5 Best States in the Midwest for Big Bluegills
5 Best States in the Midwest for Big Bluegills
The Midwest is a haven for anglers chasing bull bluegills—those plate-sized, hard-fighting panfish that can tip the scales at two pounds or more. From Kentucky’s massive lakes to Nebraska’s quiet ponds, these five states offer prime opportunities to hook into trophy bluegills. Whether you’re casting in farm ponds or sprawling reservoirs, here’s where to find the biggest bluegills in the Midwest this year.
Kentucky
Kentucky claims the crown for the Midwest’s largest bluegill, a 4-pound, 3-ounce giant caught by Phil Conyers in a Hopkins County strip-mine lake. This 16-inch behemoth, taken on a 4-inch artificial worm, fought hard near the dam of the now-defunct lake. Kentucky Lake, spanning 160,309 acres, remains the state’s top bluegill destination, especially in spring when coves with flooded timber and vegetation teem with fish exceeding 8 to 10 inches. Other notable waters include Barren River Lake, Herrington Lake, Fishtrap Lake, Dewey Lake, Beaver Lake, and the smaller Fishing in Neighborhood Lakes (FINS) across 28 counties, all offering chances at slab-sized bluegills.
Illinois
Illinois boasts a storied bluegill legacy, with a 3-pound, 8-ounce state record caught by Darren May in a Jasper County farm pond in 1987. Measuring 13.75 inches long and 16 inches in girth, this fish was a true trophy, caught just months after bluegills were named the state fish. Farm ponds and small lakes near urban areas like Chicago’s Busse Lake are reliable bets, as are larger waters like Clinton Lake, Rand, Crab Orchard, and Horseshoe Lake. Additional hotspots include Chain O’ Lakes, Mermet Lake, Little Grassy Lake, and the Hennepin Canal, where anglers can target bluegills that test both skill and tackle.
Ohio
Ohio’s bluegill fishery is anchored by a 3.28-pound state record caught by Willis D. Nicholes at Salt Fork Reservoir in 1990. This 12.75-inch fish highlights the Buckeye State’s potential for big bluegills, found in nearly every water body from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. Prime locations include Mogadore Reservoir, the Portage Lake system, Highlandtown Lake, Wolf Run Lake, Piedmont Lake, and Pleasant Hill Lake. Ohio’s ponds, especially those managed by the Ohio Electric Power Company, also yield quality fish. Fall fishing can be particularly productive, especially when lakes are quiet during football season.
Missouri
Missouri’s farm ponds are bluegill goldmines, exemplified by an 11.25-inch, 15.25-inch-girth state record caught by 11-year-old Mike Giovanini in 1963. This fish, taken from a farm pond with a simple Zebco and worms, has held the record for over six decades. The state’s agricultural regions brim with ponds capable of producing trophy bluegills, while rivers like the Current and Big Piney and lakes such as Table Rock, Truman, and Tobacco Hills also deliver. Quality bluegill lakes, as noted by fisheries biologist Tory Mason, feature abundant food, high largemouth bass populations to control bluegill numbers, and clean watersheds to maintain water quality.
Nebraska
Nebraska rounds out the list with a 2-pound, 13-ounce state record bluegill caught by Gary Ralson at Grove Lake in 1977. The Nebraska Game and Parks highlights the state’s small- to medium-sized reservoirs like Summit, Walnut Creek, Skyview, and Yankee Hill as top bluegill waters for 2025. In the Sandhills, lakes like Frye and Swan produce trophy fish exceeding one pound, though their lower densities make them a challenge. Pits and ponds such as Verdon and Coot Shallows also shine. Biologist Daryl Bauer advises targeting deeper waters near weed edges for larger bluegills, urging anglers to release these trophies to preserve the fishery.
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