Bluegill Sunfish

Bluegill Sunfish are native to most of North America and are popular feed and sport fish. They can be found in many small ponds and are easily identified by the black spot visible on their gill plate in conjunction with the dark vertical bars on their sides. Bluegills will swim in schools of 20-30 individuals and prefer calm water with abundant cover such as weed beds, docks, logs and lily pads. Feed usually consists of insects, small crustaceans and some plant material. Full grown fish will average 6-8 inches. Males will construct a saucer shaped nest approximately 2-3 inches deep and 1-2 feet in diameter. Spawning occurs in the spring and summer when water temperatures reach 70-80 degrees F.

NOTE ON SHIPPING FISH: If you would like us to ship your fish directly to you, you must be within the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia. Fish will only ship during the available season. Shipping is calculated at checkout and only offered via UPS overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bluegill should I stock per acre?

We recommend up to 300 bluegill sunfish per acre. Our 3-5 inch fish establish quickly and, once water reaches 70-80°F, spawn through spring and summer to build your pond's forage base.

Will bluegill overpopulate my pond?

Not in a balanced pond - adequate bass predation keeps bluegill numbers in check. Overpopulation usually points to too few predators, not a bluegill problem. Pairing up to 300 bluegill with up to 100 bass per acre maintains the balance.

How big do bluegill get?

Full-grown bluegill average 6-8 inches. They travel in schools of 20-30 and favor calm water with cover - weed beds, docks, logs, and lily pads - where they feed on insects and small crustaceans. They are outstanding sport on light tackle.

When are bluegill available?

April through November, excluding July-August when we pause fish transport due to heat. Spring stockings typically spawn the same season.

How do I get live bluegill from Mid-Atlantic Stocking?

Three ways: free pickup at a scheduled delivery-route stop (routes run roughly monthly, April-October), UPS Next Day Air shipping every Wednesday (order by Tuesday 5 PM) to CT, DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA & WV, or direct-to-pond delivery by quote. Fish are packaged with water and pure oxygen.

What if some fish do not survive the trip?

All our fish are certified disease-free, and we replace any mortality over 5% - in transit, or within 48 hours of introduction when the acclimation directions are followed. Document losses with photos and file a Mortality Report on our website.