Easy to catch and tons of fun, Sunfish will turn any kid with a rod into a diehard angler. Just take a stroll to your local lake, and odds are you’ll see somebody reeling in these small, colorful fish. But if you stop and ask what they’re catching, neither one of you might be so sure. Is it Sunfish or is it Bluegill? What’s the difference, anyway? Let’s settle the “Bluegill vs. Sunfish” dilemma right here and now.
From how to tell them apart to where they live and how to catch them, you’re about to become the neighborhood know-it-all.
Sunfish Species
First off, let’s clarify. Bluegill are Sunfish. They belong to the Centrarchidae family, a variety of species known collectively as Sunfish. There are many species in this family, and Bluegill is just one of them. If it helps, consider the name Bluegill shorthand for “Bluegill Sunfish,” since this is what the fish is.
Their family tree is bigger than you think. We’re not just talking about Bluegill and dozens of species with Sunfish in their name, but also Rock Bass. That means that top-tier game fish like Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass share their genetics. From casual beginners to seasoned tournament anglers, everyone is catching Sunfish!
When people mention Sunfish in casual conversation, however, they usually mean anything other than Bluegill and Bass. This is where the Bluegill vs. Sunfish mix-up begins.
Add to that some additional terms like “Bream” and “Panfish” and now you’ve got a real headache. In the US, Bream usually refers to Bluegill – and maybe a few other large and round Sunfish species. Meanwhile, Panfish is a more general term that encompasses Sunfish, Crappie, and Perch.
So:
- All Bluegill are Bream, but not all Bream are Bluegill
- All Bluegill and Bream are Sunfish, but not all Sunfish are Bluegill or Bream
- All Sunfish are Panfish, but not all Panfish are Sunfish
This makes it possible for you to catch all of the above by hooking one single fish: the humble Bluegill. Pretty cool – if a little confusing!
How to Identify Bluegill vs. Sunfish
If we rule out Bass, there are roughly a dozen kinds of Sunfish in the US. And all of them look pretty similar. They’re small, pan-shaped fish with tiny mouths and voracious appetites. Their dorsal fins are spiked at the front and rounded at the back, and most have slightly forked tails. Something you’ll see on every Sunfish is a dark spot near their head. This is the gill plate, and it will help you recognize them compared to other species.
The main difference you can see between various Sunfish is color – and, in some cases, their markings. These very clues will help you distinguish Bluegill from other Sunfish:
Gill Cover (Opercular Flap):
- Bluegill have a dark, flexible flap on the edge of their gill plate, which looks either blue or purple. This is, of course, how they got their name!
- Other Sunfish have dark gill plates as well, but this sometimes has orange, red, or white trim.
Body Color:
- Bluegill usually have a deep blue or green back, along with orange or yellow bellies. Vertical stripes also run down their sides.
- Many other Sunfish are brown, yellow, or olive green. Some have spots, and some have stripes running across their cheeks.
Pectoral Fins:
- Most Sunfish have short, rounded side fins.
- Bluegill sidefins are long and pointed.
Mouth Size: Bluegill have smaller mouths than some species. This can help you distinguish them from Green Sunfish or Warmouth, whose large down-turned mouths are more Bass-like.
Distribution and Habitat
Bluegill and other Sunfish are among the most widespread species in North America. Thanks to their adaptability, they’ve been introduced to waters all over the world.
Bluegill are native to the central and eastern US. Nowadays, they’re the most common fish in the country – just one reason why they’re so popular. They enjoy calm, warm waters with lots of vegetation and structure like rocks and fallen logs.
Other Sunfish have similar preferences, but you’ll often find them thriving in slightly shallower or stagnant waters. Some species are very particular, such as Redear Sunfish, which prefer deeper lakes, and Longear Sunfish, which favor clear, flowing streams.
Sunfish of all kinds thrive in weedy coves, along dock edges, and near submerged brush piles. Look anywhere that bait fish or insects gather, and you’re likely to find Sunfish of some kind.
Bluegill and Sunfish Behavior
Still not seeing much difference? Yeah, you’re not gonna. These fish that look alike and live in the same places also eat a lot of the same stuff.
Bluegill feed on insects, larvae, zooplankton, and small invertebrates. They’ll also eat small minnows or crayfish when available. Other Sunfish have similar diets, although Redear Sunfish are known for eating snails and other hard-shelled critters, thanks to a second set of teeth designed for crushing such things.
Bluegill and Sunfish spawn in spring and early summer, when water temperatures reach the mid-60s to 70s. During this time, they gather in large numbers, which makes for great sight fishing. Males are particularly aggressive biters while guarding their nests in shallow, sandy bottoms.
Some Sunfish are more solitary than others. This is the case with Warmouth and Green Sunfish, compared to Bluegill, which form schools. Another difference is that Bluegill aren’t picky eaters. Their aggressive attitude keeps them eager to bite. This is how they end up as many anglers’ first fish!
How to Catch Bluegill vs. Sunfish
By now, it’s no surprise that Bluegill and Sunfish are easy to catch. No matter what gear or conditions you’re working with, there’s a way to make it happen. Frankly, you don’t need to do much more than plop a line in the water. But there are ways to make it more challenging for yourself:
- Live Bait Fishing. It doesn’t get any more classic than this. Live bait fishing is especially productive around docks, weed beds, and drop-offs. You can fish worms, crickets, or mealworms on a small hook under a bobber.
- Artificial Lures. Tiny jigs, spinners, or soft plastic grubs work wonders, especially when fish are active. A 1/32 or 1/64 oz jighead with a curly tail or tube bait is deadly for Bluegill.
- Float and Drift Fishing. In slow rivers or ponds, drifting a baited hook below a float lets you cover more ground. Adjust your depth until you find the strike zone.
- Fly Fishing: This is especially productive during summer evenings when fish rise to feed on surface insects. Bluegill love popping bugs, foam spiders, and small nymphs. Use a 3 or 4 wt rod that’s between 7½ and 9 feet long.
- Ice Fishing. In northern states, Bluegill and Sunfish provide steady winter action. Use waxworms or spikes on small ice jigs, and fish close to the bottom in weed-lined holes.
Bluegill and Sunfish Fishing Gear
You don’t need much to hit the water and start hooking ’em. In fact, ultralight setups are ideal for these fun-sized fish.
A 5–6′ ultralight spinning rod with a soft tip offers a lot of sensitivity and action-packed fights. Pair it with a 500–1000 size spinning reel and 2–6 lb mono line. In clear water, fluorocarbon will help you target skittish fish.
Size 8–12 hooks will be plenty big enough. Keep weight and bobbers small when you’re bait fishing so you can feel these tiny fish when they bite.
Tip for beginners! Sunfish go for variety, so stock your tackle box with hooks, bobbers, a few soft plastics, spare jigs, and a split shot.
Bluegill and Sunfish Fishing Spots
You can catch Bluegill and Sunfish almost anywhere. If you’re looking to get started, find the nearest fishing lake or pond. For non-stop action, these are some of the best places to go:
Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Lake Okeechobee is a year-round haven for big Bluegill and Redear Sunfish. Look for them in shallow grassy flats and canal edges, especially in spring and early summer. You can keep up to 50 Panfish per day in Florida, including an aggregate of Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, and more.
Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee
Known for its rich habitat and cypress stumps, Reelfoot Lake supports strong populations of Bluegill and other Sunfish. You can expect peak action during the spring when they spawn. There’s no size or creel limit for these species, with the exception of Redear Sunfish, which is limited to 20 per day.
Clear Lake, California
Clear Lake‘s weedy shallows are excellent for Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Redear Sunfish. Try fishing along docks or tules from April to June. California has a combined bag limit of 25 Sunfish and Crappie.
Lake Guntersville, Alabama
It may be better known for Bass, but Lake Guntersville also has stellar Bluegill and Sunfish fishing. Look for them in coves and creek arms when water temperatures rise. Alabama’s bag limit for Sunfish is 50 per day.
Minnesota’s 10,000 Lakes
From Lake Minnetonka to Leech Lake, Minnesota offers endless opportunities to catch Bluegill and Sunfish. The best time to target them is from spring through early fall. Minnesota’s statewide regulations limit anglers to an aggregate of 20 Sunfish per day, but some lakes allow you to keep fewer than this, depending on local sustainability initiatives.
Lake Havasu, Arizona
When we said you can catch Sunfish anywhere, we really meant it – including the desert. Lake Havasu is a surprisingly productive spot for Sunfish, especially Redear, which grow to trophy sizes here. The best time to fish is spring and early summer when they’re nesting. There’s no bag limit for Bluegill or any other Sunfish on Lake Havasu.
Chesapeake Bay Tributaries, Maryland/Virginia
The brackish backwaters of the Chesapeake Bay hold good numbers of Pumpkinseed and Bluegill. They’re most active from spring through summer, especially near structure and marsh edges. Maryland has an aggregate daily bag limit of 30 Sunfish, while in Virginia, the aggregate limit is 50.
Bluegill vs. Sunfish FAQs
Bluegill vs. Sunfish: Same, But Different
They look alike, they fight alike, and they live in many of the same places. So, why do anglers talk about Bluegill vs. Sunfish like they’re totally different fish?
The best answer we can give you is: They don’t. Anglers single out Bluegill because it’s the most widely accessible Sunfish. This species lives virtually everywhere in the US and is super easy to catch. Naturally, it gets top billing.
It’s like comparing McDonald’s to every other burger chain. One is undeniably iconic, the gateway that opens up an entire world to you – whether that’s fast food or fast fishing.
Have we cleared up the Bluegill vs. Sunfish debate for you? Maybe you have some more questions? Reach out with all your comments below!
