Longear

Longear: Named for the large black tab on its gill plate, the longear is one of the most widespread but least recognized of the sunfish species. Its range includes the central U.S., in a swath down from southern Canada and the Great Lakes, through central Texas and into Mexico, as well as the Atlantic Coast from Florida to New York. Longears thrive in clear streams but have been successful in clear impoundments with some rock and gravel substrate.

The world record exceeds a pound, though most longears weighing just a few ounces. Like other lesser-known species, they eagerly hit worms, tiny jigs, and spinners, though they typically feed on aquatic insect larvae. Their coloration is a unique blend of subdued blue, orange, and brown that varies geographically. 

Spotted Sunfish: A common fish throughout the Southeast, spotted sunfish also inhabit the Mississippi River drainage as far north as central Illinois. This common species typically is a blotchy mix of brown, tan, and gold. Like members of other sunfish species, spawning males become much brighter, their spots turning orange, with orange margins also at tips of fins and tail. It’s a stocky, broad-shouldered fish resembling rock bass. The Florida record is just over 3/4 pound, caught in the Suwannee River. They’re reportedly good eating and easily caught on livebait and tiny spinners, but they’ll also bite a small popping bug worked near grassy or brushy lairs.

Other Members of the Sunfish Family

A handful of other species within the sunfish family but not of the sunfish genus (Lepomis) are popular panfish, though several have limited distribution.

Sacramento Perch: This large species is the only member of the Centrarchid family native to the West, and is named after its home in the Sacramento River drainage. The California record is 3 pounds 3 ounces, caught at Crowley Lake, though historical accounts suggest it may have grown much larger at one time. Draining of sloughs and competition from introduced sunfish have limited populations of this fish in its native range, though some reservoir fisheries remain strong.

Populations transplanted to other states have thrived, however, particularly in alkaline waters. Utah’s record is 4 pounds 5 ounces, from Garrison Reservoir, while Nevada maintains a 4-pound 9-ounce mark. Livebait and small lures including marabou jigs and small spinners reportedly are successful.

Unlike the eastern sunfishes, Sacramento perch typically do not build nests, groups of spawning fish instead scattering eggs and fertilizing them in weedy shallows, though spawning details are debatable. Some researchers have reported egg-guarding behavior by this species, while others report no protection of eggs or fry, noting that the lack of native competitors may have lessened the need for this behavior in the evolutionary process.

Rock Bass: The northern rock bass is the most widespread of the four members of the rock bass clan in the genus Ambloplites. Rockies are common from New England and southern Quebec west through the Dakotas, and south to Mississippi, Alabama, and north Georgia. With a varying scale pattern of brown and black, the rock bass is a plain fish, males developing only a black border on the edges of fins and tail at spawning time. State records generally run from 2 to 3 pounds but most catches weigh a pound or less.

Rock bass are opportunistic feeders and eager biters, sometimes plaguing those seeking walleye or bass. But on light tackle, they’re fun to catch and fine eating, if more difficult to clean than sunfish. Rockies are popular sportfish in Ozark streams, where they coexist with smallmouth bass, and length limits protect them there.

Ozark Rock Bass: This species is native to the White River system in Arkansas and Missouri, and in tributaries of Missouri’s Osage River. It’s often confused with the rock bass, as their ranges overlap. Where abundant, such as in Arkansas’ Buffalo River and the upper White River, anglers target them with bait and small artificials. The world record stands at just over a pound.

Shadow Bass: This rock bass species has a wider distribution, occurring through the Gulf Coast drainages and above the fall line, from Florida’s Apalachicola River to Lake Ponchartrain in Louisiana, and in tributaries of the lower Mississippi Valley as far north as southeastern Missouri. Prime habitat is clear, unimpeded streams with sand or gravel substrates. They’re popular gamefish where abundant and readily take lures and livebait. The world record is 1.8 pounds.

Roanoke Bass: This species is native to the Roanoke, Chowan, Tar, and Neuse river drainages in Virginia and North Carolina. It differs from other rock bass in having a concave profile over the eyes and minute, almost invisible scales on the cheek. Its habits are similar, however, and it co-occurs with the northern species in much of its range. Virginia imposes a 5-fish limit and 8-inch minimum-length limit, to protect populations of this large species which often approaches 2 pounds.

Flier: The flier is another Southeastern member of the sunfish family, commonly found in swamps, bayous, and oxbow lakes rich in fish and insect life. It’s never a common species, however, and few waters harbor enough of them to provide targeted fishing opportunities. But the flier is always a remarkable catch for its seemingly oversized dorsal and anal fins, giving it a crappielike profile.

It’s marked with dark spots punctuating dark scales, and the eye has a distinct vertical bar. Its name allegedly comes from a habit of leaving the surface in acrobatic pursuit of surfacing bugs. Local experts fish them with crickets, worms, and dragonfly nymphs fished on or just below the surface.

The U. S. panfish group is marvelous for the diversity of species it offers, particularly for the strictly North American sunfish family. Several miniature members such as the pygmy sunfish are too small to fish for, but their coloration and habits are so fascinating that many species make excellent aquarium pets for those interested in native piscene fauna. Anglers geared toward all these special fish can also glimpse their habitats and behavior, gathering specimens for a quick inspection and release, or for the pan.  

Happy Fishing!