Lepomis macrochirus
One of North America's most common sunfish: small, deep-bodied, and brightly colored, with a black "ear" on the gill cover. Introduced to Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, it strikes small baits and flies near vegetation.
Also called: bluegill, bluegill sunfish, sunfish
Bluegill is a deep-bodied, laterally compressed centrarchid native to eastern North America and northern Mexico, now spread to many countries as a sport fish and as forage for largemouth bass. FishBase records introductions in Mexico, Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and El Salvador, and notes adverse ecological effects in some of these countries; in Brazil there is a record of introduction without an established population. It lives in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and slow rivers, in shallow, warm water with lots of vegetation, and eats insects, snails, small crustaceans, and small fish. Males build nests in colonies in shallow water and guard them. It rarely exceeds 25 cm, but it fights well for its size and is the gateway to light-tackle fishing.
Deep-bodied and laterally compressed, olive-green on the back, with bluish and purplish sheens on the flanks and faint vertical bars. The most reliable sign is the "ear": the gill cover flap is almost all black, sometimes with an iridescent blue edge; there is also a dark spot at the rear of the dorsal fin. It has a small mouth and long, pointed pectoral fins, and the breeding male has an orange chest. It is told apart from the green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), which has a large mouth, and from the pumpkinseed (L. gibbosus), which has a red spot on the edge of the ear.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Does not occur naturally in Brazil. Native to eastern North America, from the St. Lawrence basin and the Great Lakes to the Gulf and northern Mexico. Introduced, according to FishBase, to Mexico (outside its native range), Cuba, Panama (1955), Puerto Rico (1915), Venezuela (1955 to 1959), and El Salvador (1957, probably without an established population).
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and slow rivers, in shallow, warm water with lots of vegetation; backwaters, oxbows, and submerged timber. Tolerates slightly brackish water, up to about 10 ppt.
In the tropics it bites all year; in northern Mexico and high-altitude lakes, cold winters reduce activity. Spawning runs from April to September, in water of about 21 to 32 °C: males defend shallow nests in colonies and strike small baits.
Daytime, with peaks at dawn and dusk. FishBase records more activity at dawn and dusk, and the Texas literature describes feeding during the day. On hot days, the best times are the two ends of the day.
Cold water slows activity; the best days are those with water above about 20 °C.
A sudden change in weather reduces activity for a few hours.
Small effect.
Light rain doesn't bother them; very murky water reduces the visibility of the lure.
A stable level keeps fish close to the vegetation; a rapid rise scatters them.
Moderate: approach the shallow nests carefully.
A light breeze on the bank gathers insects and gets the fish active.
From the surface to 3 m, near vegetation, submerged timber, and rocks; during nesting season, at 0.3 to 1 m.
lures
natural baits
accessories
Cast near the vegetation and submerged timber and let the lure fall slowly: the strike is usually light.
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Assessed on Aug 21, 2018 as Least Concern. Outside its native range, FishBase classifies it as a potential pest and records adverse ecological effects in the countries where it was introduced.
The responsible fishing standard for federal inland waters sets a minimum catch size of 135 mm total length for Lepomis macrochirus. The reservoirs in Annex 1 of the standard may have their own size.
Source: NOM-060-SAG/PESC-2014, item 4.3.3, DOF May 27, 2014 (Sagarpa/Conapesca)
In Mexico's federal inland waters, recreational fishing for freshwater species is limited to 5 fish per angler per day (this also applies to bluegill). Each reservoir's committee may lower the bag limit and set sizes. Only one rod per angler may be in use, and using live fish as bait is prohibited. Fish kept may not be sold, and any fish over the limit must be returned alive to the water. No permit is required to fish from the bank; a permit is required from a boat.
The introduction of live aquatic species, at any life stage, for aquaculture or stocking may only be allowed by Conapesca, with a technical opinion from Inapesca, and also requires an environmental resolution from Semarnat and a health resolution from the competent authorities. Moving live fish from one body of water to another, or releasing fish from ponds or aquariums into rivers and reservoirs, counts as introduction and would require that process.
Source: NOM-060-SAG/PESC-2014, items 4.13 and 4.14, DOF May 27, 2014 (Sagarpa/Conapesca)
Use a barbless hook and fine pliers: the mouth is small. If the fish swallows the hook, cut the line close to the mouth. Where the species is introduced, do not move live fish to another water body.
White, delicate flesh from a small fish: usually fried whole or in thin fillets.
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.0138, b = 3.13; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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The season factors (months), the time of day, and the sensitivities (cold, pressure, moon, wind, rain, tide, strong light, murky water, and noise) are editorial estimates by the app, based on the literature cited below and on field experience of anglers and guides. They are not official data or measurements made for this species and may vary by region and year. Closed seasons and legal rules appear in the rules section, with the standard and link. Depth, gear, and baits are editorial recommendations, based on the species' habits and on common light-tackle practice.
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