Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus
Identification
This sunfish has a dark opercular flap and a round body with blue and orange hues.
Location
Common statewide
Size
4 to 12 inches
Diet
It feeds on insects small fish and zooplankton.
Habitat
It occurs in ponds lakes and slow rivers.
Activity Period
Year round
Behavior
It forms large colonies during spawning. It is active year round.
Lifecycle
Breeding occurs in summer in large nesting groups.
Population
The population is stable statewide.
History
It has long been abundant in Ohio.
Human Interactions
It is popular for youth fishing.
Facts
It is one of the most common freshwater fish.
Sources
ODNR academic sources
Insects small fish zooplankton | Lakes ponds slow rivers | Statewide