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Longear Sunfish

Longear Sunfish

Kentucky's most abundant stream sunfish, found statewide in all nine major river drainages and adapting well to reservoirs.

Scientific Name: Lepomis megalotis

Physical Characteristics:
  • Adults typically grow 4-9 inches, rarely exceeding 9 inches, with males larger than females.
  • They're distinguished by their brilliant coloration - bright orange bodies with wavy blue lines on cheeks and gill covers, plus a distinctive long black 'ear flap' with white or reddish borders.
  • Breeding males develop intense red-orange coloration with iridescent blue markings and bluish fin tips.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found statewide in all nine major river drainages and adapting well to reservoirs.

Key Locations

  • Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and clear rocky streams statewide.
  • The state record weighed 13.28 ounces from a Magoffin County strip mine pond.

Specific Spots

  • Prefer clear, quiet pools with gravel or sandy bottoms, typically staying near aquatic vegetation, roots, brush piles, and undercut banks.
  • In reservoirs, they inhabit shallow shoreline areas and embayments.
  • Fish around root wads, downed trees, bridge pilings, weed-lined shorelines, and deep pools.
  • In lakes, target shallow vegetated areas and structure.

Longear Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Longear Sunfish in Kentucky?

Small spinners, tiny crankbaits, small jigs tipped with live bait. Live baits include red worms, crickets, meal worms, wax worms, and nightcrawlers.

What flies work for Longear Sunfish in Kentucky?

Small patterns work best on #8-#12 hooks: Bully Bluegill (chartreuse color), Frenchie Egans on size 14 hooks, Zebra Midges (black and red), small microjigs (1/100th to 1/64th ounce with #10 hooks), bead head flies, foam ants, small poppers, and Pat's rubber legs stonefly patterns.

When is the best time to fish for Longear Sunfish in Kentucky?

Best fishing from mid-spring through mid-fall (April through September), with peak action during warm summer months. Avoid fishing during spawning periods (late May through late August when water temperatures reach the 70s).

How do you catch Longear Sunfish in Kentucky?

Present flies with subtle action - just enough to make rubber legs wiggle on poppers, or jig slowly around cover. Dapping microjigs to visible fish is consistently productive. Fish quiet stream pools away from current.

What do Longear Sunfish eat?

These aggressive feeders primarily eat aquatic insects, small crustaceans, terrestrial insects (37% of adult diet), small fish (31%), and fish e.g.gs (7%).

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