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Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish in Iowa are a recently introduced species, first stocked into man-made recreational lakes in the early 1960s.

Originally native from North Carolina to Florida, west into Texas, southern Missouri and Ohio, they're now common to occasional in the southern two-thirds of Iowa, mostly in steep-sided lakes.

Also known as shellcrackers

Physical Characteristics:
  • These deep, slab-sided sunfish closely resemble Bluegill but are distinguished by their prominent red or orange spot on the ear flap with a whitish border, hence their name.
  • They have golden or light olive-green backs and sides, often marked by dark vertical bars that disappear in larger fish.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They prefer warm, calm waters with little current and abundant vegetation, typically residing in deeper waters (at least 2 meters) compared to other sunfish species.
  • Found primarily in man-made recreational lakes in the southern two-thirds of Iowa, mostly in steep-sided lakes.

Key Locations

  • Lake Darling, Lake Geode, Big Hollow Lake, Grundy County Lake, Central Park Lake, Pony Creek Lake, and Willow Lake Recreation Area.
  • Productive specific locations include Willow Lake Recreation Area (27-acre lake with boat ramp access, fishing jetties, and handicap pier), Pony Creek Lake (82-acre lake with 1,300 feet of shoreline access), and Central Park Lake.

Specific Spots

  • Target steep-sided lakes in southern Iowa, particularly around laydown trees, ditches leading to flats, points, and areas with visible shell debris on banks indicating snail populations.
  • Fish deeper waters around stumps, submerged brush, rootwads, cypress trees, and dock posts.
  • Look for bluegill beds as Redear often spawn on the fringes.

Redear Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Redear Sunfish in Iowa?

Natural baits outperform artificials - use nightcrawler worms, crickets, grasshoppers, grass shrimp, corn, and leeches on small hooks (#2-#8 with long shanks).

What flies work for Redear Sunfish in Iowa?

Effective patterns include size 12 parachute Adams, triangle bugs, wet flies, poppers, and bucktails in sizes #6 to #8.

When is the best time to fish for Redear Sunfish in Iowa?

Spring is the most consistent season, particularly during pre-spawn and post-spawn periods. The optimal fishing occurs from March through early summer. Memorial Day weekend typically marks prime spawning season. They spawn in late May and June when water temperatures reach 68-75°F.

How do you catch Redear Sunfish in Iowa?

Focus on bottom presentations and allow baits to sink 5-10 seconds before slowly retrieving with pauses. Add 20-gauge lead wire around hooks with 1/8 to 1/4 ounce drop shot sinkers since they're bottom feeders. Post-spawn, target high spots with stumps leading to deep water.

What do Redear Sunfish eat?

Known as 'shellcrackers,' Redear Sunfish are specialized molluscivores with pharyngeal teeth that allow them to crush freshwater snails and small mussels - their primary food source.

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