Bluegill Nesting

Bluegill Fish

Next time you are walking along the edge of a lake or pond, look closely into the shallow water.  Often you will see a shallow, circular hole in the sand - these are Bluegill nests.

Between May and August, males arrive at mating site and begin sweeping out nests with their tails.  Nests are usually 6 to 10 inches in diameter.  Despite how protective males are of their nests, they often place their nests very close to each other.  Once the nest is built, males begin circling their nests and grunting in hopes to attract females.  Other than the grunting, females are mainly attracted to larger males.  Once the female enters the nests, the male becomes aggressive towards the females, but if she stays they will begin the spawning process.  After circling each other they will come to rest in the middle and touch bellies to spawn.  They will repeat this process several times at random intervals, the female laying between 10,000 to 60,0000 eggs.

Since fertilization of the eggs is down externally, smaller males will often hide in surrounding seaweed waiting for the female to release her eggs.  He will then swoop-in in attempt to fertilize the eggs himself.

Once spawning is complete, the male chases the females out and protects the eggs until the larvae are able to hatch and swim away on their own.  Males are extremely protective of their nest, mainly from other fish, but have often attacked humans coming to close to their nests.  This agitated state is why spawning season is also a great fishing season.  The agitation causes them to snap at almost anything.