Green Sunfish
Green Sunfish in New York are small, aggressive freshwater fish found primarily in Oneida Lake and throughout the state, though their population in Oneida Lake remains small but increasing.
While possibly native to Oneida Lake, they're considered an invasive exotic in many New York locations where they often out-compete native bluegill.
Scientific Name: Lepomis cyanellus
- Green sunfish have a distinctive blue-green back that fades to yellow or white at the belly, with a black earflap edged in yellow and a top jaw extending to the middle of the eye.
- They're less deep-bodied than other sunfish with a more drab coloration and can grow to 9 inches in Oneida Lake, weighing up to half a pound.
Fishing in New York
Delaware River
East Branch Delaware River
Susquehanna River
Beaver Kill
Lackawanna River
Chenango River
Rondout Creek
Lehigh River
Tobyhanna Creek
West Branch Delaware River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Unlike most sunfish, they tolerate areas with high turbidity and low dissolved oxygen, typically living near brush, vegetation, and rocks without favoring any particular bottom type.
Key Locations
- found primarily in Oneida Lake and throughout the state, in Oneida Lake and other New York waters.
Specific Spots
- Target areas with cover including brush, vegetation, rocks, docks, fallen logs, and weedy shorelines.
- Look for them in shallow, sunlit areas with slow current near structure where they hide and ambush prey.
Green Sunfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Green Sunfish in New York?
For live bait, use nightcrawlers, red worms, crickets, mealworms, or small minnows. For artificial lures, use 1/64-1/16 oz jigs, small spinnerbaits, tiny spoons, or crankbaits measuring one inch or less. The Johnson Beetle Spin and Rebel CrickHopper are particularly effective.
What flies work for Green Sunfish in New York?
small flies (size 10-18), including poppers, woolly buggers, prince nymphs, Adams, and foam ants with rubber legs.
When is the best time to fish for Green Sunfish in New York?
The best fishing occurs during late spring when they're most active in shallow water, though they can be caught year-round except during spawning periods when beds should be avoided.
How do you catch Green Sunfish in New York?
Use live bait under a small bobber or cork. Try bottom fishing with split-shot rigs placing sinkers 6-12 inches above the bait. Move poppers just enough to make the legs wiggle rather than giving too much action.
What do Green Sunfish eat?
Their aggressive behavior and large mouth allow them to eat larger prey than other sunfish, including small fish, aquatic insects, and invertebrates. These fish are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on aquatic and terrestrial insects, crayfish, small fish, zooplankton, and occasionally plant material.
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