|
HOME >
FISHING >
FRESHWATER >
SPECIES >
PANFISH > SPOTTED
FRESHWATER FISHING
Spotted Sunfish
Bluegill |
Redear |
Redbreast |
Warmouth |
Flier
Spotted Sunfish |
Black Crappie
Spotted Sunfish
(Lepomis punctatus)
Common Names
- stumpknocker and
bream.
Description
- Spotted sunfish tend to be olive-green to brown in
color, with black or reddish spots on the base of each
scale to form rows of dots on its sides. On some fish
there is a red bar in front of many of the black spots,
particularly below the lateral line. These bars give the
fish a reddish hue. Body shape is thick and ovate, with
the length about twice the depth. Some fish have blue on
the lower portion of the eye.
Subspecies
- Two were previously recognized, but now represent
distinct species. The other closely related species is
L. miniatus, which is found in
Mississippi and in Gulf coast drainages. Intergrades may
be found in northwest Florida.
Range
- It is found throughout the Florida peninsula and west
to the Perdido River.
Habitat
- The preferred habitat is slow-moving, heavily
vegetated streams and rivers with limestone, sand, or
gravel substrates. They are virtually ubiquitous
inhabiting large rivers to very small creeks.
Spawning Habits
- A nest-building sunfish that tends to be more solitary
than some of the other members of the sunfish family.
Males are very aggressive and antagonistic toward other
fish in its nesting area. The beds are about one foot in
diameter and are fanned out by the male, who also stands
guard over the eggs and larvae. Concentrations of beds
are found where suitable habitat is limited. Spawning
takes place from May through November.
Feeding Habits
- This species is very aggressive and will take almost
anything they can attack and catch. They generally feed
on the bottom, but sometimes it will rise to the surface
to take food. Spotted sunfish will feed on
invertebrates, insects and small fishes when they are
easy to catch. The bulk of their diet consist of a
variety of plants and animals that are usually
associated with aquatic vegetation, brush, or rubble.
Age and Growth
- Very little information is available on age and
growth. A four year old fish average about six inches
long.
Sporting Qualities
- Because of its small size the spotted sunfish has
limited value to the angler, but it is an active and
fiesty panfish. The same methods of fishing discussed
for the redbreast sunfish apply for the spotted sunfish.
As a sport fish, specific bag and size limit
regulations
apply, and you can register a qualifying catch as part
of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission's
"Big Catch"
program.
Eating Quality
- The flesh is excellent. Preparation is the same as the
redbreast sunfish.
World Record
- None exists due to its small size.
State Record
- 13.25 ounces, caught in the Suwannee River, in 1984.
(Please check link for updates)
|
