Green Sunfish
Green Sunfish are an invasive species recently confirmed by New Hampshire Fish and Game in state waters. These aggressive freshwater fish are omnivorous predators that give them a competitive advantage over native sunfish species.
Scientific Name: Lepomis cyanellus
- These aggressive freshwater fish are blue-green on their backs and sides with yellow-flecked scales and bright blue stripes on their gill covers and head sides.
- They have relatively large mouths extending to beneath the middle of the eye, dark spots on their dorsal and anal fins, and typically measure 3-7 inches but can reach up to 12 inches.
Fishing in New Hampshire
Merrimack River
Contoocook River
Great Bay
Lake Winnisquam
Lake Winnipesaukee
Piscataqua River
Sunapee Lake
Pemigewasset River
Bellamy River
Squam Lake
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- They prefer sluggish backwaters, lakes, and ponds with gravel, sand, or bedrock bottoms.
Key Locations
- First discovered in the Little Sugar River in Charlestown in 2022, they have since been found in the Piscataquog River downstream from Weare Reservoir (Horace Lake) and at Waukewan Lake.
Specific Spots
- Target areas around rocks, submerged logs, vegetation, and other cover in sluggish backwaters, lakes, and ponds.
Green Sunfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Green Sunfish in New Hampshire?
For live bait, use nightcrawlers, waxworms, mealworms, bloodworms, or small minnows. They also respond to unconventional baits like pieces of hot dog or corn kernels. Small lures work exceptionally well due to their aggressive nature - try small jigs, spinners, and poppers.
What flies work for Green Sunfish in New Hampshire?
For fly fishing, use small patterns like Foam Ants, Micro Chubby Chernobyls with rubber legs, or other small surface flies.
When is the best time to fish for Green Sunfish in New Hampshire?
Fish during warmer months when they're most active, particularly in spring through early fall. Early morning and evening tend to be most productive.
How do you catch Green Sunfish in New Hampshire?
For poppers or surface flies, use smaller patterns than typical for sunfish and give minimal action - just enough movement to make rubber legs wiggle.
What do Green Sunfish eat?
Green Sunfish are omnivorous predators that feed on aquatic insects and larvae, crayfish, snails, small fish, fish e.g.gs, zooplankton, and occasionally plant material. Their large mouths enable them to consume a wider variety of prey than native pumpkinseed or redbreast sunfish.
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