Sunfish Fishing in Virginia for Bluegills, Rock Bass, White Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch and Other VA Panfish.

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

Almost everywhere you drop a small, baited hook you can expect to see small sunfish comin for dinner. Ponds, rivers, parks, small lakes as well as major lakes like Claytor Lake, Diascund Creek Reservoir, Kerr Lake, Lake Anna, Lake Chesdin, Lake Drummond, Lake Gaston, Lake Moomaw, Leesville Reservoir, Philpott Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, South Holston Lake, Swift Creek Reservoir and Western Branch Reservoir have populations of one or more panfish.

The Virginia state record private pond was caught from a private pond and the VA state record yellow perch was taken out of Lake Moomaw. Lake Prince produced the VA state record white perch.

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 Virginia 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 Virginia Fishing home page.

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VA Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill & Other Panfish in Virginia.

4 lbs - 12 oz

Unknown

60 - 85 Degrees

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