Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
Known locally as the 'shellcracker' for its habit of crushing snails and small clams, the redear sunfish is a large, deep-bodied panfish distinguished by the bright red-orange margin on its ear flap. It is a springtime favorite in Alabama, bedding in colonies over sandy or gravelly bottoms.
Firm sandy or gravelly bottoms near vegetation in warm lakes and ponds.
How to Catch Redear Sunfish
Whether you're new to targeting Redear Sunfish or refining your approach, success starts with matching your tactics to where the fish lives. Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) is typically found in lake water, pond water, and reservoir water, so concentrate your effort where those conditions line up. Mature Redear Sunfish average around 9 inches, which helps you choose the right line, lure size, and tackle for the fight.
Where to Find Redear Sunfish in the USA & Canada
Redear Sunfish is recorded across a range of North American waters, including spots in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Browse the linked water guides below to see the specific lakes, rivers, and coastal waters where anglers report catching Redear Sunfish, then plan a trip around the water closest to you.
Redear Sunfish Fishing Regulations & Limits
Fishing rules for Redear Sunfish vary by state and province. Before you head out, check the daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons that apply in your area. When FishFinder has matching records, the regulations link below takes you to the rules hub. Following local limits keeps Redear Sunfish populations healthy for future seasons.
Related Water Guides for Redear Sunfish
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Redear Sunfish is recorded:
- Lake Guntersville — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Wheeler Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Wilson Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Pickwick Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Weiss Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lay Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Logan Martin Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Neely Henry Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Martin — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- R.L. Harris Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Yates Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Thurlow Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Walter F. George Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Alabama River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Mobile-Tensaw Delta — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Jackson (Florala) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Havasu — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Colorado River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Alamo Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Chicot — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Clear Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Diamond Valley Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Sonoma — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Colorado River (California) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Cahuilla — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Okeechobee — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Kissimmee — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- St. Johns River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Seminole — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Talquin — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Crab Orchard Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Ohio River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Monroe Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Patoka Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Turtle Creek Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Wawasee — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Kentucky Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Barkley — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Barren River Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Herrington Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Toledo Bend Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Caddo Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Sabine River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Poverty Point Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- False River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Eagle Lake (Louisiana) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- John K. Kelly-Grand Bayou Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Bussey Brake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- D'Arbonne Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Atchafalaya Basin — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lac des Allemands — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Verret — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Bistineau — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Cross Lake (Louisiana) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Claiborne — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Chicot Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Black Lake (Louisiana) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Red River (Louisiana) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Ouachita River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Henderson Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Ross Barnett Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Eagle Lake (Mississippi) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Washington — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Moon Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Choctaw Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Davis Lake (Chickasaw County) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Lamar Bruce — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Monroe — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Okhissa — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Calling Panther Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Neshoba County Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Tangipahoa (Percy Quin State Park) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Pascagoula River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Bogue Homa — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Flanagan Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Prairie Queen Recreation Area — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Gaston — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Marion — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Moultrie — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Reelfoot Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Duck River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Athens — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Fayette County Reservoir — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lady Bird Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Guadalupe River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Devils River — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Lake Anna — Redear Sunfish fishing water
- Briery Creek Lake — Redear Sunfish fishing water
Redear Sunfish Regulations
Review current FishFinder regulation records before targeting Redear Sunfish:
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of water is best for catching Redear Sunfish?
Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) is typically found in lake water, pond water, and reservoir water. Focus your effort where those conditions line up to improve your chances.
How big does Redear Sunfish get?
Mature Redear Sunfish average around 9 inches, though individual fish can run larger. Matching your line, lure size, and tackle to that range makes for a better fight and landing rate.
Where can I catch Redear Sunfish in the USA and Canada?
Redear Sunfish is reported across North American waters, including spots in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Check the locations listed on this page to find the lakes, rivers, and coastal waters closest to you.
Do I need a fishing license to catch Redear Sunfish?
A valid fishing license is required in most US states and Canadian provinces. Daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons for Redear Sunfish vary by region, so review the regulations on this page and with your local wildlife authority before heading out.