Sunfish Details

• Water Type: freshwater
• Latin Name: Lepomis gibbosus; Lepomis auritus; Lepomis macrochirus; Lepomis cyanellus; Enneacanthus obesus
• Common Names: Bluegill; Pumpkinseed; Redbreasted Sunfish; Banded Sunfish
• World Record: 5lb 12.8oz Hector Brito Arizona
• Last Modified By: cbanff on 07/13/14 10:40 PM
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While many might argue, it is quite possible that more people fish for sunfish then anything else. The species includes, but is not limited to, 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 bream instead 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. It is not uncommon to hear of people catching sunfish with grass on a hook. 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