Lake, Wampum, Saq Quarries, Ida, Tamiper and many ponds in your area but 8 inch or bigger is rare so let it back to water! Read fishing magazine, Outdoor Notebooks and Midwest Outdoor that you will learn more to catch more fish! You can find magazines in fishing tackle near your home! Talk owner or worker in tackle store is good start! Have fun!

Thanks for the good info....

 

Talk to Johnny Wilkins on here. He could tell you all hot spots in cook county.

Thanks Dwayne

 

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"Calm this morning on the lake, finally able to cast to the channel on Wyboo creek. Caught some nicer gills near bottom"
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Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"Appreciate it John…..fish was very shallow roaming looking for herring fry……."
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Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"Thanks Bruce…..these fish grow well on the available forage, crabs, shrimp, herring, shad…"
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John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"Biggest perch I've ever seen."
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Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"And this one is producing a lot of eggs for the future.."
Monday
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Another Male With the Copper Mask…..6/22/2025

"Thanks Dick….I’m always amazed at our local populations of Coppernose….."
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Under a Dock….6/21/2025

"looks like some good genetics there."
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dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Beautiful Grape Faced Male Coppernose…..6/22/2025

"Thanks Bruce…..we are blessed to have such a huge population of Coppernose in northeast…"
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