UTERBluegill fishing in Michigan freshwater
In Michigan 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 inland lakes.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Bluegill in Michigan freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakIce bluegill in the inland lakes.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchPeak
- AprilAround
- MayArriving
- JuneSpawningOn the beds.
- JulySpawning
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish bluegill near Au Sable River, Pere Marquette, Houghton Lake
Eleven thousand inland lakes for walleye, pike, bass and panfish, the Au Sable and Pere Marquette trout rivers, and the Great Lakes' runs (see the lake guides).
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 Michigan 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 Michigan freshwater December–October. January: Ice bluegill in the inland lakes.
Where do bluegill hold in Michigan freshwater?
Look on pond / pit, lake, reservoir, dock / pilings, creek / stream — around Au Sable River, Pere Marquette, Houghton Lake, Lake St. Clair, Burt Lake, Manistee River.
What is the best bait for bluegill in Michigan 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 Michigan freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/license-info.
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All about bluegill · Michigan fresh water, the whole year