Sunfish Fishing in Georgia for Bluegills, Flier Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish, Warmouth, White Bass, Yellow Perch and Other GA Panfish.

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

Georgia is a virtual fish factory. Panfish like most species flourish in the warm waters with long growing seasons. All major lakes including Lake Allatoona, Banks Lake, Blue Ridge Lake, Carters Lake, Chatuge Lake, Hartwell Lake, J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Lake Blackshear, Lake Jackson, Lake Seminole, Lake Sidney Lanier, Nottely Lake, Oconee Lake, Richard B Russell Lake, Walter F George - Eufaula and West Point Lake have a population of panfish.

The state record bluegill was caught in Shamrock Lake while green, redbreast, redear and flier sunfish records were all caught in private ponds. Lake Burton yielded the state record yellow perch.

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 Georgia bluegill fishing articles in the articles section.

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

Flier Sunfish
Centrarchus macropterus
World Record: 1.25 lbs

Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
World Record: 2.1 lbs.

Redbreast Sunfish
Lepomis auritus
World Record: 1.7 lbs.
The males are quite colorful with red, orange or yellow breasts with dark green upper bodies. Females are colored the same but in drab shades of the same colors. They prefers water temperatures ranging from 76 to 84 degrees. Redear sunfish are also commonly called longear bream, redbreasted bream and yellowbreast bream. Worms, larve, crickets, insects, cut bait and prepared bait all work well on small hooks and light line.

Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
World Record: 5.4 lbs.

Spotted Sunfish
Lepomis punctatus
Green on the top and often reddish to brown on the lower sides, they have a dark or black ear covering which looks like a black spot. The spotted sunfish naturally inhabits streams, creeks and rivers. They prefer areas with gravel or sand and plenty of vegetation. Their favorite foods include invertebrates, insects and small fishes but will feed on virtually anything edible including plants. They will also rise to feed on the sirface. The spotted sunfish prefers water temperatures from 70 to 89 degrees. They are small but quite good eating. Fish for them with ultra-light tackle using virtually anything edible as bait on very small hooks.

Warmouth
Lepomis gulosus
World Record: 2.4 lbs

White Bass
Morone chrysops
World Record: 6.8 lbs.

Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
USA Record: 3.75 lbs

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

If you have information, articles or photos relating to panfish which you would like to see published here, please submit them for consideration. We will gladly give you credit for your contribution.

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GA Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill & Other Panfish in Georgia.

4 lbs - 12 oz

3 lbs - 5 oz

60 - 85 Degrees

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