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Redbreast Sunfish

Redbreast Sunfish

Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus) are among the most colorful sunfish species found in New Jersey waters.

They are native to the eastern United States, including New Jersey, where they're listed among the state's native freshwater species alongside Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Chain Pickerel, and Brook Trout.

Scientific Name: Lepomis auritus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by their long, narrow, completely black opercular ear flap and bright blue streaks on their cheeks and head, males display vibrant orange-red breasts during breeding season while females show pale red or yellowish coloration.
  • They typically reach 4-9 inches in length.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They prefer moving water environments - streams, rivers, and swamps with current - rather than large lakes or ponds.
  • They inhabit sand-bottom areas and rocky zones of coastal-plain waters.
  • Populations found throughout New Jersey's freshwater systems.

Key Locations

  • New Jersey's Monmouth County waters and throughout the state's stream systems.

Specific Spots

  • Seeking cover around limestone outcroppings, logs, aquatic vegetation, undercut tree roots, and submerged rocks.
  • Target structured environments around fallen trees, stumps, root masses, rocky areas, and vegetated margins in streams and rivers.
  • Focus on shallow water areas near cover.
  • Look for them in areas with current and sandy or rocky bottoms.

Redbreast Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Redbreast Sunfish in New Jersey?

When using spinning gear, try small spinners, jigs, and lures that imitate invertebrates they feed on. Live bait excels with worms (redworms and earthworms preferred over nightcrawlers), crickets, grasshoppers, waxworms, and small leeches (less than an inch).

What flies work for Redbreast Sunfish in New Jersey?

Small poppers (moved just enough to make rubber legs wiggle), Foam Ants, Micro Chubby Chernobyls, Woolly Buggers, Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Mickey Finns, Blacknose Dace, and ant imitations.

When is the best time to fish for Redbreast Sunfish in New Jersey?

Target during spring through fall, with peak action from May through September when water temperatures are optimal. They spawn from May through August when water temperatures reach 68-82°F. They move to deeper pools during summer heat and winter cold.

How do you catch Redbreast Sunfish in New Jersey?

Fish subsurface presentations with dead-drift techniques under indicators, or use slow retrieves with minimal action since sunfish rarely hit moving lures. When fish become inactive, jig lures then let them sit motionless. Wade carefully or use kayaks to access prime spots that aren't reachable from shore.

What do Redbreast Sunfish eat?

Redbreast Sunfish are generalist invertivores with the most varied diet of all sunfish species, feeding on aquatic insects (particularly mayflies, dragonflies, and dipterans), terrestrial insects, small fish, crayfish, snails, clams, and mollusks.

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