Range and Identity
Lepomis auritus is native to eastern North American waters and has been distributed beyond that range. Texas populations include introduced fish in streams where the species has become familiar. Local popularity therefore does not by itself establish that a population is native.
Habitat and Behavior
Adults inhabit rocky or sandy pools in creeks and rivers, plus rocky or vegetated lake edges. They consume terrestrial insects and aquatic insects, including larger mayflies and dragonflies. Juveniles rely more heavily on small bottom-associated animals such as fly larvae.
Food and Life History
The upper references are 30.5 centimeters total length and 790 grams. A male prepares a shallow depression for spawning and subsequently guards eggs and young. Exact egg counts vary among females, and a regional spawning season should remain tied to its location.
Field Note
Include the ear flap and overall body in a photograph. A bright breast alone can be less useful for identification than the combined shape and fin features.
All Lakes With Redbreast Sunfish
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Redbreast Sunfish records in our database, listed alphabetically.
Showing 1–24 of 335 lakes · Page 1 of 14
- Alexander Lake Northeastern Connecticut, CT
- Allatoona Lake Cherokee, GA
- Alum Pond Worcester, MA
- Amistad Reservoir Val Verde, TX
- Amos Lake Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- Andover Lake Capitol, CT
- Ashokan Reservoir East Basin Ulster, NY
- Ashokan Reservoir West Basin Ulster, NY
- Aspinook Pond Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- Avery Pond Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- B A Steinhagen Lake Jasper, TX
- Ball Pond Western Connecticut, CT
- Balmorhea Lake Reeves, TX
- Baltic Reservoir Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- Bankhead Lake Tuscaloosa, AL
- Bantam Lake Northwest Hills, CT
- Bantam River Reservoir Northwest Hills, CT
- Bashan Lake Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT
- Bass Lake Wake, NC
- Batterson Park Pond Capitol, CT
- Beach Pond Northeastern Connecticut, CT
- Beardsley Pond Northwest Hills, CT
- Beaver Brook Pond Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- Belton Lake Bell, TX