UTERBluegill fishing in Minnesota freshwater
In Minnesota freshwater, bluegill peak March and June–August and December–January and are around December–October, spawning in June–July, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Ice bluegill in the weeds of the small lakes.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Bluegill in Minnesota freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakIce bluegill in the weeds of the small lakes.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchPeakLast-ice panfish — the best of the season.
- AprilAround
- MayArriving
- JuneSpawningOn the beds in two feet of water.
- JulySpawning
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish bluegill near Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake
The land of lakes: walleye, pike, muskie, perch and crappie on ten thousand lakes, half the year through the ice — Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech, Red — plus the Rainy River's walleye and sturgeon.
What to use for bluegill
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Wax wormsOne or two on a tiny ice jig or a #10 hook for bluegill, perch and crappie, under the ice or a float.
- Grass shrimpTwo or three on a #6 hook under a small cork — the bream, crappie, sheepshead and mangrove snapper bait nobody sells.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–92°F water, best at 68–82°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch bluegill in Minnesota freshwater?
Peak season is March and June–August and December–January, with fish spawning in June–July (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Bluegill are in Minnesota freshwater December–October. January: Ice bluegill in the weeds of the small lakes.
Where do bluegill hold in Minnesota freshwater?
Look on pond / pit, lake, reservoir, dock / pilings, creek / stream — around Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Leech Lake, Upper Red Lake, Lake Vermilion, Rainy River.
What is the best bait for bluegill in Minnesota freshwater?
Live bait: nightcrawlers, wax worms, grass shrimp. Nightcrawlers: Whole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for bluegill in Minnesota freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota DNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/fishing/index.html.
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All about bluegill · Minnesota fresh water, the whole year