Orangespotted Sunfish
The orangespotted sunfish is the smallest member of Minnesota's sunfish family, rarely reaching 4 inches in length. Found in southern Minnesota, it's one of the state's most colorful species.
This species is significantly more tolerant of pollution and turbidity than other sunfish, allowing it to extend its range as water quality declines while more desirable sunfish populations suffer.
- Rarely reaching 4 inches in length.
- One of the state's most colorful species with spawning males displaying vibrant orange-red lines on cheeks and gill covers, reddish bellies and lower fins, and dark ear lobes with pale borders.
- The species exhibits phenotypic plasticity, developing different body shapes based on available prey - more elongated bodies with angled snouts for certain prey types, or deeper bodies with blunt snouts for others.
Fishing in Minnesota
Mississippi River
Sauk River
Rum River
Lake Minnetonka
Mille Lacs Lake
Crow River
Snake River
Little Rock Lake
Julia Lake
Long Lake
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found in southern Minnesota.
- They prefer shallow, silt-laden waters like floodplain pools and areas with fine substrates such as sand.
Key Locations
- Southern Minnesota.
Specific Spots
- Shallow, turbid waters, particularly areas with fine substrates and vegetation in sluggish backwaters or lakes.
Orangespotted Sunfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Orangespotted Sunfish in Minnesota?
Cut worms on small hooks are highly effective. Try tiny 1/32 ounce jigs, small spinners, or beetle-spin type lures. Adult specimens can still be caught with size 18 hooks and small pieces of worm.
What flies work for Orangespotted Sunfish in Minnesota?
Use small patterns like Foam Ants or Micro Chubby Chernobyls with rubber legs. Bead-head flies with cut plastic tails for wiggle and profile can be productive.
When is the best time to fish for Orangespotted Sunfish in Minnesota?
The orangespotted sunfish season is open year-round in Minnesota for inland, border, and special regulation waters. However, avoid fishing during their spawning period in June and July when they're nesting. The best fishing occurs in spring and early summer when they move to shallow areas, and again in fall.
How do you catch Orangespotted Sunfish in Minnesota?
For fly fishing, move the fly just enough to make the legs wiggle. Small poppers work but avoid oversized surface flies with too much action.
What do Orangespotted Sunfish eat?
The orangespotted sunfish feeds primarily on insects such as corixids and chironomids, zooplankton, and other small invertebrates in the water column, with their prey items remaining consistent throughout lakes compared to other sunfish species.
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