Often found near debris or vegetation, green sunfish are most often caught by pole fishing. These fish can be found in the central part of the U.S. Live bait works best for these fish, especially worms.
Habitat: Lake, Pond
How to identify Green Sunfish
Green sunfish have elongated, thick bodies and large mouths. Their bodies are brown/dark green with an iridescent color variation of bronze/dark green that graduates to lighter yellow/green on their flanks. Their bellies are pale yellow or white. They may have areas of blue/green markings on their heads as well as wave-like markings. On their backs, they have several slightly visible dark bar markings.
Where to catch Green Sunfish
Green sunfish can be found in the eastern/central U.S., extending over to the western Appalachians. They are not found along the eastern states.
The following are habitats where you can catch Green Sunfish:
- Cliffs and Steep Shore Banks
- Freshwater Lakes and Ponds
- Freshwater Weed Beds
- Gradual Shores
- Lake and Pond Fishing Holes
- Inlets and Outlets
- Inside Turns and Coves
- Islands or Sand Bars
- Lily Pads
- Open Water
- Overhanging Trees and Bushes
- Piers, Docks and Pilings
- Points and Break Lines
- Rocks
- Shoreline Shallows
- Springs Holes
- Sunken Objects
- Walkways and Bridges
How to catch Green Sunfish
The most popular method to use when catching green sunfish is pole fishing. The lighter the pole, the easier it will be to tell when the fish strikes. It sometimes helps to bob the bait in the water, especially if the bait is dead. Look for green sunfish near debris or in weed beds. In addition to pole fishing, these fish can be caught by drift fishing, fly fishing, and trolling.
The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Green Sunfish:
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Green Sunfish
The most effective bait to use for green sunfish is live bait. Nightcrawlers, mealworms, bloodworms, and waxworms are all good choices.
The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Green Sunfish:
