Longear Sunfish
The Northern Sunfish (Lepomis peltastes) - formerly classified as a subspecies of Longear Sunfish - is critically endangered in New York with a state rank of S1 (critically imperiled).
Once native to the Champlain, Erie-Niagara, Ontario, and Oswego watersheds, the species has experienced dramatic decline throughout the 20th century.
Scientific Name: Lepomis peltastes
Also known as Northern Sunfish (formerly classified as a subspecies of Longear Sunfish)
- Northern Sunfish are small, colorful fish averaging 4-4.5 inches with distinctive elongated gill flaps ("long ears"), olive to rusty-brown backs, bright orange bellies, and blue-green bars on their heads.
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
- They inhabit slow-moving, low-gradient streams and shallow areas of clear, warm lakes with densely weeded areas over gravel or sand bottoms.
- They tolerate some turbidity better than other sunfish species.
Key Locations
- Currently, only one stable population remains in the Great Chazy River in northeast New York, discovered in 2016.
- Historically present in Johnson Creek, Oak Orchard Creek, West Creek, Braddock Bay, and Tonawanda Creek, the last western New York record came from Oak Orchard Creek in 2014.
Specific Spots
- Target shallow, vegetated areas with cover like downed trees, brush piles, root wads, undercut banks, and weed-lined shorelines.
- Look for slow-moving water with gravel or sand bottoms near aquatic vegetation or woody debris.
- They prefer areas with submerged woody debris.
Longear Sunfish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What flies work for Longear Sunfish in New York?
Small poppers, ants, gnats, pheasant tail nymphs, midges, Pat's rubber legs stonefly patterns, and small woolly buggers.
When is the best time to fish for Longear Sunfish in New York?
Warm months (late spring through early fall) when they're most active, avoiding the June-August spawning period. In colder months, switch to smaller offerings fished deeper and slower.
How do you catch Longear Sunfish in New York?
Small presentations since they have small mouths - hook sizes #8-#12 work best. In colder months use techniques like dead-drifting nymphs under indicators. Catch-and-release practices are essential.
What do Longear Sunfish eat?
They feed on aquatic insects (21%), terrestrial insects (37%), small fish (31%), and fish e.g.gs (7%), making them primarily carnivorous.
Where do Longear Sunfish live in New York?
They inhabit slow-moving, low-gradient streams and shallow areas of clear, warm lakes with densely weeded areas over gravel or sand bottoms. They tolerate some turbidity better than other sunfish species.
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