Low riskEdible
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
The pond staple. Black ear flap, dark spot on the soft dorsal.
- Marks
- Dark ear flap; dorsal spot
- Size
- 4–8 in typical
- Habitat
- Ponds and slow creek pools.
- Season
- Beds in May–June on full moons. Easy all summer.
- Frequency
- abundant
A deep-bodied sunfish, olive with vertical bars, blue-black gill flap, and a dusky blotch on the back of the dorsal fin.
Uses
Pan-fried whole. A well-managed pond is a quiet protein factory.