Redbreast Sunfish
Redbreast Sunfish are a native Delaware species and one of the state's most distinctive sunfish, commonly found statewide in Delaware waters.
Scientific Name: Lepomis auritus
- Easily identified by their long black opercular ear flap and bright olive-green heads and backs with bluish-green stripes extending from the mouth toward the gill flap.
- Males develop a brilliant orange-red breast during breeding season, while females display a lighter orange to yellowish coloration.
- They typically measure 6-8 inches in Delaware waters, though they can grow larger.
Fishing in Delaware
Delaware River
Lums Pond
Delaware Bay
Cohansey River
Leipsic River
Maurice River
Susquehanna River
Nantuxent Cove
Mispillion River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Inhabiting many ponds and slow-moving areas of streams and rivers, with a preference for weedy waters.
- They prefer areas with sandy bottoms and generally avoid stagnant or heavily vegetated waters.
Key Locations
- Found statewide in Delaware waters.
Specific Spots
- Focus on near-shore habitats with structure like fallen trees, stumps, or rocky areas where these fish concentrate to feed and find cover.
- They favor locations with woody debris, stumps, undercut banks, shoreline riprap, and rocky points.
Redbreast Sunfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Redbreast Sunfish in Delaware?
Effective lures include small spinners and small jigs. For live bait, crickets, meal worms, and small worms work exceptionally well when fished suspended under a bobber.
When is the best time to fish for Redbreast Sunfish in Delaware?
Can be caught year-round. Best fishing occurs during fall months when catch rates peak. During late spring and early summer spawning periods (May-August), avoid targeting bedding fish to protect reproduction.
How do you catch Redbreast Sunfish in Delaware?
Popular techniques include jigging, bait-casting, and still fishing, with many anglers preferring simple pole fishing using crickets or worms floated under a small bobber.
What do Redbreast Sunfish eat?
Opportunistic feeders with a varied diet that includes insects, crayfish, leeches, snails, and small fishes - more diverse than most other sunfish species.
Where do Redbreast Sunfish live in Delaware?
Inhabiting many ponds and slow-moving areas of streams and rivers, with a preference for weedy waters. They prefer areas with sandy bottoms and generally avoid stagnant or heavily vegetated waters.
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