Bluegill

Although the bluegill is an ideal fish for young anglers, their popularity does not end there. The readily available, tasty bluegill is sought by anglers of all ages and abilities. If you doubt the importance of bluegill to Missouri anglers, note the number of people fishing with bobbers and worms the next time you fish a public lake. In fact, bluegill have the highest harvest rate of any fish in Missouri's lakes.

A key factor in producing quality bluegill fishing is preventing bluegill from becoming too abundant. When bluegill are too abundant, their growth is slow and few, if any, reach desirable sizes. This situation is often referred to as "stunting", is very common, and results in poor bluegill fishing. In Missouri, the most effective way to control bluegill numbers is by maintaining abundant largemouth bass populations. In fact, the best bluegill fishing often occurs in lakes and ponds where bass are so abundant that their growth is slowed.

Bluegill Fishing in Missouri

This scrappy, highly cooperative, member of the sunfish Family is an important part of many childhood fishing memories. The readily available, tasty bluegill is sought by anglers of all ages and abilities. This document provides many fishing tips for this favorite, Missouri resident.