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Flier

Flier

The Flier is a small, strongly compressed sunfish species found in Mississippi's Coastal Plain waters and lowland areas. In Mississippi waters, they occur sporadically and are rarely abundant, making them a prized catch for panfish anglers.

Scientific Name: Centrarchus macropterus

Physical Characteristics:
  • They typically grow 5-7 inches long, featuring olive-green coloration with brown spots on the sides and a distinctive black eyespot with orange rim on the dorsal fin in smaller specimens.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Most abundant in swamps, oxbow lakes, overflow pools, and slow-moving creeks with heavy aquatic vegetation, particularly in the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta region and throughout the Mississippi River system.

Key Locations

  • Mississippi's Coastal Plain waters, Yazoo-Mississippi Delta region, Mississippi River system.

Specific Spots

  • Around submerged tree roots, rotting vegetation, and dense aquatic plant cover.
  • Focus on heavily vegetated areas with submerged logs, cypress trees, and mats of floating vegetation.

Flier FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Flier in Mississippi?

Small jigs, tiny spinners, and live baits like crickets, small worms, or insect larvae presented near vegetation and structure.

What flies work for Flier in Mississippi?

Small flies and lures that imitate terrestrial and aquatic insects - small poppers, streamers, and nymphs.

When is the best time to fish for Flier in Mississippi?

The most productive fishing occurs during spring and summer months outside of their March-May spawning period.

How do you catch Flier in Mississippi?

Keep presentations in the upper water column near vegetation where they hunt for insects and small prey. Fish the shallow edges of oxbows and around cypress knees in swamp areas, casting to any available cover since Fliers quickly dart to shelter when spooked.

What do Flier eat?

They feed primarily on aquatic and terrestrial insects, snails, worms, leeches, and occasionally small fish and phytoplankton, making them surface feeders that are most active at dusk and dawn.

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