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Longear Sunfish

Longear Sunfish

The Longear Sunfish is one of Pennsylvania's most endangered fish species, listed as Pennsylvania Endangered with a critically imperiled state ranking (S1).

This stunning sunfish averages 24 cm in length and is distinguished by its elongated opercular flaps (ear flaps) that give it its name.

Scientific Name: Lepomis megalotis

Physical Characteristics:

Males display spectacular coloration with brick red backs and sides intensifying to bright orange on the head, breast and belly, adorned with neon blue stripes radiating from the mouth and eyes.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

Today, surviving populations exist only in southwestern Pennsylvania's Wheeling Creek system winding through Greene and Washington counties, with occasional single individuals taken from the Ohio River. Longear Sunfish prefer clear, shallow, well-vegetated headwater streams with rocky and sandy pools, avoiding strong current, turbid water, and silt bottoms.

Key Locations

Focus efforts in southwestern Pennsylvania, specifically the Wheeling Creek system in Greene and Washington counties, or try the Ohio River though success there is extremely rare.

Specific Spots

Fish near structure like rock complexes, boulders, downed trees, submerged vegetation, root wads, bridge pilings, and weed-lined shorelines.

Longear Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Longear Sunfish in Pennsylvania?

1/16 to 1/4 oz jigheads with small curly tail plastics, fathead minnows, small spinners, crickets, grasshoppers, and garden worms. White colored lures are particularly effective.

What flies work for Longear Sunfish in Pennsylvania?

Small poppers and foam bugs for surface action, size 8-12 patterns being optimal for their smaller mouths. Subsurface options include small woolly buggers, Pat's rubber legs stonefly patterns, microjigs (1/100 to 1/64 oz on #10 hooks), pheasant tail nymphs, and midge patterns.

When is the best time to fish for Longear Sunfish in Pennsylvania?

The best fishing occurs during warmer months from mid-spring through mid-fall when they're most active, avoiding spring and summer spawning periods (late spring to early summer). In colder months, fish deeper and slower with smaller offerings below indicators.

How do you catch Longear Sunfish in Pennsylvania?

Use slow retrieves as they prefer to inspect rather than chase fast-moving prey. They feed more extensively near the surface than other sunfish, making topwater techniques productive.

What do Longear Sunfish eat?

They feed throughout the water column on various invertebrates, aquatic insects, fish eggs, terrestrial insects that fall into the water, and occasionally small fish. They're known to follow suckers around, picking through disturbed sediment.

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