Redear Sunfish are one of Delaware's larger and least colorful sunfish. Their back is light green to brown with grey to olive green sides. The chest is a yellowish to cream colored. Their sides have brown spotting forming a mottled, or checkered, pattern. They may or may not have vertical bars along the sides (like bluegill do). The male’s black gill flaps are lined with red (hence its name). This red margin turns bright red during spawning. The female’s black gill flaps are lined with orange. This orange color is often very faint to nonexistent in larger female fish.
Habitat & Range
Redear Sunfish live in ponds, along with slow-moving areas of streams and rivers. They mainly feed on aquatic insects, snails, freshwater mussels, and clams in deeper waters.
Where to Fishing
Becks Pond, Griffith Lake, Haven Lake, Wagamons Pond, Trap Pond, Hearns Pond and the Saint Jones River
Frequently Asked Questions
Fishing Tips
Because Redear Sunfish relate to deep bottom structure, the best technique is to still fish with a baited hook lying motionless on the bottom. Live bait often includes meal worms, small worms, and small fresh water clams.
