Longear Sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
A small, colorful sunfish species with distinctively long, dark ear flaps that extend well beyond the gill covers. Known for their bright orange and blue coloration during breeding season.
Longear Sunfish at a glance
- Scientific name
- Lepomis megalotis
- Typical size
- 3-5 inches, 0.1-0.3 lbs
- IGFA world record
- 2 lbs 8 oz
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
Found in clear, shallow waters of streams, ponds, and lakes with rocky or sandy bottoms and vegetation. Anglers typically catch them using small hooks with worms, crickets, or small jigs in shallow areas near cover. They are often caught incidentally while fishing for other panfish species.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a longear sunfish through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksLongear Sunfish questions people ask
Longear Sunfish is Lepomis megalotis.
A typical longear sunfish runs 3-5 inches, 0.1-0.3 lbs. The IGFA all tackle world record stands at 2 lbs 8 oz. Cobia records the length and weight of every longear sunfish you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Found in clear, shallow waters of streams, ponds, and lakes with rocky or sandy bottoms and vegetation. Anglers typically catch them using small hooks with worms, crickets, or small jigs in shallow areas near cover. They are often caught incidentally while fishing for other panfish species. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
The IGFA all tackle world record longear sunfish weighed 2 lbs 8 oz.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.