Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)

Body Type & Identification: One of the most colorful freshwater fish in North America — brilliant olive with orange spots, blue-green wavy lines on the cheeks, and a distinctive orange-red spot on the edge of the dark "ear" flap. A close relative of Bluegill but smaller and more brightly colored. Excellent eating despite small size.

Preferred Water Temperature: 63°F–75°F. A cool-water sunfish more common in northern lakes than Bluegill. Spawn in late spring and early summer in visible shallow nests — colonial nesters like other sunfish.

Habitat: Clear, cool lakes, ponds, and slow rivers of the northeastern US, Great Lakes, and Canada. Associate with aquatic vegetation, dock pilings, and rocky shorelines. One of the most common sunfish in northern lakes — sometimes the dominant sunfish in clear, weedy Midwestern and Northeastern lakes.

Best Lures: Small poppers and dry flies on light fly tackle produce excellent sport. Small inline spinners work very well. Tiny jigs produce catches. Small Beetle Spins are outstanding for this species.

Best Baits: Small worms and nightcrawler pieces are the top bait. Crickets produce excellent results. Wax worms work particularly well. Small snails are a natural bait — Pumpkinseed have specially adapted teeth for crushing snail shells. Small pieces of earthworm on a #8–10 hook under a small bobber near vegetation is the classic approach.

Top 5 Destinations: Lake Champlain VT/NY, Finger Lakes NY, Lake of the Woods MN, St. Lawrence River NY, Numerous northern Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes.