Go Fish
A Species by Species Guide For Hot Action
Story by Mick Klemesrud and Photos by Brian Button

Bluegills

Pre-spawn:
Look for trees or rock piles in 6 to 10 feet of water. Use a 1/32- to 1/80-ounce jig tipped with a wax worm or piece of night crawler. If shore fishing, use a bobber. From a boat, either straight line fish or use a bobber. Fishing slowly in cool water, give the bait a twitch to spark a strike.

TIP:
Bluegills have a small mouth, so use small bait and hooks.

During spawn (mid-May to mid-June) look for spawning beds in bays or near shore in areas out of the wind. Beds will be in water 2 feet deep or less with sandy or gravel bottoms with dished-out depressions that look like elephant footprints. Use small jigs tipped with small bait. Add a small split shot to help cast. Set a bobber about the size of a thumbnail, 18 to 20 inches above bait. Cast beyond the bed and slowly pull it through. This will likely produce a fish per cast. A 6-foot rod can help when casting light tackle. Stay as far from the beds as possible to avoid spooking fish.

Fisheries biologist favorite:
Use black marabou jigs. They float in 2 to 3 feet of water and imitate a variety of insects.

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Full story includes Bluegills, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappies, Walleye, Flathead Catfish, Wipers, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Yellow Bass, Freshwater Drum, Trout as well as how to read a stream, tips for fishing with kids, map of fishing holes in Iowa! Don't miss out!

Get the rest of the story "Go Fish"
in the 2010 March April Issue: