Sunfish Fishing
in Nebraska for Bluegills, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish,
Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, Spotted Sunfish,
White Bass, White Perch, Yellow Bass, Yellow Perch and Other
NE Panfish.
One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water
streams, ponds and lakes throughout Nebraska 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 Nebraska
They are everywhere. And we mean everywhere. Find panfish in most
private ponds, rivers and lakes including Box Butte Reservoir,
Branched Oak Lake, Calamus Reservoir, Elwood Reservoir,
Enders
Reservoir,
Harlan
County
Lake,
Harry Strunk
Lake,
Lake McConaughy, Lake Minatare, Lewis And Clark Lake, Maloney Reservoir,
Merritt Reservoir, Red Willow Reservoir, Sherman Reservoir, Sutherland
Reservoir and Swanson Reservoir.
The Nebraska state record bluegill was taken out of Grove Lake,
the NE state record green sunfish, yellow perch and spotted sunfish
were all taken from a sandpit, a private pond was home to the
state
record
hybrid
sunfish,
the
Nebraska
state record pumpkinseed sunfish came from Box Butte Reservoir,
the state record redear sunfish came from Rock Creek Lake and the
NE stste record yellow perch was caught out of Hackberry Lake.
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 Nebraska 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.

Hybrid Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish
Lepomis gibbosus
World Record: 1.4 lbs

Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
World Record: 5.4 lbs.

Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
World Record: 3.0 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.
White Bass
Morone chrysops
World Record: 6.8 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 Bass
Morone mississippiensis
World Record: 4.2 lbs

Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
USA Record: 3.75 lbs

For general information on local fishing visit the
Nebraska
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.
NE Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill
& Other Panfish in Nebraska. |