Skip to main content

Green Sunfish

Green Sunfish

Green Sunfish are a non-native species in Arizona, first introduced in 1926 and now considered an invasive species.

These aggressive panfish are highly adaptable and found throughout Arizona in warm water lakes, streams, and even some trout waters in the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim.

Scientific Name: Lepomis cyanellus

Physical Characteristics:
  • They're characterized by their blue-green coloration with yellow-flecked scales, broken blue stripes on the gill covers, a relatively large mouth extending beneath the middle of the eye, and distinctive dark spots at the rear of the dorsal fin, base of the anal fin, and on the opercular flap.
  • These aggressive panfish typically grow 3-7 inches but can reach 12 inches and over 2 pounds, with Arizona's state record being 1.33 pounds caught from Lake Havasu in 1997.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Arizona in warm water lakes, streams, and even some trout waters in the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim.

Key Locations

  • Large populations occur in the San Carlos River, Salt River tributaries, Burro Creek, Bill Williams River basin, Black River drainage, and Lake Havasu.
  • At Fool Hollow Lake near Show Low, at Nelson Reservoir, at Becker Lake near Springerville.

Specific Spots

  • Fish around structure including rocky shorelines, submerged brush, fallen trees, undercut banks, docks, and vegetation.
  • They prefer rocky substrates, and cover such as brushy banks, cliffs, rubble piles, undercut banks, and woody debris.

Green Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Green Sunfish in Arizona?

They readily strike small worms, insects, crickets, nightcrawlers, mealworms, bloodworms, and small dough balls. At Lake Havasu, effective techniques include using mealworms, nightcrawlers, crappie jigs, and small trout spinning lures.

What flies work for Green Sunfish in Arizona?

Fly fishing is highly effective using dry flies (rubber-legged patterns are particularly productive), wet flies like Woolly Buggers, Prince Nymphs, and small poppers. At Nelson Reservoir, use artificial flies and fall and spring trolling using Woolly Buggers.

When is the best time to fish for Green Sunfish in Arizona?

At Lake Havasu, fishing productive throughout the year but particularly plentiful November-March and May-June. At Fool Hollow Lake near Show Low, fish during spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) in early morning and late afternoon.

How do you catch Green Sunfish in Arizona?

At Nelson Reservoir, use bait rigs as weather warms, with fall and spring trolling using Woolly Buggers or suspended nightcrawlers under bobbers proving effective. At Becker Lake near Springerville, target them around weed beds and gravel spawning areas.

What do Green Sunfish eat?

They're highly predaceous omnivores feeding on aquatic insects, terrestrial insects, crayfish, small fish, fish e.g.gs, snails, zooplankton, and occasionally plant material. Young Green Sunfish feed primarily on zooplankton while adults become increasingly piscivorous.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Green Sunfish.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Green Sunfish water

    Pick Green Sunfish and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Green Sunfish

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Green Sunfish are.

Open the map, filter by Green Sunfish, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

Arizona licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore Arizona waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.