Skip to main content

Flier

Flier

The Flier (Centrarchus macropterus) is a member of the sunfish family found in Maryland's freshwater systems. This species is part of Maryland's centrarchid diversity, which includes 34 extant species across eight genera in North America.

Scientific Name: Centrarchus macropterus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Fliers are characterized by their compressed, saucer-shaped body typical of sunfishes, with distinctive fin characteristics including a continuous dorsal fin and moderate anal fin structure.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit sluggish waters including swamps, vegetated lakes, ponds, sloughs, and backwaters of creeks and small to medium rivers throughout their range.

Specific Spots

  • Fliers prefer areas with abundant vegetation, detritus, undercut banks, and instream wood cover.
  • Focus on areas with abundant vegetation, fallen timber, and undercut banks in slower-moving waters.

Flier FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Flier in Maryland?

Small flies and lures that imitate their preferred prey items work best. For fly fishing, nymph patterns in sizes 12-18 that suggest mayfly nymphs, caddis larvae, or small aquatic invertebrates are effective. Hares Ear and Pheasant Tail nymphs work well, as do Walt's Worm patterns that imitate caddis larvae.

How do you catch Flier in Maryland?

Use techniques similar to other sunfish species in Maryland's freshwater systems. Present offerings quietly near structure to avoid spooking these cover-oriented fish.

What do Flier eat?

Their diet consists primarily of decapods, amphipods, odonates, and coleopterans, with small fish included seasonally when individuals reach larger sizes.

Where do Flier live in Maryland?

They inhabit sluggish waters including swamps, vegetated lakes, ponds, sloughs, and backwaters of creeks and small to medium rivers throughout their range.

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 Flier.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Flier water

    Pick Flier 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 Flier

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

Stop guessing where Flier are.

Open the map, filter by Flier, 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.

Maryland licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

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.