Sunfish Fishing in California for Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Tilapia, Warmouth, White Bass and Other CA Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout California and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Best Sunfish Fishing Lakes In California.

Some of the major waters that hold panfish in California include Lake Almanor, Lake Berryessa, Bullards Bar Reservoir, Clear Lake, Folsom Lake, Lake Oroville and Lake Shasta in Northern CA. Try your panfish skills at The Delta, Lake Don Pedro, Lake McClure, Millerton Lake, Lake Nacimiento, New Melones Lake and Pine Flat Lake in Central CA. For panfish in Southern CA try Big Bear Lake, Lake Cahuilla, Lake Castaic, Lake Elsinore, El Capitan Lake, Lake Hodges, Laguna Niguel Lake, Lower Otay Lake, Pyramid Lake, San Vicente Lake, Lake Silverwood, Lake Skinner and Lake Sutherland.

The California state record bluegill sunfish was taken out of Lower Otay Reservoir and a private pond near Bella Vista produced the CA syaye record green sunfish. The CA state record pumpkinseed sunfish was caught from Mt. Meadows Reservoir. Folsom So. Canal was home to the state record redear sunfish.

Panfish are prolific spawners and repopulate the waters as fast as they are harvested. A common problem with panfish fishing is that the waters are under-fished causing panfish to overpopulate. As a result they tend to stay small in size due to lack of food source.

The list of panfish is comprised of many fishes each called by a variety of names. The bluegill tops the list and is the most common.

Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus

Check for California bluegill fishing articles in the articles section.

Crappie are also considered panfish. For details on crappie visit our crappie fishing section.

Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
World Record: 2.1 lbs.

Pumpkinseed Sunfish
Lepomis gibbosus
World Record: 1.4 lbs

Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
World Record: 5.4 lbs.

Tilapia
Oreochromis aurea
World Record: 4.4 lbs
Most tilapias are omnivorous with a preference for soft aquatic vegetation. They are typically found in warmer waters in the southern states, both east and west. Prefers water temperatures from 70 degrees and above, and has difficulty surviving water temperatures below 50 degrees. Tilapia are of similar size and shape to crappie. Fish for them like you might for bluegills using worms, crickets and dough balls on a size 12 hook.

Warmouth
Lepomis gulosus
World Record: 2.4 lbs

White Bass
Morone chrysops
World Record: 6.8 lbs.

For general information on local fishing visit the California Fishing home page.

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CA Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill & Other Panfish in California.

4 lbs - 12 oz

3 lbs - 8 oz

60 - 85 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current. Survives in most warm bodies of water.