Sunfish Fishing in New York for Bluegills, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch and Other NY Panfish.

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

Panfish are in most fishing waters in NY, particularly the warmer waters. They are a part of the food source for predator fish like bass and walleye. You can find panfish in ponds, rivers, lakes and streams.

Allegheny Reservoir, Ashokan Reservoir, Black Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Canandaigua Lake, Cannonsville Reservoir, Carry Falls Reservoir, Cayuga Lake, Chautauqua Lake, Conesus Lake, Cranberry Lake, Great Sacandaga Lake, Indian Lake, Keuka Lake, Lake Champlain, Lake Erie, Lake George, Lake Ontario, Lake Placid, Long Lake, Lows Lake - Bog River Flow, Oneida Lake, Otsego Lake, Owasco Lake, Pepacton Reservoir, Piseco Lake, Raquette Lake, Saratoga Lake, Seneca Lake, Schroon Lake, Skaneateles Lake, Tupper Lake, Union Falls Pond and Upper Saranac Lake all have populations of panfish.

The New York state record bluegill came from Kohlbach Pond. Oscaleta Lake produced the state record white perch and Indian Lake delivered the NY state record pumpkinseed sunfish. The NY state record yellow perch came from Lake Erie.

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 York 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 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 Perch
Perca flavescens
USA Record: 3.75 lbs

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

NY Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill & Other Panfish in New York.

4 lbs - 12 oz

2 lbs - 8 oz

60 - 85 Degrees

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