When you think of fishing, a trophy-sized Bass or Marlin probably comes to mind. But the most prolific fish across America is much more modest. Actually, it’s not one single fish, but a group of small, hearty species called Sunfish.
Swimming in lakes and ponds virtually everywhere, these are some of the easiest fish to catch. If you started casting lines as a kid, chances are you were Sunfish fishing. And, chances are, your passion for them will never die.
Fitting perfectly into a frying pan, it’s no wonder anglers categorize Sunfish as Panfish. And, as it also offers delicious meat if you decide to take it home, it’s much more than a mere beginner fish.
If that’s whetted your appetite for either dinner or fishing (or both), read on. In the following sections, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this ubiquitous group of species!
How to Identify Sunfish
First things first. Sunfish (Centrarchidae) are a freshwater family of fish including Crappie, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Green Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, and many more. Though few people think of them as such, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are also Sunfish!
Many species look similar at first glance. They have deep, rounded bodies and a single, notched dorsal fin which is spiny at the front and rounded at the back. Their tail fins are also rounded, as well as their anal fins. Lastly, you’ll notice that many Sunfish feature a dark spot behind their gills.
Sunfish are among the most common fish across North America, found in ponds, lakes, backwaters, slow-moving streams, and even weedy bays. As we already said, these fish look ready to flop into a frying pan, which is why they’re part of the colloquial Panfish family.
Yet another name you might hear for them is Bream. This term is used differently across the country, but it usually refers to Bluegill and/or Redear Sunfish, as well as less common Sunfish species that anglers lump together.
It’s worth mentioning that there’s an unrelated saltwater species called Ocean Sunfish (or Mola). Though fascinating, this species is protected from sportfishing due to its vulnerable status and should not be confused with the family of fish described here.
Best Sunfish Fishing Spots
As some of the most common fish across North America, you’d be hard-pressed to find a lake or pond that doesn’t hold any Sunfish – but some species are more popular than others. And when it comes to these all-American favorites, a few choice locations stand out…
Lake Kissimmee, FL
Lake Kissimmee is Florida’s third-largest lake and a top freshwater fishing spot. It’s home to many Sunfish species, including Bluegill, Crappie, Redear Sunfish, and of course Largemouth Bass. You can have a lot of success casting from the shoreline, whether using light tackle or fly gear. Given the warm water temperature here, there isn’t really a bad time to go Sunfishing on Lake Kissimmee, but summer is especially popular.
Bag limits vary depending on the exact species, but you’ll find that Florida’s regulations for Sunfish are quite generous. Anglers can keep up to five Largemouth Bass, 25 Crappie, and 50 Panfish (including Crappie, Bluegill, Redear, and other Sunfish) per day.
Lake Guntersville, AL
Many anglers claim that Lake Guntersville has some of the best Crappie and Bluegill fishing in the country. If you come at the right time of year, the water here is simply teeming with them. Crappie fishing peaks in spring and fall but, if you find yourself here during summer, don’t rule out night fishing! Between April and June, plenty of other Sunfish species move into the shallows as well.
As in Florida, Alabama’s regulations allow anglers to keep up to 50 Sunfish per day (including Bluegill). For Crappie, the bag limit is 30 fish per day. Lake Guntersville has a bag limit of 10 Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass that must measure at least 15 inches.
Toledo Bend Reservoir, TX/LA
Located on the border between Texas and Louisiana, Toledo Bend Reservoir is one of the top Bass fishing spots in the country. It also hosts Crappie and some of the biggest Bluegill and Redear Sunfish you’ll ever find. What makes the fishing here so productive? It’s quite literally something in the water – more specifically, loads of vegetation in the shallows. This is where you’ll often find Sunfish hiding, especially in the spring when they spawn. At other times of the year, you’ll find them in the deeper parts of the reservoir around creek channels and brush piles.
Fishing regulations for Toledo Bend allow 25 Crappie per day and up to eight Bass that are at least 14 inches. There’s no bag limit for Bluegill and other Sunfish species.
Grenada Lake, MS
Grenada Lake in northern Mississippi is a flood control reservoir operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It’s known for trophy Crappie, which can weigh as much as 3 pounds. As usual, the spring spawning season is the optimal time to target them, but you can also expect great Crappie fishing in fall when the reservoir is slowly drawn down.
There’s currently a daily bag limit of 10 Crappie per angler. You can monitor current water levels and local fishing reports for Grenada Lake online for any changes.
Reelfoot Lake, TN
With so many Sunfish spots to choose from around the country, it’s hard to cut this list short. But we think we saved the best for last! Ask anyone who’s been there, and they’ll tell you the best Crappie and Bluegill fishing is in Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee. They may not be trophies but the average weight and catch rate of both species here is consistently high.
Reelfoot is the Volunteer State’s largest natural lake but most of it measures only about 3 feet deep! Stump fields and vegetation make some areas difficult to navigate. But, on the other hand, it’s an environment where Sunfish thrive. Most Crappie are taken in the Lower Blue Basin, but have in mind that this area sees the most fishing pressure as a result.
There’s a 30-fish bag limit for Black and White Crappie combined, with a minimum size limit of 10 inches.
