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Spotted Sunfish

Lepomis punctatus

Spotted Sunfish is a small North American sunfish found mainly in slow, vegetated freshwater systems of the Southeast. It feeds on small invertebrates and is often overlooked by anglers, but will readily bite tiny offerings.

Süßwasser
Spotted Sunfish reference image
Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Quelle: Wikimedia Commons.

Identifikationspunkte

  • Dark spots scattered across the body and on the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins
  • Olive to brown body with a relatively deep, sunfish-shaped profile
  • Small mouth and a dark opercular flap with a pale rear margin

Lebensraum

Shallow, warm freshwater—especially ponds, sluggish creeks, marshes, cypress sloughs, and vegetated backwaters with soft bottoms and cover such as plants, wood, or undercut banks.

Ködernotizen

Small worms, crickets, mealworms, red wigglers, tiny beetles, and insect larvae work well. Tiny jigs, soft plastics, and micro-spinners in natural colors can also catch them.

Verhalten

Typically keeps near cover in calm water and picks insects, worms, crustaceans, and small aquatic prey from vegetation or the bottom. It is most active in warm weather and may feed in short bursts around dawn, dusk, and shaded periods.

Vorsicht

none notable

Angelnotizen

Use ultralight tackle, small hooks, and light line. Fish slowly around weed edges, holes in vegetation, and shaded pockets; a small float helps keep bait just off bottom or above weeds.