The Sunfish of New York
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New
York's Sunfish Species
Similarities
and Differences Among New York Sunfish
The
Sunfish of New York
Note:
This article first appeared in the July/August 1990 issue of The Conservationist magazine. Updated June 1999. Author-
Eileen C. Stegemann. Fourth in a 14-part series describing the Freshwater Fishes of New York.
Almost everyone loves sunfish! From the smaller, plentiful
pumpkinseed to the highly prized smallmouth and largemouth bass (yes, they are
members of the sunfish family), sunfish provide good fishing opportunities for
beginner and expert anglers alike. Sunfish are found in most waters in the
state, fight hard when hooked, and taste delicious.
While bass are the most popular sportfish of New York State
anglers, few other fish can make a youngster's eyes light up or save an adult's
otherwise uneventful fishing trip the way the smaller sunfish do. They are
usually found in schools, are relatively easy to catch, and are often the first
fish caught by children.
The smaller sunfish are pretty fish. With the possible exception
of the darters, these members of the sunfish family are the most colorful fish
found in the state. The brilliant shades of yellow, orange, green, and red
displayed by such species as the pumpkinseed, bluegill and redbreast are
beautiful to see.
About the Sunfish Family
With the diversity of species included in this family group,
sunfish live in a wide range of habitats. Rocky, cool lakes and streams, warm,
vegetated lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams are all home to one or more
members of the sunfish family.
Sunfish are small- to medium-sized fish with a single anal (bottom
rear fin) and a two-part dorsal (back) fin. They are spiny-rayed, with one or
more sharp spines found on their dorsal, pelvic (bottom front) and anal fins.
These spines help protect adult fish from being eaten by larger fish and can
prick the fingers of any angler who is not careful when removing the hook.
Reproduction (spawning) takes place from spring until summer. Male
sunfish build nests by using their fins to fan the bottom to remove fine
materials that might smother developing eggs. Females will often deposit eggs
in several nests. Males, however, remain in one nest and guard the eggs and
young. Some male sunfish may stay in the nest for up to three or more weeks.
Sunfish are important to recreational fishing in New York State. Smaller
sunfish can often be taken from shore with nothing more than a string with a
bobber and worm. Larger members of the sunfish family, such as smallmouth and
largemouth bass, challenge even the most experienced angler with the best
equipment.
Fourteen species of sunfish are found in New York State waters. Of
these 14, seven are commonly encountered by anglers and are the subject of this
article. These seven species are separated into three groups: 1) true sunfish;
2) black bass; and 3) rock bass and black crappie. The other less common sunfish
species not discussed here are the mud sunfish, bluespotted sunfish, banded
sunfish, green sunfish, warmouth, longear sunfish, and white crappie. For more
detailed information on the sunfish family, refer to, "The Inland Fishes
of New York State," by C. Lavett Smith.
True Sunfish
The true sunfish are small-sized fish and include three species:
bluegill, pumpkinseed, and redbreast. They are flat and deep-bodied in
appearance and are bright and colorful - hence the name sunfish. All are
usually easy to catch, good to eat, and extremely popular with anglers,
especially children.
Bluegill
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Bluegills are generally found in slow moving or standing water
where there is plenty of vegetation or other shelter. They are a pretty fish,
green to brown on their backs and upper sides shading into brown, orange, or
pink with traces of vertical bars along their bottom sides. The breast is
yellow to copper-orange, and the sides of their heads have metallic blue and
green overtones. The large, square-shaped, blue black gill flap and conspicuous
dark blotch on the back of the soft-rayed portion of their dorsal fins
distinguishes bluegills from their close relatives, the pumpkinseed. Bluegills
average four to ten inches in length.
Like other true sunfish, the bluegill eats mostly insects and
crustaceans. But unlike its cousins, the bluegill will also consume some plant
material.
Bluegills spawn from May to July. Nests are usually built close to
shore in firm sand or mud in two and one-half feet of water. Bluegills often
nest in colonies with nests sometimes right next to each other. Some male
bluegills have been known to raise two or three broods during one spawning
season.
Bluegills fight hard when hooked, providing good sport for
anglers. They bite just about any bait, artificial fly, or small lure dropped
in the water. Because of these qualities, they are frequently stocked in farm
ponds and other impoundments.
Pumpkinseed
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Of all the sunfish in New York State, the pumpkinseed is the
favorite of children. It is one of the most catchable of all freshwater
species, occurring in large numbers in shallow water close to shore and readily
biting small pieces of bait.
Pumpkinseeds are the most abundant and widespread species of
sunfish in New York State. They live in a wide range of habitats from small lakes
and ponds to shallow, weedy bays of larger lakes and quiet waters of slow
moving streams.
