Skip to main content

Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish are an introduced species in Maryland that have established successful populations in many waters. These bottom-feeding specialists grow faster and larger than other sunfish.

Scientific Name: Lepomis microlophus

Also known as shellcrackers

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by their yellow-green to olive coloration with faint vertical bars, distinctive red or orange margin on males' gill cover flaps (orange on females), rounded sunfish body, small mouth, and long pointed pectoral fins.
  • Commonly reaching 1-2 pounds with specimens up to 17 inches recorded.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit warm, quiet waters of lakes, ponds, streams, and reservoirs.

Key Locations

  • Piney Run Reservoir and Martin Luther King Pond, among other ponds and lakes statewide.

Specific Spots

  • Areas near logs, vegetation, and structures in depths typically exceeding 6 feet.
  • Target areas around logs, fallen timber, stumps, submerged brush, cypress trees, weedbeds, and deep water structure in 6+ feet of water.

Redear Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Live baits like red wigglers, garden worms, or crickets. Small jigs and grubs, small hair jigs tipped with worms, and tiny tube jigs or twister tails on light leadheads.

What flies work for Redear Sunfish in Maryland?

Small nymphs, damselfly patterns, woolly buggers, leech patterns, and worm flies in sizes 8-12.

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

Spring offers the best fishing, particularly during the pre-spawn and post-spawn periods. Target them in April before spawning begins, then again in late spring through early summer after they've moved back to deeper water.

How do you catch Redear Sunfish in Maryland?

Fish live baits on or near the bottom near shoreline structures. Fish small jigs and grubs slowly near the bottom. For fly fishing, present flies on or near bottom with slow retrieves. Focus on deeper waters than you would for bluegill, particularly around dropoffs, points, and structural transitions.

What do Redear Sunfish eat?

Specialized diet consists primarily of snails and mussels, which they crush with pharyngeal teeth, earning their 'shellcracker' nickname. They also consume aquatic insects, crayfish, ostracods, and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates.

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 Redear Sunfish.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Redear Sunfish water

    Pick Redear Sunfish 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 Redear Sunfish

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

Stop guessing where Redear Sunfish are.

Open the map, filter by Redear Sunfish, 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.