Male bluegills build nests (also called beds) for female bluegills to lay eggs in. These spawning beds were built on reefs at Prairie Rose Lake, near Harlan. Photo courtesy of Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

In late May and early June, male bluegill build nests that female bluegill lay eggs in. Bluegill nests are circular depressions, 1 to 2 feet in diameter. Built in clusters called beds, they appear to look like the surface of a golf ball or elephant tracks.

Male bluegills are easy to catch when they are guarding the nests in shallow water. Cast from a distance instead of getting close if the water is clear. Fish will be less finicky if they don’t see you.

Bluegill have small mouths. Keep your hooks, bobbers and bait small and your line light (2 or 4 pound-test). Weighted bobbers will help you cast further. Worms are a great bait option. You can also tip your jig with a small piece of artificial worm.

Look for bluegill on any type of structure in the water. Check out our mobile-friendly fishing atlas to see where habitat features are in your chosen lake. Many near-shore spawning structures and off shore reefs have been added to Iowa waters.

Bluegills can be found in almost every lake across Iowa. Check the weekly fishing report to find out where bluegills are biting.

Media Contact: John Lorenzen, Fisheries Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 712-769-2587.