What is the best Bluegill lake in the U.S.??????????????????

[Jerry Green]

I would like to see some comments on what members think are some of the best lakes for BIG blugill lakes. By big I mean consistantly one pounders and the possibilty of two over three. I want to plan a trip anywhere in the U.S for a couple weeks of monster bluegills or red ear. Is santee cooper on the list? Any info would be highly appreciated.

[Greg McWilliams]

Mined Land Lakes of Kansas, Over 200 strip mined lakes. Still searching and headed there today!!!!!!!!! So many lakes so littletime!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[John Cachel]

Private lake .... Richmond Mill
and Private farm ponds!

Public lakes ..... Pelican Lake in Neb., few deep clear lakes near San Diego, few natural lakes in Michigan,Deep Creek Lake in Maryland, few lakes away from towns in Florida, Al, and Ga. Less fishing pressure with good number of bass, weeds, lot of shallow and openwater! Lot more out there that you can catch bluegills from 3/4 to 1 1/4 lbs. Fish deeper, live bait and light line! Release for future trophy Bluegills! Big 'gills can be gone quickly and we must release good size panfish!

[John Cachel]

True story and but sad!

Nelson Lake near Hayward in northern Wisconsin is one of the top big bluegills over 2 lbs in old days! Large lake with lot of shallow, plenty of covers and good number of gamefish as Pike, walleye and perch! People catch and keep bluegills from 1 1/2 to little over 2 lbs. Heavy fishing pressure and now big bluegills there is over!
Beaver Dam Lake in Illinois near Springfield is small lake .... about 58 acres and up to 10 feet deep. Lot of weeds and good number of bass. Food as zooplanktons, bugs , etc is every where. Many bluegills over 1 lb in 1970's and 1980's and now 9 inch is good size. This lake is heavy fishing pressure, have shad popuation and bluegill over 10 inch is rare!
We and you are big bluegills fan that we can let bluegills over 1 lb back to water and someday we might be lucky to get a bluegill over 2 lbs for the wall!

[Zach Pierce]

Are the Kansas mines public? Also does anyone know where to catch some each of the following in Oklahoma over a pound:

Shellcracker
Native BG
Coppernose BG
Green Sunfish
Hybrids BG

Do each of these prefer different types of water and or structures?

Thanks

[Allen Morgan]

Zach, Bristow's city lake has Shellcrackers and Green Sunnies to 1 1/2 lbs.  You DON'T need a city permit, which is a bonus.  Take plenty of worms or crickets.

I had my kids out there this past Saturday.  The kids were playing with the smaller sunnies that were on beds right on the shoreline.  I was fishing a ways out, in about 5 FOW, and tagging bigger Bluegills and even a channel cat.  There are two rip-rapped jetties that extend out into the lake; one has a platform on it.  Fish these, and use a slip-cork to get down to bottom about 6' away from the jetty.  That's where the big ones like to hang.

[Jen Nayfly]

Zack, Here's the sight to look at map of mined land lakes. it's on page 2
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Other-Services/Publications/Maps-S...(offset)/20
They are public fishing and hunting grounds about 90 min from Bartlesville Okla

[jacob wilson]

gators wont bother you if ur in a boat fishing im from louisiana and in the swamp there are some monster bluegill and big warmouth or goggle eye best bait is crickets and plastic tubes under a pegged cork u will kill em

[Marisa Armendariz]

Lake Havasu ! (:

[william lint]

santee cooper lakes sc

[Vic Tankersley]

Let me think...yep .....Lake Guntersville Alabama has to be one of the best in the south , it's known for Big stringers of bass but the bluegill and shellcrackers fishing is number one in the state..50 fish limit

[Dennis]

Hands down Lake Havasu consistently has the biggest I have seen anywhere

[Eddie]

Reelfoot Lake in NW Tennessee !