Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

So many variations of color during the spawn, and even throughout the summer.....does anyone know why?

Views: 1732

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

All of these fish were caught and released from the same bed on the same day

Warning: The following statement is purely speculation.

I think it's the same reason the bucks have different variations of antler size, length, girth, width, etc. Every male is essentially taking his own unique approach to attracting a mate. Different girls like different kinds of guys. Eventually, through selection over hundreds of generations, the males settle on a general theme that advances their species through ability to reproduce effectively. Variation however still drives evolution.
Facinating, and absolutely logical!
I am curious as to the relationship between changing light conditions and fish coloration...Sun going in and out of the clouds and how we percieve or see fish color and how fish may react "emotionally" and express their colors along with the changes...I am curious but dont know anything.. Ha !
Bruce, interesting explanation. Following your logic, now I have another excuse for going bald....I need to set myself apart from other males!!
I can agree with Bruce's logic, however - Bluegills are like a "Living Mood Ring" - and their color at any given time seems to reflect their dispoition.

I think it would be very interesting to tag a few 'gills - and catch the same ones at different times, photgraph them and see if they, themselves have different colors at different times - or see if they seem to adopt a specific color scheme.

Great pics BTW

FH
Farm Hunter, that's a very good spin on the subject. Good discussion.
I have a gill in an aquarium for this reason. AND YES THE MOON HAS AN EFFECT ON THE COLOR! If I keep the temp at the 72 mark he throws on a bright chest 3 days before the full moon.
HAAAAAA.... HAAAA HAAAAA! Thats awsume. I will have to remember this one to tell other folks. Oh Lucky me. Wheres some wood to knock on. Im blessed with the I need a hair cut every other week people! I love the glass half full aproach though!
Well now, IMPO, sure, I think that the fishes mood, the water temp, whether or not the fish is spawning, etc, will affect the fishes coloration.

> However, I think if you look at a fish (just for an example, lets say, like shot #4 from above) at different times, it's color would range from darker, more colorful, and with more contrast, to paler, with less contrast.....

But I do not think and individual fish would vary from say the colors of fish #4, to say, fish #3.

I could be wrong, but I'd almost bet my new truck on it :-)

Peace,
Fish
I like some others don't have an explanation. Beautiful pictures of the different phases however.
Bill, Bob Davis from the Rock Lake area. Didn't know how to email you so decided to jump in and let you know the big gills are staging for suspension right now. They are being taken in 12-15 feet of water on the edges of most of the drop-offs and out on the structures that are about that depth. Also I'm off work the entire week of June 29th thru July 3rd so will be fishing most of those days if you're interested in coming up this way. You have my phone #. Sincerely, Bob

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Got 15 medium gills scaled for Sunday supper…..my wife’s favorite way to enjoy a fish fry, fresh and fried whole in crispy corn meal…"
19 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Rose Skimmer…..8/29/2025

I’ve seen these guys in Louisiana and North Carolina…..one of the reasons I like pink jigs, the…
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Check Out The Emerald Green Cheeks on this Flier……8/29/2025

They kind of have a distinctive black line under the eye similar to a chain pickerel but not as…
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

One of a Dozen Largemouth in a Feeding Frenzy….8/29/2025

This river was pretty steady around 76 degrees for surface temperatures…..
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Soaking Live Cricket Tipped Jigs on Bridge Pilings….8/29/2025

"Zoom in to see those popping emerald colors at the base of the tail……this pod of…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Hit a different river today, this time working beavers are more beneficial than river otters……surface temperatures at 76.4 degrees"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

augpick

"The black under the eye and a business mouth……..👍, a true predator!"
Thursday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

augpick

"Yes, and mean eyes, Jeff. A bandit with the black across the Eye!"
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"I found an influx of salt water in some creeks and the bite was muted, moved inland to locate better water conditions and it paid off.."
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"We finally started settling down from crazy water level swings from Hurricane Erin, coolest surface temps in August in 15 years here…"
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

augpick

"Distinct colors and markings……pretty chain pickerel……"
Wednesday
John Sheehan posted photos
Wednesday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service