Green Sunfish

The green sunfish is a panfish with white, flaky flesh.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A GREEN SUNFISH

It has a larger mouth and a thick, long body than most sunfishes or of the genus Lepomis and more closely resembles the warmouth or its larger relatives of the genus Micropterus, such as the smallmouth bass. Most species of sunfish in the genus Lepomis are deep-bodied, notably roundish in profile, and have an extremely compressed extended gill cover flat, or ear lobe, which is black edged with light red, pink or yellow. The body is usually brown to olive green with a bronze to olive green sheen, paling to yellow-green on the lower sides and yellow or white on the belly. There are emerald or bluish spots on the head and sometimes, wavy or radiating lines of the same color. Seven to twelve dark bars are vaguely visible on the back.

 

WHERE TO CATCH GREEN SUNFISH

The green sunfish naturally occurs west of the Appalachians throughout the eastern and central USA. It is absent from peninsular Florida and most of the northwest portion of the USA. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

 

CLIFFS AND STEEP SHORE BANKS                     GRADUAL SHORES

INLETS AND OUTLETS                                              ISLANDS OR SAND BARS

OPEN WATER                                                PIERS, DOCKS AND PILINGS

ROCKS                                                          SPRING HOLES

WALKWAYS AND BRIDGES                              HOLES

FRESHWATER LAKES AND PONDS                    INSIDE TURNS AND COVES

LILY PADS                                                               SHORELINE SHALLOWS

                                               

POINTS AND BREAK LINES                              SUNKEN OBJECTS

FRESHWATER WEED BEDS

 

 

HOW TO CATCH GREEN SUNFISH

It can be taken by anglers with worms or other small live baits, flies, spinners, or poppers. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

DRIFT FISHING                                              TROLLING

FLY FISHING                                        STILL FISHING

 

GREEN SUNFISH LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

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

 

 

BREAD OR DOUGH BALLS                      INSECTS

MINNOWS                                                    FLIES

JIGS