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Features: Green
sunfish have more of a bass-shaped
body and a larger mouth than
the other sunfishes, other
than the warmouth. Also,
unlike other sunfish except
the warmouth, the pectoral
fin is rounded, rather than
pointed. Green sunfish are
olive green on the back and
sides with a yellowish copper
or brassy hue on the lower
sides of the belly. Dusky
vertical bars are
often
present.
Turquoise
mottling,
often
in
the
form
of
bars,
radiates
backward
from
the
snout
and
eye.
They
have
a
dark
spot
at
the
base
of
the
rear
lobe
of
the
dorsal
fin.
Habitat: Green
sunfish are found in a variety
of habitats, from slow streams
to shallow lakes or ponds.
They are more frequently associated
with smallmouth bass than
the other sunfish, since they
are better adapted to stream
life. However, they can also
survive in waters too small
for most other sunfish. Green
sunfish are often found around
weed beds because of cover
and abundance of food. They
feed primarily on aquatic
insects.
Technique: Green
sunfish are found in many
of the lower elevation ponds,
lakes, reservoirs and river
backwaters throughout the
state. In general, green
sunfish prefer shallow, warmwater
areas with abundant aquatic
vegetation
and cover. Most are not tough
to catch, but you may have
to spend time looking for
schools of them. Green sunfish
are best targeted during
the
late spring when they are
spawning and can be found
in shallow water. Look for
them in ½ to
6 feet of water in wind-protected
areas such as the back ends
of coves. They will often
be over sand or gravel bottoms
where these are available.
Spawning begins when the
temperature
approaches 68oF. At other
times of the year find them
near weed beds, along drop-offs
or around submerged woody
debris. Use a bobber rig
and
size 10 or 12 hook baited
with worms, meal worm, crickets,
piece of nightcrawler or
other
natural bait. Green sunfish
also readily take small artificial
lures such as a jig or tiny
spinner, and small wet or
dry flies.
Green
sunfish rarely become large
enough to be pursued by most
anglers, except youngsters.
They are often considered
a liability because they compete
with more desirable game fish
and readily stunt in the face
of competition.
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