Sunfish Fishing
in Pennsylvania for Bluegills, Rock Bass, White Bass, White
Perch, Yellow Perch and Other PA Panfish.
One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water
streams, ponds and lakes throughout Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Panfish are everywhere. Everywhere!. Major PA lakes with healthy
populations of sunfish include Allegheny Reservoir, Blue Marsh
Lake, Glendale Lake, High Point Reservoir,
Lake Arthur,
Lake
Erie,
Lake
Wallenpaupack,
Pymatuning
Lake, Raystown Lake, Shenango River Lake, Tamarack Lake and Youghiogheny
River Lake. In addition you can fisn panfish in many ponds, rivers
and smaller lakes throughout the state.
The PA state record Bluegill was caught out of Keystone Lake
and Elk Creek gave up the Pennsylvania state record rock bass.
Minsi Lake produced the state record white perch and the PA state
record yellow perch came from Hunters 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 Pennsylvania bluegill fishing
articles in the articles section.
Crappie are also considered panfish. For details on crappie visit
our crappie
fishing section.
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
Pennsylvania
Fishing home page.
PA Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill
& Other Panfish in Pennsylvania. |