my Okoboji images

Blue Gill

One that got away: The gold hook is still in the mouth of this bluegill. It trails the broken line as it swims near the top of The Tower. After making the picture, Cunningham grabbed the end of the line, drew in the fish and released the hook. The bluegill continued to circle the tower after it was released.

Bluegill spawn in Okoboji to about 12 feet deep, always on hard sandy bottoms. They sweep away the lose sand and lay their eggs in the center of a round nest. Keeping constant watch on the eggs, the males use their tail fins to flick away silt and weeds that drift onto the eggs. They poke at divers who come too close. Bluegill nest in spawning beds. dozens of clustered nests pot-marking yards of the sandy bottom.

See Other Images The Lost Sailboat \| The Tower \| Hafer Wreck \| Allen Ice Truck \| Bass \| Bluegill \| Other Structures \| Surface Images \| About the Photographer
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