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Longear Sunfish

Longear Sunfish

Longear Sunfish are among West Virginia's most colorful freshwater fish. West Virginia sits on the eastern edge of their native range, but they're well-established in many warm-water streams and lakes throughout the state.

Scientific Name: Lepomis megalotis

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by their elongated black ear flaps bordered by blue or light lines.
  • These vibrant fish display a brown to red base color with wavy blue lines on the cheeks and opercle, and blue bars marbled across their sides.
  • In West Virginia waters, catchable longear sunfish typically range from 3 to 7 inches.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They're commonly found in medium-sized streams, particularly along margins near vegetation and woody debris.
  • Longear sunfish prefer clear, shallow waters with hard clay or gravel bottoms and permanent flow, typically inhabiting headwaters of streams with numerous pools.

Key Locations

  • The Kanawha River has documented populations with foraging studies conducted there.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas with structure: root wads, downed trees, eddies, long slow-moving pools, bridge pilings, weed-lined shorelines, brush piles, and undercut banks.
  • Look for gravel or hard substrates in medium-sized streams with permanent flow.
  • Focus on margins near vegetation and woody debris where they commonly congregate.

Longear Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Common panfish baits like worms, crickets, and small lures. Small microjigs (1/100oz to 1/64oz on #10 hooks).

What flies work for Longear Sunfish in West Virginia?

Small patterns are key: Foam Ants, Micro Chubby Chernobyls with rubber legs, small poppers (but avoid oversized patterns), Pat's rubber legs stonefly patterns, small woolly buggers, pheasant tail nymphs (#12-#14 hooks), and midges work well.

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

The best time to fish for Longear Sunfish in West Virginia is from mid-spring through mid-fall (April through September), with peak activity in warmer months when water temperatures are consistently above 70°F.

How do you catch Longear Sunfish in West Virginia?

Small microjigs (1/100oz to 1/64oz on #10 hooks) are highly effective when dapped in likely areas. When water temperatures drop below 70°F, switch to smaller offerings presented deeper and slower, using indicators with dead drift or slow retrieval.

What do Longear Sunfish eat?

They're carnivorous fish that feed extensively near the surface compared to other sunfish, consuming aquatic insects (particularly midgeflies), microcrustaceans, fish e.g.gs, young bass and sunfish, terrestrial insects like dragonflies, detritus, snails, and leeches.

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