The fish that teaches kids to watch a bobber. Small, plentiful, and the backbone of Fishing in the City water.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Weedy shallows, docks, and shoreline structure at Legg, Echo Park, Balboa, El Dorado, and almost every park lake.
Sunfish and crappie share a 25-fish combined bag, no size limit in LA waters (T14 CCR §5.82). Bluegill, redear, and green sunfish all count in that 25. A worm under a bobber is the whole curriculum.
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) are small, round sunfish with a dark ear flap, a dark spot at the rear of the dorsal fin, and a bluish tint around the chin.
Bluegill are in almost every LA County lake, from urban park lakes to Castaic and Puddingstone. They hold near docks, weeds and shoreline structure.
Open all year. Warmer months bring active fish in shallow water.
OEHHA sunfish advice is generous at many LA lakes: Puddingstone, 7 servings a week for women 18–49 and children and 7 for women 50+ and men; Legg Lake, 7 servings a week for women 18–49 and children and 7 for women 50+ and men; Castaic Lagoon, 7 servings a week for women 18–49 and children and 7 for women 50+ and men; Kenneth Hahn (Gwen Moore Lake), 7 servings a week for women 18–49 and children and 7 for women 50+ and men; Alondra Park Lake, 5 servings a week for women 18–49 and children and 7 for women 50+ and men; Castaic Lake, 3 servings a week for women 18–49 and children and 3 for women 50+ and men; Santa Fe Dam, 2 servings a week for women 18–49 and children and 5 for women 50+ and men; Pyramid Lake, 1 servings a week for women 18–49 and children and 3 for women 50+ and men; Magic Johnson Lakes, 1 servings a week for women 18–49 and children and 3 for women 50+ and men. OEHHA's statewide lake advisory for other lakes is 1 serving a week for women 18–49 and children and 2 for others.
Bluegill count in the combined bag of 25 sunfish and crappie, with no size limit in LA County.
Hodges/El Capitan crappie size limits are San Diego waters, not LA.
T14 CCR §5.82 sunfish and crappie →
Independent-site disclaimer: this summary is for orientation only and can change in-season. Confirm with CDFW before you keep a fish. Fish in LA is not affiliated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
25 sunfish and crappie combined, no size limit in LA County.
Most park lakes, such as Legg, Kenneth Hahn, Alondra and Puddingstone.
OEHHA allows up to 7 servings a week at several LA lakes; check your lake's advisory.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.