Pumpkinseeds are a small- to medium-sized fish, averaging four to
eight inches in length. They are one of the most colorful warmwater fish, with
a bronze to red-orange belly and irregular, wavy interconnecting blue-green
lines over a golden brown to olive background. Although often confused with
bluegills, they can be recognized by the pale margin surrounding a bright
scarlet spot on the rear portion of their gill flaps and the wavy emerald or
blue streaks on the sides of the their heads. In addition, pumpkinseeds have
long, pointed pectoral fins and no spot on the soft portion of their dorsal
fins.
Pumpkinseeds have similar feeding habits to other true sunfish. They
eat a wide variety of prey, including insects, crustaceans, and small fishes.
Spawning takes place from May until August. Like bluegills, pumpkinseeds
construct their nests close to shore in colonies. Nests are usually found in
areas of submerged vegetation in six to 12 inches of water.
Pumpkinseeds provide hours of fishing fun for all anglers. They
are strong fighters and have sweet-tasting fillets. Pumpkinseeds often provide
good sport when other fish are not biting.
Redbreast
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The redbreast sunfish is confined to the eastern portion of the
state and is of lesser importance to New York State anglers. While it inhabits
lakes and ponds, redbreasts mostly live in clear, slower moving streams with
sandy and rocky bottoms.
The redbreast is a relatively small sunfish, usually growing four
to eight inches long. Its body is golden brown to olive on top, with lighter
sides having reddish spots and vague blue streaks. The redbreast gets its name
from its bright yellow to orange-red breast. It closely resembles the
pumpkinseed but can be identified by its long, narrow, black gill cover and
small, rounded pectoral fins.
Redbreast sunfish have similar spawning habits to other sunfish.
They spawn from early June to mid-August and build their nests close together
in six to 18 inches of water.
Although they are not an important sportfish in most areas of New
York, redbreast sunfish can provide good sport. Like other sunfish, they will
put up a fight when hooked and make a tasty meal.
Black Basses
Smallmouth and largemouth bass are New York State's two species of
black basses. They are the largest members of the sunfish family and have a
more elongated, robust body shape. Both species are highly prized sportfish,
generally requiring more effort and skill to catch than other sunfish.
Smallmouth Bass
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Smallmouth bass are one of New York State's most important
gamefish. They are famous for their fighting ability when hooked and have the
reputation for being, inch-for-inch, the best sporting fish around.
Smallmouths are probably the most cold water adapted species of
sunfish. They prefer cool, clear water areas of lakes and flowing streams with
a gravelly or rocky bottom and moderate vegetation. Adult smallmouths are
usually found near the protection of rocks or near submerged logs.
Smallmouth bass closely resemble their cousins, the largemouths,
in appearance but can be identified by looking at their mouths and body color
markings. The upper jaws of smallmouths do not reach beyond the rear edge of
the eye, as do the largemouths, and there are a series of eight to 11 thin
vertical dark bars on the smallmouth's sides, rather than the often pronounced
dark horizontal stripe typical of largemouths.
Smallmouths are opportunistic predators, eating whatever live prey
is available. The bulk of their diet consists of insects, crayfish, and other
fish, but they will occasionally eat tadpoles and frogs. Early morning and
evening are their most active feeding times.
Spawning takes place from late May to early July. Males usually
build the nests on sandy, gravel, or rocky bottom areas near the protective
cover of rocks, logs or dense vegetation. Unlike other members of the sunfish
family, smallmouths usually build their nests many feet apart from each other.
Smallmouth bass may require more effort to catch than other
sunfish, but it is worth it. When hooking a smallmouth, anglers are often
rewarded with a series of leaps and runs that add to the excitement of the
catch. Two effective methods for catching smallmouths are still fishing with crayfish,
minnows or frogs, and casting live bait, spinners and plugs.
Largemouth Bass
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Largemouth bass are another major sportfish in New York State.
While they are not the spectacular fighters their cousins the smallmouth are,
largemouths can be just as challenging and exciting to land because of the
habitat they prefer.
Largemouths thrive best in warm, shallow, well-vegetated areas of
ponds and sluggish streams. They are rather solitary fish, preferring to stay
among dense aquatic vegetation or close to submerged cover, such as stumps,
logs, or dock pilings.
The largemouth bass is the largest member of the sunfish family
and has been known to reach weights in excess of ten pounds. It closely
resembles the smallmouth, but differs by its long upper jaw which extends well
beyond the eye, and its pronounced wide, solid black lateral band. In addition,
the largemouth is more of a dark green color than the smallmouth.
Largemouth bass are primarily fish-eating predators. They lie in
wait in the cover of weeds and ambush prey as it swims by. Crayfish, frogs, and
small animals, such as mice, are also eaten by this large sunfish.
Like smallmouths, largemouths are also late spring to midsummer
spawners. Largemouth nests are less elaborate than smallmouth nests. Nests are
built near protective cover in a variety of bottom types and are usually
located far apart from each other.
