Discover The Largest Bluegill Ever Caught In Louisiana

Who doesn’t love fishing? It is the perfect way to appreciate the peaceful side of nature, and test your primate skills of catching a meal. Fishing can be extremely competitive, especially when doing it with family and friends. You may be looking to catch the largest fish, or even a rare specimen not encountered often. Bluegills are abundant in the eastern United States. Here you will discover the largest bluegill ever caught in Louisiana.

Breaking a fishing record is a desirable achievement by most anglers. Some records go unbroken for decades until one skilled fisherman is lucky enough to catch a prized fish. Let’s take a look at the largest bluegill ever caught in Louisiana, and other interesting facts about the very common sunfish.

Bluegills

Found across North America, bluegills are native to the eastern United States. Spring and summer is not only the perfect time to go outdoors, but this time of year is also the best time to fish for bluegill. Not only are bluegills very common in Louisiana but they are a beloved fish common across the eastern U.S.

The ability to reproduce very quickly makes them a sustainable, and amazing food source for larger fish like bass, or even humans. Bluegills are a member of the sunfish family, which also includes members like largemouth bass, pumpkinseed fish, and crappies.

Bluegill is the most common in their family and inhabits freshwater sources like lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and reservoirs. In Louisiana, bluegills are prominent in the summer. They hang around grass beds, thick vegetation, and fallen logs. Bluegill tends to stay close to the water bank. In summer, adults are in the open water. Fishing for bluegill is common because of its abundance in Louisiana’s freshwater sources. 

Size

Bluegills are one of the types of sunfish that grow large enough to be seen by fishermen as a good catch, but like all fish, their weight and sizes vary. On average bluegills reach a length of about 7.5 inches, and weigh around 2.6 lbs. The largest bluegills grow up to 14 to 16 inches, and typically bluegills males are what is targeted by anglers because of their larger size.

The heads and mouths of bluegill are small, and hook sizes from No. 6 to No. 10 are recommended for effective latches. Their bodies are round and saucer-shaped. Colors vary greatly from dark blue, to yellow, purplish, or even a mix of these colors. Vertical dark stripes run down their bodies. 

Diet

Bluegills eat smaller prey like aquatic insects, shrimp, worms, snails, and larvae. Their diet varies and depends on factors like the scarcity or abundance of food available in their habitats. They sometimes consume smaller fish like minnows, or if food is rare they may feed on their own young, and fish eggs. 

Nightcrawlers, worms, grasshoppers, crickets, and mealworms are effective baits that entice this fish to bite. If you feel a bite, you only need light force to effectively set the hook in bluegill.

Predators

The largemouth bass is the most common predator that bluegills face. Keeping a balance of both fish populations helps create a fun fishing environment. Other larger fish, raccoons, waterfowl, and humans are other predators of the bluegill. Being very common, bluegills have an abundant and stable population. 

What Is The Largest Bluegill Ever Caught In Louisiana?

The largest bluegill ever caught in Louisiana is by fisherman Tim Trahan when he reeled in a state-record bluegill weighing in at 2.24 lbs. Mr. Trahan, aged 65 years old, caught the record fish on May 30, 2022. While fishing in his buddy’s private pond in Arcadia, La. It was shocking to Trahan to see the prize fish at the end of his line. 

After reeling in the fish he brought the fish to K&M Coffee, Corks, and Camo in Farmerville to get its weight. The Wildlife and Fisheries Department confirmed its record-breaking weight, and Trahan mounted his prized bluegill. The previous record for the largest bluegill ever caught in Louisiana was a 1.72 lb. bluegill, caught in 2016 by Dwaine Payne. 

The Largest Bluegill Ever Caught In The Wolrd

The largest bluegill ever caught in the world was fished out of Ketona Lake in Alabama and weighed 4 lbs, 12 ounces. This fish was caught in 1950, by angler T. Hudson. Along with being very heavy, this record-setting fish had a length of 15 inches, and a girth of 18.25 in. The size of bluegill depends on factors like its age, nutrition available, and adequate water space to grow. 

Other Types Of Fish In Louisiana

Louisiana is home to around 224 species of fish, which include the bluegill. There are around 165 freshwater fish, 28 marine species, and 31 types of diadromous fish. 

Some common fish in Louisiana include:

• Red Snappers
• Largemouth Bass
• Black Crappie
• White Bass
• Striped Bass
• Channel Catfish
• Sauger
• Rock Bass
• Perch

Along with having the right licenses and gear, knowing the type of fish you are looking to catch is extremely important when getting out into the water. The season, bait, and location are all things to consider when angling. With the right gear and luck, maybe you will be the next person to catch a record-breaking fish. 

Where Is Louisiana Located On A Map?

Louisiana is located in the southern part of the United States. It is bordered by Texas to the west, Mississippi to the east, Arkansas to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Arcadia is located in the northern part of the state, between Monroe and Shreveport.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/mpwoodib