Trophy Bluegills

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Impoundments

For those interested in catching a trophy sunfish now is the time in central Maryland waters. The females remain very heavy with eggs and will not be on the spawning beds but for a brief period of time for egg-laying duties, then will vacate the beds as the darker guardian males protect the eggs and fry in the coming weeks.

Some lakes saw initial bedding as early as April 20th, but recent cold rain and air temperatures have backed fish off to slightly deeper water. I got these trophies while fishing a half a nightcrawler below a small bobber 5-10 yards beyond visible bedding sites. They were 10-11 inches long and released to ensure quality angling for our kids.