Welcome to FishExplorer.com! Fish Explorer is a member-driven resource for Colorado lakes, designed to make it easy for you to find lakes, fish species, maps, and fishing tips and reports. Help us maintain current water temps, water levels, and other elements by submitting lake updates.
Only lakes in the Fish Explorer database are included in this listing. Lakes we feature on this website are hyperlinked.
Ahh the joys of childhood and catching bluegills on a bobber and worm...at least that's how it was for us. But this hard-fighting panfish has a dedicated following, more so than just child's play. Bluegill in Colorado can grow large and are plentiful in numerous ponds and lakes throughout the state. So chances are there's a body of water very close to you that is stocked (and stacked) with bluegill. The state record for weight tips the scales at 2 pounds 4 ounces, and they can grow in upwards of 12" long. Get one of these hooked onto your lightweight fly or spin rod and it'll definitely take you for a spin! And while you're at it, take a kid out who could use a little fishing time!
Colorado Master Angler Award qualifying length for bluegill is 10 inches.
Colorado Released Fish Record for Bluegill is 12.5 inches.
From the Colorado DOW: This sunfish has a short and deep body. As with all sunfish, the dorsal (top) fin is not split. The bluegill has a small mouth on a short head and a dark gill flap with no trim. There are parallel vertical bars on the side with long, pointed pectoral (side) fins. A male bluegill in breeding colors has brilliant blue fins and a red-orange stomach. The female bluegill is dark on the back with vertical stripes on the body. Bluegills are best caught in the morning or evening using small tackle ranging from a bobber and worm to delicate dry flies. Once one bluegill is located, others will be nearby. Bluegill spawn in colonies from late spring to August, building nests on gravel, sand, mud, leaves, or sticks in 1-4 feet of water. As summer heat becomes extreme, these fish move to deeper water and the shade of weed beds. On Green Sunfish: This fish is similar in appearance to the bluegill, but has a larger mouth and is olive in color with short, rounded pectoral fins and yellow trim on the fins. This stocky fish is found in both streams and impoundments and spawns in shallow areas from June to mid-August. Like most sunfish, this sporty panfish can be taken with crickets, worms, and other bait rigged under a bobber, or with small lures, jigs, and flies.
