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Green Sunfish

Green Sunfish

Green Sunfish in Kansas are aggressive, hardy members of the sunfish family that are commonly referred to as "perch" locally and are known for being easy to catch yet prone to overpopulation and stunting in small waters.

They're remarkably tolerant of crowding and poor water conditions, making them one of the last survivors in challenging prairie stream environments.

Scientific Name: Lepomis cyanellus

Also known as perch (locally)

Physical Characteristics:
  • Blue-green coloration on their backs and sides, yellow-flecked scales, and distinctive broken bright blue stripes on their gill covers.
  • They have larger mouths and more elongated bodies than bluegill, with dark spots at the back of the dorsal fin, base of anal fin, and on the opercular flap.
  • The Kansas record weighed 2 pounds, 6 ounces.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Kansas in various water bodies.
  • They prefer sluggish backwaters, lakes, and ponds with gravel, sand, or bedrock bottoms.

Key Locations

  • Found throughout the state in various water bodies including state fishing lakes, city lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams.
  • In Kansas reservoirs and state fishing lakes.
  • In Kansas streams, they're characteristic survivors in residual pools of intermittent waterways.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on shallow areas with cover such as weed beds, fallen logs, rocky shorelines, docks, and brushy banks.
  • Target protected coves, especially the backs of coves.
  • They prefer areas near vegetation and structure, often hiding around rocks, submerged logs, plants, and other cover structures.
  • In reservoirs, concentrate efforts around timber, brush piles, and vegetated flats.

Green Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Small jigs (1/64 to 1/16 ounce) tipped with tubes, grubs, or swimbaits in natural colors like green, brown, white, and chartreuse. Small inline spinners, particularly 1/16 ounce Rooster Tails in chartreuse or natural patterns.

What flies work for Green Sunfish in Kansas?

Small flies (#10-18) including woolly buggers, nymphs, poppers, and terrestrial patterns like ants and grasshoppers.

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

April through October when they inhabit shallow waters, with peak action during late spring through summer. Avoid fishing during spawning periods (late May through August) when they're protecting nests.

How do you catch Green Sunfish in Kansas?

Use aggressive presentations. For live bait, use under bobbers or with split-shot rigs. Let flies sink slowly for larger fish when fly fishing. Focus efforts during morning and evening hours.

What do Green Sunfish eat?

Omnivorous predators feeding on aquatic insects, larvae, crayfish, snails, small fish, fish e.g.gs, zooplankton, and occasionally plant material.

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