Select a state to find fishing and boating information:
Get A Fishing License
Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more.
Register A Boat
Register your boat today. Learn how to register your vessel, boating laws and more.
Home > Learn to Fish & Boat > Fish Species > Redear Sunfish
Like the bluegill and other sunfishes, the redear sunfish is and excellent panfish with white, flaky meat.
This rather large sunfish is known to reach over 4.5 lb. (2.04 kg). As is typical of sunfishes, the redear has a small mouth, connected dorsal fins and a roundish, laterally compressed body. Its long, pointed, slightly falcate pectoral fins distinguish it from both the longear sunfish and the redbreast sunfish, which have short, round pectoral fins. The operculum is also much shorter than in the other two species and is black, with a red spot or margin at the tip. It can be distinguished from the similar looking pumpkinseed by the fact that its gill cover flap is semi-flexible and can be bent at least to right angles, whereas the flap on the pumpkinseed is rigid. It also lacks the spots on the dorsal fin and the bluish emerald lines on the sides of the head that are characteristic of the pumpkinseed. The body is slightly less compressed than that of the bluegill, which differs from the redear most noticeably in the fact that its gill cover flap is entirely black without any spot or trim.
This species is native to the U.S. Gulf states from Texas to Florida, including all of the Florida peninsula, and north to Indiana and North Carolina. Through introductions, the redear’s range has been extended northward to the Great Lakes and transplanted populations also exist in the West. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:
It is less likely to be caught on artificials, such as spinners or poppers, than the other sunfishes. It prefers small live baits such as worms, grubs, and insects. Rarely, the redear will take a small fly or other small lure. It is strictly an angler’s fish and has no commercial value. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:
The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:
10 Questions to Ask When Booking Guided Fishing Trips
Read More
Fishing on Lake Erie, Ohio
Tips for How to Tie a Boat to a Dock
Do you like this content? Subscribe to our Newsletter and get all the information you need to learn, plan, and equip for your next fishing adventure.
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
Sign-up to receive our monthly newsletter with interesting blogs about fishing and boating. Get fishing tips and tricks and read personal stories from anglers who live and breathe fishing and boating. Learn new fishing skills, boating resources, fishing etiquette, conservation and more.
Please complete the following fields to subscribe to our newsletter.
SUBSCRIBERS PREFERENCES
What information would you like?