Orangespotted Sunfish Species Breakdown
Scientific Name: Lepomis humilis
Also Known As: redspotted sunfish, dwarf sunfish, pygmy sunfish, and sunperch
Orangespotted sunfish are a freshwater fish in the sunfish family. They are omnivores that eat insects, zooplanton, small fish, crustaceans, caddisfly, mosquito larvae and other types of larvae.
How to Identify a Orangespotted Sunfish
Orangespotted sunfish have orange bellies and fins, a blue sheen on the side of their head, and silvery green sides with orange spots. They have red eyes and a black ear flap with a white margin.
Orangespotted Sunfish Size
Orangespotted sunfish can grow up to 6 inches long and can weigh up to half a pound. They average 3-4 inches long.
A trophy size orangespotted sunfish is 5 inches long or larger.
Orangespotted Sunfish Size Chart – Length to Weight Conversion
| Length | 0 | 1/8″ | 1/4″ | 3/8″ | 1/2″ | 5/8″ | 3/4″ | 7/8″ |
| 2″ | .26 oz | .29 oz | .35 oz | .39 oz | .43 oz | .54 oz | .54 oz | .60 oz |
| 3″ | .68 oz | .75 oz | .83 oz | .90 oz | .99 oz | 1.06 oz | 1.20 oz | 1.31 oz |
| 4″ | 1.41 oz | 1.52 oz | 1.64 oz | 1.81 oz | 1.95 oz | 2.09 oz | 2.24 oz | 2.40 oz |
| 5″ | 2.86 oz | 3.39 oz | 3.97 oz | 3.65 oz | 4.05 oz | 4.57 oz | 5.78 oz | 6.09 oz |
| 6″ | 6.8 oz | 7.57 oz | 7.83 oz | 8.11 oz | 8.46 oz | 8.75 oz | 9.05 oz | 8.35 oz |
Where Orangespotted Sunfish Are Found
Orangespotted sunfish are native to North America and are primarily found in Canada and middle to eastern parts of the US.
They inhabit sluggish backwaters, streams, lakes, rivers, ponds, oxbows, floodplain pools and sloughs.
These fish prefer shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms and are typically found in quiet, vegetated areas.
Lifespan of a Orangespotted Sunfish
The lifespan of an orangespotted sunfish is typically 3-5 years in the wild and up to 7 years in captivity. They take about 1 year to reach maturity.
You can tell the general age of a flier by referring to the table below.
Orangespotted Sunfish Age Chart
| Age | Length |
| 1 Year Old | 2 – 3 inches |
| 2 Years Old | 3 – 3.5 inches |
| 3 Years Old | 3.5 – 4 inches |
| 4 Years Old | 4 – 4.5 inches |
| 5 Years Old | 4.5 – 5 inches |
| 6 Years Old | 5 – 5.5 inches |
| 7 Years Old | 6 inches |
Fishing For Orangespotted Sunfish
Are Orangespotted Sunfish hard to catch?
Orangespotted sunfish are one of the easiest fish to catch. They can be found in shallow water near the bank and docks which makes them very easy to target. All you need to do is drop a small hook with bait on it in front of them.
What size hook do you use for orangespotted sunfish?
The #6 size Gamakatsu Octopus is the best hook for catching orangespotted sunfish.
What type of bait do you use for orangespotted sunfish?
They can be caught on crickets, grass shrimp, live worms and even canned corn.
If you are looking for something to keep in your tackle box then Berkley PowerBait is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are orangespotted sunfish good eating?
Orangespotted sunfish taste great but are very small so it is not recommended to prepare. Many choose not to eat them due to the amount of effort required to fillet them without the reward for a lot of meat. If you are willing to put the effort in they make great fish for a fish fry.
Is corn good for Orangespotted Sunfish?
Corn is one of the best baits to use when fishing for orangespotted sunfish. A corn kernel is the perfect size for their mouth and they absolutely love it. A can of corn is cheap and will last you an entire day of fishing.
Do orangespotted sunfish bite humans?
Orangespotted sunfish are not dangerous to humans. Their mouths are too small to bite humans and they are not poisonous or venomous.
Are orangespotted sunfish a carp?
Orangespotted sunfish are not carp. Orangespotted sunfish are members of the Centrarchidae family, while carp are members of the Cyprinidae family.
Are orangespotted sunfish a crappie?
Bluegill are not a crappie, although they are a part of the same Centrarchidae family. Orangespotted sunfish are in the Lepomis genus, while carp are members of the Pomoxis genus.
Are orangespotted sunfish related to bass?
Orangespotted sunfish are not related to bass, although they are a part of the same Centrarchidae family. Orangespotted sunfish are in the Lepomis genus , while bass are members of the Micropterus genus.
What fish will eat a orangespotted sunfish?
Large fish such as bass, muskie and walleye, in addition to turtles, snakes and wading birds.