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Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish

The Redear Sunfish is a popular panfish species found throughout most of Virginia, though it's only native to the upper Tennessee River basin in southwest Virginia. Known colloquially as 'Shellcrackers' in Virginia due to their specialized feeding habits.

Scientific Name: Lepomis microlophus

Also known as Shellcrackers

Physical Characteristics:
  • These fish possess distinctive crescent-shaped red borders on their gill cover flaps and typically grow beyond 10 inches in length and 2 pounds in weight - larger than most other sunfish species.
  • They have slightly downturned mouths.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout most of Virginia, though only native to the upper Tennessee River basin in southwest Virginia.
  • These fish prefer quieter waters with abundant hard structure, gravitating toward stumps, logs, submerged brush, and rootwads in reservoirs, lakes, and ponds.

Key Locations

  • Little Creek Reservoir where they're known for producing citation-sized specimens, Norfolk's reservoirs including Lake Prince and Western Branch, and various lakes throughout southwest Virginia including Keokee Lake, Hidden Valley Lake, and South Holston Reservoir.

Specific Spots

  • Quieter waters with hard structure like stumps, logs, submerged brush, and rootwads.
  • Focus on depths of 15-20 feet in clear water reservoirs, especially along points and drop-offs.
  • In Virginia's reservoirs, productive areas include the northern creek arms and small pocket coves.

Redear Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Redear Sunfish in Virginia?

Natural baits are highly effective, particularly nightcrawler worms, corn, and leeches, as Redear Sunfish typically don't respond well to artificial lures but readily take natural offerings.

What flies work for Redear Sunfish in Virginia?

Effective fly patterns include triangle bugs, wet flies, and small poppers in sizes #6 to #8, with 20-gauge lead wire wrapped around hooks and drop shot sinkers of 1/8 to 1/4 ounce to help flies reach the bottom.

When is the best time to fish for Redear Sunfish in Virginia?

Spawning occurs in spring when water temperatures reach about 70°F - this period should be avoided for fishing to protect reproductive fish. In Virginia's reservoirs, productive areas include the northern creek arms during May when larger specimens concentrate in small pocket coves.

How do you catch Redear Sunfish in Virginia?

Bottom-fishing techniques. Focus on fishing depths of 15-20 feet in clear water reservoirs, especially along points and drop-offs. Use depth finders to locate proper structure in deeper, clearer lakes.

What do Redear Sunfish eat?

Redear Sunfish primarily feed by scavenging the substrate with their slightly downturned mouths, using specialized throat teeth to crush shells of snails and small mussels. They also opportunistically feed on macroinvertebrates like chironomid larvae, ostracods, sphaeriid clams, and amphipods.

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