The Spotted Sunfish

Range and Identity

Lepomis punctatus is retained for this entry. Older accounts can overlap the broader treatment that included Redspotted Sunfish, so their entire range and upper size should not be transferred automatically. Georgia describes the fish in several Atlantic and Gulf-draining southeastern systems.

Habitat and Behavior

Vegetated lowland streams, shallow ponds and sheltered river habitats provide cover. Stumps can be useful places to locate feeding fish. The account includes insect immatures and tiny crustaceans as foods, while worms and crickets are documented fishing baits.

Food and Life History

Georgia reports that the fish rarely reaches half a pound, a regional size description rather than a verified global maximum. Small spinners, flies and popping bugs are also used. Breeding occurs in shallow water, with timing dependent on regional conditions.

All Lakes With Spotted Sunfish

Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Spotted Sunfish records in our database, listed alphabetically.

Showing 1–24 of 78 lakes · Page 1 of 4

• Amistad Reservoir Val Verde, TX
• B A Steinhagen Lake Jasper, TX
• Bidd Sands Lake Evans, GA
• Big Lazer Creek PFA Lake Talbot, GA
• Brushy Lake Tensas, LA
• Caddo Lake Caddo, LA
• Catahoula Lake LaSalle, LA
• Choke Canyon Reservoir Live Oak, TX
• Crooked Creek Reservoir Evangeline, LA
• Dead Lakes Calhoun, FL
• Dodge County PFA Lake Dodge, GA
• Dubuisson Lake St. Landry, LA
• Falcon Reservoir Starr, TX
• False River Pointe Coupee, LA
• Hamburg Lake Washington, GA
• Henderson Lake St. Martin, LA
• Horseshoe Lake Caldwell, LA
• Horseshoe Lake Morehouse, LA
• Hugh M. Gillis PFA Lake Laurens, GA
• John K. Kelly Grand Bayou Reservoir Red River, LA
• Kepler Creek Lake Bienville, LA
• Lac des Allemands St. John the Baptist, LA
• Lady Bird Lake Travis, TX
• Lake Bastrop Bastrop, TX