Pumpkinseed Sunfish

The coloration of pumpkinseed sunfish is one of the most vibrant of any fish in fresh water.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH

Pumpkinseed sunfish have a flat, disk-shaped body with a small mouth and an upper jaw that stops just under the eye pupil. The gill cover has an inflexible rear edge and short, thick rakers on the first arch. The front dorsal fin is spiny and the pectoral fin is long and pointed and can be extended past the eye when bent forward.Its color ranges from olive-green to brown, yellow, green and blue on the top and sides. The breast and belly are usually a light color such as cream, white or yellow and occasionally orange.

 

WHERE TO CATCH PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH

Pumpkinseed sunfish can be found in shallow areas with cool to warm water. They are common in farm ponds, small lakes and weedy bays of larger bodies of fresh water. They are also found in upper reaches of creeks and rivers. They are commonly found around cover such as aquatic vegetation or submerged brush and are seldom found in open water. The greatest concentrations of pumpkinseed sunfish are found in the northeastern region of the United States. They are rarely or never found in the south-central or southwestern United States.Groups of young pumpkinseed sunfish school close to shore in substantial numbers in shallow, protected areas but adults tend to travel in groups of 2-4 in slightly deeper yet still covered waters. Pumpkinseed sunfish are more likely than other sunfish to be found in moving water.This species of sunfish are active throughout the day, but will often rest at night near the bottom of the water column or in protected areas in rocks or near submerged logs. They sometimes show a preference for a home range and will remain close to particular areas of a pond or lake. Even when fish are captured and released into a different part of a pond or lake, a significant percentage of them will return to their original location. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

 

CLIFFS AND STEEP SHORE BANKS           INLETS AND OUTLETS

ISLANDS OR SAND BARS                        OPEN WATER

PIERS, DOCKS AND PILINGS                   ROCKS

SPRING HOLES                                              WALKWAYS AND BRIDGES

FRESHWATER LAKES AND PONDS           INSIDE TURNS AND COVES

LILY PADS                                                     OVERHANGING TREES AND BUSHES

POINTS AND BREAK LINES                     SHORELINE SHALLOWS

SUNKEN OBJECTS                                          FRESHWATER WEED BEDS

 

HOW TO CATCH PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH

This is a panfish that is taken by anglers with worms or other small live baits, flies, spinners or poppers. Many people consider the meat to be a worthy meal, though their small size means it can take several to satisfy an appetite. This size issue is one of the few limiting factors in its popularity compared to other sunfish species like the similar redbreast sunfish. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

DRIFT FISHING                                     STILL FISHING

FLY FISHING

 

PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

FLIES                                                   JIGS

INSECTS                                              MINNOWS