Sunfish Fishing in New Mexico for Bluegills, Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, White Bass, Yellow Perch and Other NM Panfish.

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

It's been said 'they're everywhere'. And when it comes to sunfish, that's basically true. They populate ponds, rivers, parks, canals, small lakes and are a major part of the food chain in major lakes including Abiquiu Reservoir, Brantley Lake, Caballo Lake, Conchas Lake, Elephant Butte Reservoir, Navajo Lake, Red Bluff Reservoir, Santa Rosa Lake, Sumner Lake and Ute Lake.

The New Mexico state record bluegill sunfish was caught from Lovington Lake, the NM state record green sunfish and longear sunfish both came out of Elephant Butte Lake and the state record yellow perch was caught from Lake 13 (Maxwell).

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 New Mexico 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.

Longear Sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
World Record: 1.75 lbs.
Anglers love the longear sunfish for several reasons. They feed on the surface making them vulnerable to fly fishermen, they are easy for kids to catch on worms or cut baits and they make great bait for larger predator fish. The longear sunfis prefers water temperatures from 75 to 80 degreesand is sometimes called red-belly bream, red perch, blackear and red bream. Use ultralight tackle, they'll eat just about anything edible.

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 New Mexico 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.

NM Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill & Other Panfish in New Mexico.

4 lbs - 12 oz

3 lbs - 1 oz

60 - 85 Degrees

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