Freshwater

Green sunfish

Pez sol verde

Lepomis cyanellus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

3–6 in.

Depth

1–10 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

8 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Thick, olive-green sunfish with a big mouth (bigger than other sunfish), blue-green wavy lines on the face, yellow-edged fins and a dark spot at the back of the dorsal and anal fins; the ear flap is dark with a pale edge.
Typical size: 3–6 in.
Maximum size: About 1 ft and 2 lb.
Diet: Insects, crayfish and small fish.
Behavior: Tough and aggressive; lives in small streams, ponds and around rocks and logs, and survives where other fish can't.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Midwest & Ohio Valley Lakes, Ozarks & Mid-South, Texas & Oklahoma Lakes, Upper Midwest Lakes, U.S. Great Lakes, Southwest & California Lakes, Rocky Mountain Trout Rivers and Louisiana & Mississippi Delta. Native to the central U.S.; spread to almost every state, including western waters where it's invasive.
Habitat: Native to the central U.S.; spread to almost every state, including western waters where it's invasive.
Depth: 1–10 ft.
Fishing depth: 1–6 ft near rocks and wood.
Best season: Spring through fall.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: No tide; wind and water level matter more.
Best weather / conditions: Warm days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Line Jigs Bobbers Hooks Bait Tool

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Native to the central U.S.; spread to almost every state, including western waters where it's invasive.
Rig up: Ultralight spinning rod. Not needed.
Pick your bait: Worms, crickets and small minnows. Lures: Tiny jigs, small spinners and small crankbaits.
Fish it: Cast small baits around rocks, logs and undercut banks.
Time it: Daytime. No tide; wind and water level matter more.

Fishing techniques: Cast small baits around rocks, logs and undercut banks.
BigJoe's tip: Often hybridizes with bluegill, making odd-looking 'hybrid sunfish'.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Small but tasty fried.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Small spines.
Regulations: Usually in the general panfish limit. Licenses, limits and seasons are set by each province, territory or state, and many lakes and rivers have special size limits, slot limits or closed spawning seasons — check the current regulations for the water you fish.
Conservation: Invasive in the West; don't move it.

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Sources & photo credits