Freshwater

Pumpkinseed sunfish

Pez sol calabaza (pumpkinseed)

Lepomis gibbosus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

4–7 in.

Depth

1–15 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

11 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Colorful little sunfish with an orange-yellow belly, wavy blue-green lines on the cheeks, orange spots on the sides, and a black ear flap with a bright red-orange spot at the tip.
Typical size: 4–7 in.
Maximum size: About 11 in and 1½ lb.
Diet: Snails, insects, small crustaceans and worms.
Behavior: Lives in weedy shallows and around docks; males guard nests in shallow water in late spring.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Northeast Lakes & Rivers, U.S. Great Lakes, Upper Midwest Lakes, Ontario Great Lakes, Quebec, Northern Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & PEI, Midwest & Ohio Valley Lakes, Pacific Northwest Rivers & Lakes, New Hampshire & Maine and Rhode Island & Massachusetts. Weedy lakes, ponds and slow streams of the northeastern U.S., the Great Lakes region and southern Canada; introduced in the West.
Habitat: Weedy lakes, ponds and slow streams of the northeastern U.S., the Great Lakes region and southern Canada; introduced in the West.
Depth: 1–15 ft.
Fishing depth: 2–8 ft near weeds and docks.
Best season: Late spring and summer; also through the ice.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: No tide; wind and water level matter more.
Best weather / conditions: Warm, sunny days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Worms, crickets, mealworms and small bits of bait.
Best artificial lures: Tiny jigs, small spinners and small poppers on a fly rod.
Tackle setup: Ultralight spinning rod, cane pole or light fly rod.
Hook size: Size 8–10.
Line: 2–4 lb.
Leader: Not needed.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Line Jigs Bobbers Hooks Bait Tool

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Weedy lakes, ponds and slow streams of the northeastern U.S., the Great Lakes region and southern Canada; introduced in the West.
Rig up: Ultralight spinning rod, cane pole or light fly rod. Not needed.
Pick your bait: Worms, crickets, mealworms and small bits of bait. Lures: Tiny jigs, small spinners and small poppers on a fly rod.
Fish it: Fish a small worm under a bobber near weeds and docks.
Time it: Daytime. No tide; wind and water level matter more.

Fishing techniques: Fish a small worm under a bobber near weeds and docks.
BigJoe's tip: A perfect first fish for kids.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Small but sweet; pan-fry whole or fillet several.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Small spines on the fins.
Regulations: Usually counted in a general panfish limit; check local rules. Licenses, limits and seasons are set by each province, territory or state, and many lakes and rivers have special size limits, slot limits or closed spawning seasons — check the current regulations for the water you fish.
Conservation: Common.

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Sources & photo credits