Top Bluegill Destinations

[WI Gills]

I'm putting together a trip for trophy bluegill for the beginning of August. I realize this isn't the primetime of the year to do so, but I have to go when I have available time.

 

I may be willing to drive to other states, so, where do you guys think would be a great destination for a trip in search of giant gills? (I'm located in Wisconsin)

 

I know Richmond Mill is a dream destination, but I don't really want to dish out 600 bucks for one day of fishing.

 

Any Ideas?

 

Thanks Guys!

[Jim Gronaw]

You might want to consider Deep Creek Lake in the extreme western panhandle of Maryland. This is a mountain top tourist lake that has extensive boating traffic from Memorial Day to Labor Day, hence, it is best fished in the fall or late spring before the boat traffic gets rowdy. May, September or October can be good, and some impressive fish are caught through the ice as well.

Warmer weather patterns will have lots of gills under the floating docks throughout the lake and live earthworms will take fish. Others will be caught on beds during late June and into July...but only early and late in the day prior to the onslaught of pleasure boaters at these time frames.

Few bluegill locals will dish out their favorite spots, but the shallower upper region of this 3900 acre lake may see spawning activity as early as late May, but usually into July. September is a good month as boating is way down and the lake is still warm and fish are shallow and shoreline/dock oriented. Hundreds of 10 to 11 inch bluegills are taken here every year and the current state record of 3 lbs 7 ozs was a DCL fish. My best catch here was seven gills at slightly over 8 pounds thru the ice on 1/32 oz jigheads with a waxworm in the McHenry Cove.

For additional info you can check out fishdeepcreek.com and try to work out a trip. This is also one of the best places in the nation for a shot at a 2 pound plus yellow perch, which I have taken three 2 lbers there.

hope this helps! good luck!

[WI Gills]

Thanks Jim! I'm going to check that out. Would an August trip be too hectic with all the pleasure boaters?

[Jim (Ike) Isaac]

I am fortunate to live in SoCal where several lakes provide an honest shot at a 2lb Bluegill. I have provided links to more information about them below. You can also read more about them in the "Quest for 2-lb Bluegills" in the April/May 2010 edition of the In-Fisherman magazine.

http://www.socalcamping.com/000SanJacinto/lakeskinner.html
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=651
http://www.dvlake.com/
http://www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/lotay.shtml

Lake Skinner, Lake Perris and Diamond Valley Lake are located within about 25 miles of each other. Lower Otay is about 70 miles south of them but it is freeway all the way.

Good luck. If you decide to come out, give me a shout at [e-mail]

[Jim Gronaw]

Unfortunately, August is one of the worst times to try and fish DCL due to the 'last minute rush' of everybody getting in those last vacation days of summer. After Labor day is much better, and the rates will be lower as well.

Jim Issac is right about those So-Cal lakes...much better chance at a 2 pound trophy than DCL.

[Jonathan Rawls]

My wife and I went to Callaway Gardens in Ga about 5yrs ago and had a wonderful time. We fished with Kent Edmonds. Caught alot of nice gills, 1lb plus. Callaway is made up of several ponds/lakes. Some anyone can fish and other( the one's you want to fish) require a guide. Great time and will do again.
http://www.flyfishga.com is where you can find more info about Callaway and Kent.

[Matthew J. Breuer]

Look up McDonald's fish ponds. The guy who owns McDoanld's Meats (famous meat market in MN) owns a set of ponds in NW Wisconsin and he rents a cabin on the lakes. It's relatively cheap, and you'll touch lips with numerous fish in the 10" class...

[WI Gills]

Hmm, that sounds really interesting, but I can't seem to find any information on it online. Maybe I'll try getting ahold of them through the meat market website. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Jeff Soto]

Go west to Southern Califonia! Lake Barrett in San Diego County! This lake is known for it's fantastic bass fishing, but for me, it's Bluegill heaven! The Bluegills are just huge and there are so many! Also my local Bluegill Bonanza... Lake Perris. I am so lucky to live within a 25 minute drive to the lake. Many of my photos on my page are from Perris and Barrett. A world record Bluegill is in Lake Perris.

[Jim (Ike) Isaac]

Lake Barrett requires reservations.
Reservations for Lake Barrett can be made by calling Ticket Master at 619.220.8497 or on their website at www.ticketmaster.com

See
http://sdfish.com/index.php/places-to-fish-in-san-diego-county/lake...
and
http://sdfish.com/index.php/forum/lake-barrett-seasonal-forum/

for more information

[JBplusThuy]

Barrett is strictly C & R for bass, is that the case for bluegill as well?

[Jeff Soto]

Yes! Every fish you catch, no matter what kind it is or size, has to be quickly released. No bait of any kind, only lures with barbless hooks. And when they say barbless, they mean it. I had my hooks checked by a state fish & game warden on a piece of nylon. Has to pull through smoothly.