BLUEGILL ACTION IN FARM PONDS

 

Illinois anglers can find good early season bluegill action on farm ponds providing they pay attention to the tackle, the presence, absence, and location of vegetation.

Very dense vegetation reduces predation and as a result has an adverse impact on fish populations.  The increase in the young‑of‑the‑year survival leads to an increase in stunted fish.  If the pond is on your property, you might think about using a garden rake to remove some of the vegetation.

This is not to say that you need to destroy all vegetation.  You just need to thin it.  Plants are important in that the microscopic ones form the base of the aquatic food chain.  Larger algae and plants provide spawning areas, food, and protective cover.  They provide habitat for insects and snails.

Emergent plants and near shore submerged plants protect against erosion of the shoreline.  All plants produce oxygen.

Algae growth is the main vegetation that presents problems to good bluegill growth.  It comes in two forms phytoplankton and in mats of filamentous algae.  Often problem growth relates to the phosphorus content of the pond.

Bluegills prefer water that is deep and clean as well as having a pH of 7.2.  Vegetation prefers similar conditions.  Ponds abound throughout Illinois providing one or more of these factors and containing healthy populations of fish.

Early season water warms in response to the increasing hours of daylight.  Sheltered areas exposed to sunlight are the first to show signs of plant growth.

One of the reasons vegetation is important in fishing a pond is the lack of structure in the bottoms of such waters.  Most are smooth bottom waters with no distinct cover other than the vegetation.  Fish will be scattered.

Anglers spread their efforts until they are able to locate the fish.  By casting to different areas and adjusting the depth at which they are fishing, fish can be located.  If an overflow pipe is available, work the area around it carefully.

A pond constructed by a dam between two hills should have a channel in the middle.  There may be rocks and stumps near the edge of that channel which will attract fish.

Sometimes a previous angler might have placed a fish attracter, such as a clump of Christmas trees.  Once located, the angler can focus his efforts around it.

Casting lures or pitching a live bait offering to any piece of structure often produces that first fish.

Early in the year, bluegills feed on the vegetation in the shallows.  Anglers should stalk them in their feeding areas.  They feed slowly.  A slow presentation of ice fishing spoons and jigs works well under these conditions.

Baits such as spikes, wax worms, etc., can be added to a lure.  Another presentation can be a salmon egg hook with a single split shot about 12 inches above the hook.  Add live bait to the hook and you are in business.

As water conditions warm, the bluegill’s appetite increases.  Scientists have found that bluegills tend to prefer water that has a temperature of 86 degrees or less.  Most often they prefer 77 to 79 degrees.  Smaller fish prefer slightly lower temperature water. This is not to say that they are not active feeders at lower temperatures.

The fact that ice anglers catch bluegills all winter long attests to that fact.  In colder water, tip lures and hooks with a bit of bait fish meat or even small minnows.  The use of a slip bobber allows the angler to make his presentation at any desired depth until he finds the schools of fish.

If the bait or lure is presented deeper, the split shot should be moved further from the bait up to a maximum of 20 inches.

Light tackle is a must in bluegill fishing regardless of the time of the year.  Spinning reels on ultralight rods should be spooled with 2 to 6 pound test line.  The clearer the water, the lighter should be the line.

Some tips to remember are:  1) work the edge of the cover.  2) If working heavy vegetation, set the hook quickly to keep the fish on the surface until you can get it in open water.  3) When the sun is high, work deeper in the vegetation.  4) As the light becomes low, work the edges.

Bluegills in a pond may seem like easy fishing.  With the right tackle, this can be a challenging, exciting, and fast‑paced action.  Good eating too!