• Characteristics - bluish green back and sides with white to light yellow belly; sides of the head mottled with emerald and yellow streaks; black ear flap has a whitish or yellowish margin; leading edges of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins typically whitish or yellow-orange
• Distribution - statewide in a variety of quiet waters
• Foods - aquatic insects, small fish, and crayfish
• State Record - 2 pound 1 ounce, farm pond, July 2000, Ralph Mayer, Knoxville
• Expert's Tip - Green sunfish are not selective feeders, then can be caught easily on most types of live bait as long as the hook is small enough to fit into their mouth!

For more green sunfish information, see our printable pdf (104K) or Iowa Fish & Fishing.