Sunfish

In Nebraska lakes, sunfish are commonly found in shallow, weedy areas where they can feed and hide from predators. During the warmer months, especially late spring and summer, they gather near the shorelines, around submerged vegetation, docks, fallen trees, and rocky or sandy bottoms. These spots provide perfect habitat for spawning and feeding. Lakes like Branched Oak, Wagon Train, and Holmes Lake often have strong sunfish populations, including bluegill, green sunfish, and pumpkinseed. Whether you’re fishing from shore or a boat, targeting these calm, sunny, and structure-rich areas will usually lead to good action, especially if you’re using worms, small jigs, or bits of corn.

    • Insects and larvae – Mayflies, dragonflies, mosquitoes, and aquatic insect larvae

    • Worms – Earthworms and aquatic worms

    • Small crustaceans – Tiny crayfish and freshwater shrimp

    • Zooplankton – Especially when they’re young (fry)

    • Fish eggs – Including those of other sunfish or species

    • Algae and plant material – Occasionally nibble on vegetation or algae

  • Sunfish spawn in shallow, warm water—typically in 2 to 6 feet deep—during late spring to early summer, when water temperatures reach around 65–85°F (18–29°C).

    1. Bluegill

      • Most common sunfish species

      • Deep, round body with a dark spot on the gill flap and vertical stripes

      • Often found in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers

    3. Green Sunfish

      • Stockier body with a big mouth (almost bass-like)

      • Greenish body with blue-green streaks on the face

      • Very aggressive and often found in shallow, weedy areas

    5. Pumpkinseed Sunfish

      • Brightly colored with orange, yellow, and blue patterns

      • Red or orange spot on the gill flap

      • Often found in clear water near vegetation

    7. Longear Sunfish

      • Named for its long, pointed gill flap

      • Bright orange belly and blue-green body

      • Prefers streams and clear lakes with rocky or sandy bottoms

    9. Redear Sunfish (a.k.a. “Shellcracker”)

      • Olive-green body with red or orange edge on the gill flap (more noticeable in males)

      • Known for feeding on snails and other hard-shelled prey

      • Found more often in southern regions but occasionally stocked elsewhere

A person holding a small fish with a body of water in the background.

Bonus Fact:

All of these sunfish can hybridize with each other, creating hybrid sunfish that often grow larger and are sometimes stocked in ponds because of their fast growth and ease of catching. In Nebraska, the most commonly seen are bluegill, green sunfish, and pumpkinseed, with occasional hybrids or longear sunfish depending on the body of water.

I often find sunfish to be a delight as there’s always a new pattern when catching them and some days It couldn’t be easier to catch sunfish