Flier
Centrarchus macropterus
The flier is a small North American sunfish with a very deep body and a dark spot at the rear of the dorsal fin. It is a warmwater, freshwater species common in vegetated ponds, swamps, and slow streams, and is a minor angling fish rather than a major game species.
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Identification points
- Deep, laterally compressed sunfish body with a small mouth
- A distinct dark spot at the rear of the dorsal fin
- Olive-brown to bronze sides often with faint bars and a darker ear flap
Habitat
Shallow, still or very slow freshwater with dense aquatic vegetation, soft bottoms, beaver ponds, swamps, backwaters, and sluggish oxbows; often among lily pads and submerged weeds.
Bait notes
Small worms, crickets, mealworms, and tiny pieces of nightcrawler work well; also small flies, micro jigs, and 1/32- to 1/16-oz soft plastics or spinners.
Behavior
Feeds on insects, small crustaceans, worms, and other tiny aquatic prey, usually close to cover in warm, quiet water. It is a small, schooling sunfish that bites readily but is not a hard-fighting species.
Caution
No major species-specific hazards are notable; follow local freshwater fish consumption advisories if present.
Fishing notes
Use light line and small hooks around weed edges, holes in vegetation, and shaded pockets. A float-rigged bait fished slowly is often best; this is an easy panfish for beginners.