Redbreast Sunfish

Small (about 1 inch), narrow-profile nymphs in bright colors tied on longer shank hooks (size 12-14). Effective patterns include durable flies without hackle or legs that get destroyed by repeated catches. Small Betts bluegill/panfish poppers and sliders in size 8.

Fall provides the peak fishing season. They can be caught year-round but become concentrated and vulnerable during late spring and early summer spawning periods (avoid targeting them during nest-building and brood-guarding phases in June).

For fly fishing, fish small nymphs as droppers behind larger bass flies. Fish early morning and evening for best results, and try the last hour before dark when they become very active. They readily take flies dead-drifted under an indicator and will often hit as soon as the fly touches water.

They're generalist invertivores with a varied diet including aquatic insects (especially mayflies, dragonflies, dipterans, ephemeropterans, and trichopterans), terrestrial insects, crayfish, small fish, and decapod crustaceans.

Native to Pennsylvania's Atlantic slope watersheds, including the Delaware, Susquehanna, and Potomac River drainages. They prefer stream and river (lotic) habitats over lakes and ponds, making them uncommon in lentic environments and absent from the Ohio River and Lake Erie drainages.