Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

When do pan fish begin congregating in the shallows to spawn, early April? I haven't fished them in the Spring for years and I would like a ball park figure.

Thanks

PS. Is there a way to follow a topic on this forum such as e-mail notification?

Views: 216

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Mid May for us they usually are But I live in the north east

Hey Bruce...I am in the Mason Dixon area and on most years gills are on bed by late May. Where you are in PA I would surmise that they would bed somewhere from June 1 to June 12, depending on water temps and moon phases and the seasonal progression of spring. It could be sooner or later, depending on other factors like water clarity, and cooler, spring fed water temperatures or even competition with other species...bass, pumpkinseeds, crappies,...for prime spawning substrate. Crappies and bass are usually done by this time, however, but there could be some overlap.

The gills need consistent water in the 70-72 degree range that often is reached regardless of the moon phase, with a full moon period being a 'peak' progression of the spawn, with heightened activity. Every body of water is different, and in some waters its a 'one and done' issue with spawning gills, with the initial 70-degree water condition trumping the lunar phase.

In my region I have seen them spawn as early as April 24 th and have seen fish on beds as late as September 8. Traditionally, a percentage of bluegills in most waters will spawn in and around the full-moon phase every month after the initial spawn. I have one local lake where I saw spawning heighten during full moons in May, June, July and to a lesser degree in August, during 2015.

Hope this helps...

Thanks. My early April projection is too early. As, I remember now,  I was fishing for Crappie and Gills on Mother's Day last year in early May and the fish were still in the shallows and on beds. I will begin my pursuit sometime in April when the water temps near 70. But, I really don't think the lakes will be near 70 that early in the year. 

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
1 hour ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
21 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
21 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish of Dreams on the Albemarle…..6/9/2025

"Thanks Troy…..major league fishing were on Kentucky and Barkley lakes this…"
22 hours ago
Troy Dorman commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
22 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Beautiful Coppernose Which Just Pushed Shallow This Week….6/9/2025

Out of 61 male Coppernose, over half were ten inch class….an amazing thing in public waters
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"After a week of warm nights and high humidity, our bluegill push shallow for the strawberry moon is in full swing…caught 61 Coppernose today"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Few More Ahead of the Coastal Storm…..6/5/2025

"Thanks Dick…..we finally have heat and humidity so plenty of thunderstorms but no…"
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Few More Ahead of the Coastal Storm…..6/5/2025

"Nice one Jeff. I hope those storms are missing you."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Friday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Shore Fishing Trout and Panfish

"Nice healthy-looking Gill."
Friday
John Sheehan posted an album
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Black Crappie in Calico Colors….6/5/2025

"Thanks Bruce….no way to hide it…..this is what I love to do..,,Carolina…"
Thursday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Black Crappie in Calico Colors….6/5/2025

"Enjoy yourself! Of course I know you are!"
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Thursday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service