Like Giller said, I've also seen situations in clear strip mines and also in clear farm ponds that have some spots of 20+ ft of water where the gills were spawning in 10+ ft of water. It's a little rare in the farm ponds but it does happen. The fun thing about the strip mines is that you can get them out of 10-15 ft of water to come up on dry flies and buddy that's what its all about. Two years ago, I had them actually coming out of the water to hit them. I have never seen large blugill come completely out of the water to hit something. Its usually the old pop or boil. It was a day I'll never forget. Had to let water out of a five gallon bucket to get more fish in it within two hours!