Sunfish Fishing in Connecticut for Bluegill and Other CT Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Connecticut 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.

Sunfish Lakes In Connecticut

You'll find populations of sunfish and bluegills in most lakes in CT including Amos Lake, Bantam Lake, Barkhamsted Lake, Bashan Lake, Beach Pond, Beseck Lake, Black Pond, Candlewood Lake, Cedar Lake, Colebrook Impoundment, Gardner Lake, Green Falls Reservoir, Highland Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Lower Bolton Lake, Mansfield Hollow Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Moodus Reservoir, Mudge Pond, Pachaug Pond, Pine Acres Lake, Quinebaug Pond, Rogers Lake, Lake Saltonstall, Saugatuck Reservoir, Squantz Pond, Tyler Lake, Waramaug Lake, Washinee Lake - West Twin, Washining Lake - East Twin, West Hill Pond, West Thompson Lake, Winchester Lake, Wononscopomuc Lake and Lake Zoar.

The Connecticut state record bluegill sunfish was caught from a private pond. Lake Marie boasts the state record pumpkinseed sunfish. The CT state record white perch came out of Candlewood Lake and the state record yellow perch was caught from Black Pond.

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 Connecticut bluegill fishing articles in the articles section.

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

Pumpkinseed Sunfish
Lepomis gibbosus
World Record: 1.4 lbs

Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
World Record: 3.0 lbs.

White Perch
Morone americana
USA Record: 4.6 lbs
The white perch is named for its color which ig generally white or silver with shades of adaptive color from its environment to help it hide from predators. They are a good tasting fish and are even fished commercially. They are quite prolific and can be considered a nuisance in some waters. They prefer water temperatures from 62 to 70 degrees. Also known as perch, silver perch, perch and grey perch. White perch make a great fish fry with nice filets coming from ones approaching a pound. Use light tackle to fish for white perch. For bait, use worms, minnows, jigs, spoons and small lures imitating baitfish.

Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
USA Record: 3.75 lbs

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

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CT Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill & Other Panfish in Connecticut.

4 lbs - 12 oz

2 lbs - 4 oz

60 - 85 Degrees

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