Long, lazy hours spent at the local fishing hole live on as a cherished part of childhood in much of the country, and fixing the day's catch often presents novice cooks with their first culinary adventure. You’ll find bluegills and other panfish easy to cook and very versatile. They're typically fried -- hence the term "panfish" -- but their mild white flesh lends itself equally well to most fish recipes.

Frying is the iconic preparation method for bluegill, because it's both simple and very, very tasty. For the simplest version, just dredge your fillets lightly in flour and then fry them in a medium-hot skillet with a little oil. If you like them breaded, take it a step further and dip the floured fish in milk, then crumbs. Some cooks dip in eggs and then crumbs, which works equally well. Breaded bluegills can also be deep-fried, or you can dip them in batter instead. Like any fish, bluegill tastes best when deep-fried at about 360 degrees Fahrenheit.

For a similar flavor with less added fat, you can also prepare your bluegills in the oven. Arrange your fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet, skin-side down, and brush or spray them lightly with oil. Season them with salt and pepper or fresh herbs, and bake them for 10 to 15 minutes until the thickest part of each fillet begins to be translucent. Breaded bluegill will take a few minutes longer, while bluegill baked under a sauce or salsa can take 25 to 30 minutes. They can also be baked whole, for a more visually interesting presentation.

Steaming and poaching result in a very different meal, leaving the bluegills' own delicate flavor front and center. The French prepare a fish-poaching liquid -- "court-bouillon" -- by simmering onions, peppercorns, bay leaves and other aromatics in water with wine or vinegar. Fish broth, milk or plain old salted water will also work. Bring the liquid to a simmer, slide in your bluegill fillets, and poach them for six to eight minutes until firm. To steam the fillets, arrange them loosely in your steamer and cook them for eight to 10 minutes. Rest them on a bed of aromatics, Asian-style, if you wish to infuse a different flavor.

Grilling your bluegills provides the savory flavors of high-heat cooking, while still keeping your use of fat to a minimum. Skin-on fillets are less likely to break on the grill than skinless, and even whole fish can be grilled successfully. Clean and oil your grill before you start, and brush or spray the bluegills lightly with oil. Lay them skin-side down on the grill and cook until the line of visibly cooked flesh reaches halfway, then flip them carefully to finish. A mesh fish-grilling basket reduces the risk of breaking your fillets while turning them and is especially useful if you're grilling delicate, skinless fillets.