Longear Sunfish
The Longear Sunfish is a native Mississippi species and one of the state's most beautiful freshwater fish.
Scientific Name: Lepomis megalotis
- These colorful sunfish feature olive green to rusty-brown backs with bright orange bellies, blue stripes on their heads, and distinctive elongated black gill flaps edged in white.
- Males display brilliant colors during breeding season with iridescent blue spots and orange fin membranes.
- In Mississippi, they typically reach 7 inches maximum and live up to 6 years, with the state record being just 0.21 pounds.
Fishing in Mississippi
Pearl River
Yazoo River
Mississippi River
Leaf River
Bouie River
Ross R Barnett Reservoir
Lake Castle
Big Black River
Pelahatchie Creek
Lake Dockery
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Inhabit small streams and creeks throughout Mississippi but are also found in reservoirs and oxbow lakes.
Key Locations
- Small streams and creeks throughout Mississippi, reservoirs and oxbow lakes, with the largest specimens found in fertile Delta oxbows.
- State record caught in Fresh Water Lake in 2009.
Specific Spots
- Look for them near aquatic vegetation, root wads, downed trees, bridge pilings, weed-lined shorelines, and areas with gravel bottoms in medium current.
Longear Sunfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What flies work for Longear Sunfish in Mississippi?
Small foam topwater bugs, microjigs from 1/100th to 1/64th ounce on #10 hooks, pheasant tail nymphs, midges below indicators, Pat's rubber legs stonefly patterns, small woolly buggers, ants, and gnats. Hook sizes should be #8 or smaller, with #10-#12 being optimal for their small mouths.
When is the best time to fish for Longear Sunfish in Mississippi?
Mid-spring through mid-fall during warmer months. During spawning period (late spring to early summer), avoid targeting them as they are focused on reproduction rather than feeding.
How do you catch Longear Sunfish in Mississippi?
Small poppers work well on the surface. When water temperatures drop below 70 degrees, switch to deeper, slower presentations with smaller offerings. They respond well to both sight fishing when visible and blind casting to likely structure.
What do Longear Sunfish eat?
These carnivorous fish feed primarily on insects and small fish, with adult diets composed of terrestrial insects (37%), fish (31%), aquatic insects (21%), and fish e.g.gs (7%). They feed more extensively near the water surface than other sunfish species.
Where do Longear Sunfish live in Mississippi?
Inhabit small streams and creeks throughout Mississippi but are also found in reservoirs and oxbow lakes.
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