Sunfish Fishing in Oklahoma for Bluegills, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish, White Bass and Other OK Panfish.

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

You might be hard pressed to find fishing water in OK that does not have one or more species of panfish. All the major lakes including Broken Bow Reservoir, Canton Lake, Fort Gibson Reservoir, Grand Lake, Great Salt Plains Lake, Hugo Lake, Kaw Lake, Keystone Lake, Lake Carl Blackwell, Lake Eufaula, Lake Hudson, Lake Murray, Lake Texoma, Oologah Lake, Robert S Kerr Reservoir, Sardis Lake, Skiatook Reservoir, Tenkiller Lake, Waurika Lake and Webber Falls Reservoir have panfish.

Most ponds, rivers, parks and small lakes also contain some panfish. A private pond was home to the Oklahoma state record bluegill sunfish, green sunfish hybrid sunfish and redear sunfish. Lake Eufala gave up the OK state record white bass.

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 Oklahoma 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

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.

White Bass
Morone chrysops
World Record: 6.8 lbs.

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

OK Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill & Other Panfish in Oklahoma.

4 lbs - 12 oz

2 lbs - 6 oz

60 - 85 Degrees

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