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Pumpkinseed

Pumpkinseed

Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) are one of Maryland's most vibrant and widely distributed freshwater sunfish, found throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed in lakes, ponds, and streams.

Scientific Name: Lepomis gibbosus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These beautiful fish are distinguished by their compressed, saucer-shaped bodies mottled with orange, blue, yellow, and olive green coloration, wavy blue and orange lines on their cheeks, orange bellies, and distinctive black earflaps with bright red or orange crescent-shaped borders.
  • In Maryland, pumpkinseed typically average 4-6 inches but can grow up to 12 inches.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • found throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed in lakes, ponds, and streams.

Key Locations

  • Central Maryland waters including Centennial Lake in Howard County, Liberty Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir, Piney Run Reservoir in Carroll County, and Johnson's Pond on the Eastern Shore.

Specific Spots

  • Prefer shallow, weedy waters with sandy, muddy, or gravel bottoms, often found around aquatic vegetation, fallen trees, docks, and other cover.
  • Fish around cover like fallen trees, lily pads, docks, submerged brush, and tall cabbage plants in 10-14 feet of water for larger specimens.

Pumpkinseed FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Pumpkinseed in Maryland?

Effective baits include small garden worms, red wigglers, wax worms, meal worms, grubs, and crickets on size 6 circle hooks. For artificials, use 1/80 to 1/32 ounce micro-jigs tipped with live bait, small wet flies, nymphs (fished slower than for other sunfish), and tiny poppers.

What flies work for Pumpkinseed in Maryland?

small wet flies, nymphs (fished slower than for other sunfish), and tiny poppers.

When is the best time to fish for Pumpkinseed in Maryland?

The best fishing occurs from spring through fall. Most productive during spring and early summer when they move into shallows to spawn. Mid-winter panfishing opportunities in Maryland's numerous park lakes and reservoirs.

How do you catch Pumpkinseed in Maryland?

A productive setup is a small bobber with lightly weighted bait cast to openings in aquatic vegetation, edges of weed beds, or gravel clearings near shore. The 'pop-and-drop' technique works well - use a small panfish popper with a dropper fly suspended beneath.

What do Pumpkinseed eat?

These omnivorous fish feed on snails, worms, insects, mollusks, small fish, tadpoles, and aquatic vegetation, with their heaviest feeding occurring during afternoon hours. They have specialized molar-shaped throat teeth that help them crack shells of mollusks and snails.

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Maryland licenses and regulations

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