Largemouth bass are a popular gamefish with New York anglers. They
can be taken in weedy, stumpy areas by still fishing or casting with live bait
or a wide variety of lures, including plastic worms and surface plugs. Since
largemouths can thrive in small, warmer waters where other game species do not,
they play an important role in fishery management by providing a highly
desirable fishery in these waters.
Rock Bass and Black Crappie
Rock bass and black crappie are both popular panfish. They
generally live in the same areas as bluegill and pumpkinseed, but will frequent
open water areas more often. Although not as colorful, they resemble the true
sunfish in body shape. However, both rock bass and black crappie have five
sharp spines on their anal fins, whereas the rest of the sunfish family have
three.
Rock Bass
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Rock bass are found in many waters across the State. They are most
abundant in rocky and gravelly shallow water areas in lakes and ponds, and the
lower, warm reaches of streams. Rock bass are abundant in most of New York
State's large rivers. Often, they occur in the same areas as smallmouth bass
and compete with the bass for food. Rock bass are small to medium sized sunfish,
reaching six to ten inches in length. They are brownish in color with several
dark bars or blotches mottling their sides. Their bright red eyes have earned
them the nickname "redeyes" among many New York State anglers.
Rock bass have similar feeding habits to other sunfish, eating
mostly aquatic insects, crayfish, and small fishes. Spawning occurs from
mid-May to mid-June, usually after black bass, but before other sunfish. Nests
are built in a variety of bottom types, including gravel, mud, and in vegetation.
Like the black basses, rock bass also keep their nests well separated.
Rock bass are popular with many New York State anglers. They
generally occur in groups and readily bite live bait, small spinners, plugs,
and poppers. Since rock bass are often found with smallmouth bass, bass anglers
sometimes consider them a nuisance.
Black Crappie
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With the exception of the Adirondacks, the black crappie is common
in waters across New York State. It is usually found in clear, quiet waters of
lakes, ponds, and larger rivers where there is abundant vegetation.
Black crappies average eight to twelve inches in length and are
easily recognized by their highly compressed, diamond shaped bodies. They are
dark green to golden brown in color, with mottled patches of dark scales.
Typical sunfish, black crappies spawn from May to July. The nests
are built in ten to 24 inches of water in sand or gravel areas with some
vegetation. Most nests are kept five to six feet apart.
Black crappies provide good fishing opportunities. Usually
occurring in large schools, they can provide fast and furious action for
anglers. This is especially true in early to mid-spring when large numbers
gather prior to spawning. And, like the rest of the sunfish family, black
crappies make a delicious meal.
Sunfish and People
Fishing can greatly influence fish populations. Left unchecked,
anglers could unknowingly overharvest a particular species and affect both the
abundance and size quality of the fishery.
To ensure that healthy fish populations are maintained, DEC has
set closed seasons and established creel (number of fish that can be taken) and
size limits for many fish species. These regulations have been created to
protect fish during vulnerable life stages. For example, seasons are closed to
coincide with spawning times, and large size limits are set to enable fish to
reach spawning age and provide for quality fisheries.
Each species has its own set of regulations. Popular sportfish,
such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, often require strict size, creel, and
season limits. These bass live longer and mature more slowly than other fish
species. Regulations are necessary to make sure enough adults are left to
provide both continued good fishing and sufficient reproduction.
Other species, such as pumpkinseed and bluegill, generally do not
require such strict fishing regulations. Unlike bass, these two sunfish species
usually reproduce very rapidly and successfully and can withstand larger limits
on angling regulations. The goal of these panfish regulations is to maintain
size quality in fisheries. While DEC sets fishing regulations, maintaining
healthy fish populations also needs the cooperation of anglers. For instance,
today many bass anglers practice catch-and-release fishing, voluntarily
returning their legal-size, mature fish to the water for other anglers to
enjoy, and so these adult fish can spawn again. Such cooperative programs will
help ensure there are plenty of fish for future anglers.
Scientific Names
Many species of fish look alike, making it difficult to tell them
apart. In addition, many types of fish have different common names in different
parts of the country. To distinguish one organism from another, biologists give
each a scientific name that is unique to that organism. The names are derived
from Latin and consist of a genus and a species. The genus name is first and is
capitalized. The species is second and is in lower case. Both the genus and
species are either underlined or italicized when written. While several
organisms in the same family share a common genus name (like family members
sharing a last name) they have different species names. Occasionally, two
members of a family are so similar that one is considered a subspecies of the other.
In these cases, the organisms are given two species names. Here are the common
and scientific names of New York State's sunfish:
|
Scientific Names of
Fish Species |
|
|
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
|
Smallmouth
Bass |
Micropterus
dolomieui |
|
Largemouth
Bass |
Micropterus
salmoides |
|
Bluegill |
Lepomis
macrochirus |
|
Pumpkinseed |
Lepomis
gibbosus |
|
Redbreast |
Lepomis
auritus |
|
Rock Bass |
Ambloplites
rupestris |
|
Black
Crappie |
Pomoxis
nigromaculatus |