Bluegill

Bluegill fishing around Madisonville, Kentucky, is a delightful and accessible pastime. Several smaller lakes and ponds in the area, along with portions of Lake Beshear, offer excellent bluegill habitat. These panfish thrive in weedy areas and around submerged structure. Spring and early summer, during the spawning season, are particularly productive. Look for bluegill beds in shallow water near the shoreline. A simple setup of a bobber, hook, and worm is often all you need. Crickets and mealworms are also effective baits. A local trick is to add a small split shot a few inches above the hook to help keep your bait down in the strike zone. The bluegill in this region are known for their good size, with many reaching 8-10 inches. Remember to practice catch and release, especially with the larger fish, to help maintain a healthy population.