Range and Identity
Lepomis microlophus is native to southern and central North American waters and is widely stocked in ponds and reservoirs. The orange or red mark on the ear flap and its small mouth help distinguish it from other sunfishes. Stocked occurrence should retain that history.
Habitat and Behavior
Adults favor warm, clear water with little current and abundant aquatic plants. Protected bays and overflow pools provide stream habitat. Snails and other mollusks are crushed by broad, flattened throat teeth, giving a physical explanation for the Shellcracker name.
Food and Life History
The compiled upper length is 43.2 centimeters total length. An agency account describes fish exceeding four pounds, so a much smaller compiled weight is unsuitable as the maximum. Nests are shallow depressions and may form colonies with closely adjoining rims.
Field Note
Natural baits such as earthworms and grubs are useful where fishing is allowed. Keep the presentation near occupied habitat rather than assuming every open part of a pond holds equal numbers.
All Lakes With Redear Sunfish
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Redear Sunfish records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
Showing 1–24 of 6,196 lakes · Page 1 of 259
- A A Rauchfuss Lake Caldwell, NC
- A S U Lake Watauga, NC
- A W Dale Lake Montgomery, AL
- A. J. Jolly Lake Campbell, KY
- Abel Lake Cleburne, AL
- Aberdeen Lake Monroe, MS
- Abramson Lake Lauderdale, AL
- Acherman Pond Dale, AL
- Achunachi Lake DeKalb, AL
- Acock Pond (historical) Houston, AL
- Acton Lake Shelby, AL
- Acton Lake Shelby, AL
- Adair Park Lake Adair, OK
- Adams Lake Blount, AL
- Adams Lake Houston, AL
- Adams Lake Shelby, AL
- Adams Lake Guilford, NC
- Adams Mill Pond Kershaw, SC
- Adams Millpond Barbour, AL
- Adams Pond Covington, AL
- Adams Pond Covington, AL
- Aderholds Lake Calhoun, AL
- Aderholts Lake Calhoun, AL
- Adkins Brothers Lake Robertson, KY