How to Fish for Sunfish
In addition to being plentiful, Sunfish are extremely easy to catch. This makes them a great target for beginners – but that’s not to say that seasoned anglers are beyond fishing for them. From fly fishing to a simple hook and bobber, catching Sunfish can be as complex or simple as you make it.
But what conditions produce the most Sunfish? Anglers often target them in shallow water, which is where they’re most likely to be during spring and summer. However, these fish venture into deeper water as well, and you may have better luck targeting them there in other seasons.
Mostly, you should look for them in still or slow moving water. This could be along flats and riverbanks, in the backwaters of a bay, or around deep holes where the current runs slower.
They may have “sun” in their name, but these fish actually gather wherever there’s shade or cover to make them feel secure. So, cast your line near vegetation and different types of structure. This includes grassy or weedy waters, lily pads, rocky shorelines, docks, piers, fallen logs, or even a low-hanging tree.
When it comes to techniques, you can try any and all of these:
- Bobber fishing. This is the method of choice when fishing for Sunfish in weedy areas or near structure where you want to avoid snagging. Quite simply, it involves adding a float or bobber to your line. The purpose is to suspend your bait rather than letting it sit on the bottom. It’s also a big plus that you can see the bobber dip below the surface when you get a bite.
- Bottom fishing. Unlike bobber fishing, the idea here is to sink your bait all the way to the bottom. There are two common rigs for this technique: the split shot and the drop shot. The first involves attaching a couple of split-shot sinkers to your line roughly 6–12 inches above the bait, while the second includes a bell sinker at the end of your line about 12 inches below the bait.
- Jigging. Jigging requires a little more effort, tipping the scale past easy mode. There are multiple lures you can use to catch Sunfish, but jigs are the most popular. These are usually dressed with hair, feathers, or soft plastic tendrils which move freely in the water and resemble the critters they feed on. Lures tend to attract bigger Sunfish, so if that’s what you’re after, reach for the artificials!
- Fly fishing. Speaking of the critters Sunfish love, insects are a big part of their diet. This makes fly fishing highly effective. You can use wet flies as well as dry, including anything from nymphs, sinking bugs, and streamers to poppers. Fly fishing is probably the most advanced technique to target Sunfish, and dry flies specifically offer the biggest challenge. Ironically, it works well in the same areas as simple bobber fishing, as both techniques help you to avoid snagging your line.
Sunfish Fishing Gear
Most Sunfish species weigh just a few pounds, so to make a real sport out of fishing for them you’ll want to bring light tackle. Use a 6.5–7′ spinning rod with a 2000–2500 series reel. A 4–8 lb test line is sufficient and, if you opt for an ultra-light setup, you can even go down to 2 lb test, having in mind that your line will be more delicate and susceptible to breaking.
Your terminal tackle should include small bobbers if bobber fishing, along with slip-shot sinkers. Size 8 hooks usually fit the bill just fine.
Fly fishermen can use anything from a 2–6 wt rod that measures 7 or 8 feet long, paired with a simple, lightweight reel. For a better fight, keep your gear on the lighter side. Use a weight-forward floating line and a 3x or 4x mono leader in any length you need. When targeting Sunfish in deeper water, switch to a sinking line.
Matching the hatch isn’t too essential when fly fishing for Sunfish, but one rule to live by is keeping your flies small (#10–18). Many fly anglers insist on letting the flies sink slowly in order to catch bigger fish.
Sunfish Bait & Lures
Live bait fishing is usually the most productive way to catch Sunfish, and also the easiest. Some common bait choices are nightcrawlers, red worms, crickets, larvae, and small minnows.
These fish will readily bite small lures, as well. Remember, some say this is the key to landing bigger Sunfish! In addition to 1/64–1/16 oz jigs, you can fish spoons, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits that measure one inch or less.
Depending on the season and water conditions, common flies for Sunfish include woolly buggers, clouser minnows, zonkers, mini leeches, green weenies, sponge spiders, prince nymphs, zug bugs, Adams, royal Wulffs, elk hair caddis, poppers, and hares’ ears.
When to Fish for Sunfish
You can catch Sunfish any time of year – even when ice fishing. But spring and summer are considered the best times to fish for them. This is when local waters reach 65–75 degrees and many Sunfish start spawning. You’ll be able to spot their oval “nests” in the shallows, which they’re ready to defend aggressively.
In the post-spawn period, some large Sunfish continue to cruise the flats and gorge themselves before winter. You’ll find them especially easy to catch at that time.
Remember, though, that these fish like shade, so the worst time to target them is probably high noon on a summer day. By contrast, dawn and dusk draw them out of hiding to feast.
Sunfish: The Fun Fish!
Sunfish aren’t the hardest species to catch but they’re the perfect introduction to sportfishing and they keep many anglers coming back for more. Perhaps it comes down to the fact that you can make the fight as hard as you want it to be, continuing to test your skills with these fish time and again. Or, perhaps it’s the sheer joy of fishing – plain and simple. Anglers across the country agree – nothing sums up the sport they love quite like Sunfish fishing!
Was your first catch a Sunfish? Where do you like to target them? We’d love to hear all your angling stories in the comments below!
