MD Fish Finder - Sunfish Details

Name:

Sunfish

Water Type:

freshwater

Latin Name:

Lepomis gibbosus; Lepomis auritis; Lepomis macrochirus; Enneacanthus obesus

Common Names:

Bluegill; Pumpkinseed; Redbreasted Sunfish; Banded Sunfish

Ideal Water Temp:

World Record:

Description:

While many might argue, it is quite possible that more people fish for sunfish then anything else. The species includes the Sacremento Perch, Black and white crappie, the warmouth, , bluegill, pumpkinseed, redear/redbreast/spotted/longear/green sunfish. In the south these fish are typically called breaminstead of sunfish. They are highly adaptable and breed well which makes them easy to place in almost any water where they are not native. -Blackstone Carp

There are 4 species of Sunfish in NH: The Bluegill, Pumkinseed, Redbreasted Sunfish and the Banded Sunfish. The Pumpkinseed is one of the most numerous fish in the state and is found in most streams, rivers, brooks, lakes and ponds. It prefers quiet or slow moving water is particularly abundant where there is good growth of aquatic vegetation. The Redbreasted Sunfish inhabits lakes, ponds and the Merrimack River, but prefers clear, moderately flowing streams and does not require heavily vegitated waters. Both species feed on insects, snails, small crustaceans and small fish. The Bluegill is not native to NH, but does occur in most lakes and ponds, in central and southern NH; and the Merrimack river downstream from Concord. In addition to insect, small crustaceans and small fish, it also consumes fish eggs and aquatic vegetation. The Banded Sunfish is the smallest of the 4 and feeds primarily on small crustaceans. It is found in the southern portions of both the Connecticut and Merrimack River drainages and in the coastal watershed. It inhabits lowland weedy lakes and quiet weedy backwaters of the lowland brown-water streams.

The larger Sunfish are considered to be tasty panfish and are a favorite to catch for young children. They may be easily taken with worms as well as many other baits and will also rise readily to fly and provide good sport on light tackle. The Pumpkinseed averages between 5-7 inchesand seldom exceeds 8-9 inches or 0.5 pound. Redbreasted Sunfish may run about 10 inches and about 1 pound. The Bluegill averages 5-9 inches but may attain 12 inches and a weight of slightly over a pound. The Banded Sunfish rarely exceeds 3-3.5 inches. The NH state record for the Bluegill is 11.25 inches and 2 pounds 0.64 ounce, taken out of Goodwins Pond in Acworth, NH in 1992.

Massachusetts State Record is 2 lbs 1 oz caught by Heather Bulger in 1982 at South Athol Pond
South Athol, MA

Tips, Techniques, Discussion:

There are 5 comments for this species. Come and join the conversation.

Last comment was on 04/27/10 12:34 PM by linkmak

Recipes:

There is 1 recipe for this species. View these recipes.

Last recipe was on 04/08/08 02:54 PM by dave_b

Photos:

Below are photos of Sunfish
or locations where users have caught Sunfish.
Add your own photo of a Sunfish

sunfish Added by natickguy from the trip entitled 05/05/10 - Dug Pond - Natick, MA		4/13/10 - Dudley Pond 8in Pumpkinseed Added by meat7gtk from the trip entitled 4/13/10 - Dudley Pond
Plattwood Park The last two pond have access and parking at Plattwood Park. Added by sandflea from the trip entitled Plattwood Park		biggest kibby i ever saw Added by joeleroy from the trip entitled chilln
chilln Added by joeleroy from the trip entitled chilln		sunfish and yellow perch Added by manuel from the trip entitled Muscoot Reservoir

View all 21 photos of Sunfish

Search:

Find other fish species
Find user trips that have Sunfish
Find locations that have Sunfish

Edit Details:

Are we missing information about Sunfish that you know about? Is our data is inaccurate?
If so, please edit this species. *New

Last Edited By:

davetroy on 08/17/10 09:58 PM