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.

4 lbs - 12 oz

2 lbs - 13 oz

60 - 85 Degrees

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