Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
Known locally as the 'shellcracker' for its habit of crushing snails and small clams, the redear sunfish is a large, deep-bodied panfish distinguished by the bright red-orange margin on its ear flap. It is a springtime favorite in Alabama, bedding in colonies over sandy or gravelly bottoms.
Firm sandy or gravelly bottoms near vegetation in warm lakes and ponds.
Redear Sunfish Habitat & Size
Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) is associated with lake water, pond water, and reservoir water in the species record. Habitat information describes the species, not permission to fish for it. The recorded average size is approximately 9 inches; individual sizes vary.
Recorded Waters for Redear Sunfish
FishFinder links Redear Sunfish to water records in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports or current abundance. Read the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches.
Redear Sunfish Fishing Regulations & Limits
A recorded association does not establish that targeting or retaining Redear Sunfish is permitted. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority before fishing. A fishing license does not override these restrictions. FishFinder's regulation records may be incomplete; missing rules do not mean unrestricted fishing.
Related Water Guides for Redear Sunfish
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Redear Sunfish is recorded:
- Lake Guntersville — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Wheeler Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Wilson Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Pickwick Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Weiss Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lay Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Logan Martin Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Neely Henry Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Martin — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- R.L. Harris Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Yates Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Thurlow Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Walter F. George Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Alabama River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Mobile-Tensaw Delta — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Jackson (Florala) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Havasu — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Colorado River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Alamo Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Chicot — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Clear Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Diamond Valley Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Sonoma — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Colorado River (California) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Cahuilla — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Okeechobee — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Kissimmee — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- St. Johns River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Seminole — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Talquin — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Crab Orchard Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Ohio River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Monroe Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Patoka Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Turtle Creek Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Wawasee — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Kentucky Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Barkley — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Barren River Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Herrington Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Toledo Bend Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Caddo Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Sabine River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Poverty Point Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- False River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Eagle Lake (Louisiana) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- John K. Kelly-Grand Bayou Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Bussey Brake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- D'Arbonne Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Atchafalaya Basin — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lac des Allemands — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Verret — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Bistineau — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Cross Lake (Louisiana) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Claiborne — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Chicot Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Black Lake (Louisiana) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Red River (Louisiana) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Ouachita River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Henderson Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Ross Barnett Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Eagle Lake (Mississippi) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Washington — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Moon Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Choctaw Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Davis Lake (Chickasaw County) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Lamar Bruce — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Monroe — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Okhissa — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Calling Panther Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Neshoba County Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Tangipahoa (Percy Quin State Park) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Pascagoula River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Bogue Homa — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Flanagan Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Prairie Queen Recreation Area — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Gaston — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Marion — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Moultrie — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Reelfoot Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Duck River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Athens — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Fayette County Reservoir — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lady Bird Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Guadalupe River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Devils River — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Lake Anna — recorded Redear Sunfish association
- Briery Creek Lake — recorded Redear Sunfish association
Equipment planning for Redear Sunfish
We have not selected a species-specific affiliate setup for this guide. First establish whether targeting is permitted at your destination; no tackle recommendation should be inferred from a species record.
Equipment guidance is not permission to fish. Confirm the exact water, date, species, method and current official rules first. A closed season prohibits targeting, even with release. Recorded fish presence does not establish an open fishery.
- Check permitted methods, bait and hook restrictions before choosing tackle. Match rod, line and lure ratings to the lawful method and conditions, rather than buying by species name alone.
- Plan weather protection, drinking water and a way to call for help. For boat trips, confirm required flotation and safety equipment with the responsible boating authority.
- Read the habitat and water-specific source notes in this guide, then confirm an appropriate lawful method with the local fisheries authority before choosing equipment. Do not assume a general freshwater combo suits every species or water.
This is an editorial planning checklist, not hands-on product testing. Use equipment you already own when suitable. The gear directory contains affiliate links; any product suggestions below have their own disclosure. Retailer region, availability and Canadian shipping are not guaranteed.
Browse the gear directory · Find official fishing-rule sources · Affiliate disclosure
Redear Sunfish Regulations
Review available regulation records and confirm whether fishing for Redear Sunfish is permitted with the responsible fisheries authority:
Frequently Asked Questions
What water types are associated with Redear Sunfish?
The species record associates Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) with lake water, pond water, and reservoir water. Habitat information is not evidence of current abundance or permission to target the species.
How big does Redear Sunfish get?
The recorded average size for Redear Sunfish is approximately 9 inches. Individual sizes vary; this average is not a maximum size or a legal retention limit.
Where does FishFinder record water associations for Redear Sunfish?
FishFinder links Redear Sunfish to water records in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports. Check the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches; a listing does not guarantee current presence or legal fishing opportunity.
Does a listing or fishing license permit fishing for Redear Sunfish?
No. A listing records an association, not permission to target or retain Redear Sunfish. License requirements and exemptions vary. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority. A license does not override restrictions, and missing FishFinder regulation records do not mean unrestricted fishing.