Orangespotted Sunfish

Body Type & Identification: A very small, colorful sunfish — males display brilliant orange spots on the sides against a blue-green background with orange-red on the belly. One of the most vividly colored of all sunfish species. Distinguished by its tiny size and the distinct orange spotting pattern on the male's sides. A Midwest and Great Plains stream species.

Preferred Water Temperature: 65°F–80°F. Tolerates turbid, warm water and intermittent streams better than most sunfish. A heat and turbidity-tolerant sunfish of the Great Plains drainage. Spawn in late spring in small nests near cover.

Habitat: Small to medium streams, ponds, and rivers of the Mississippi drainage from the Great Lakes south through the Gulf states. Particularly common in Great Plains rivers and streams of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Tolerates poor water conditions including high turbidity and low oxygen.

Best Lures: Tiny jigs and micro soft plastics produce catches. Very small inline spinners work.

Best Baits: Tiny worm pieces on micro hooks. Small crickets work well. Wax worms are effective. Ultralight tackle with very small hooks — this is a small species. Fun target for micro-fishing enthusiasts.

Top 5 Destinations: Cimarron River OK/KS, Verdigris River KS/OK, Illinois River OK, Neosho River KS, Red River tributaries OK/TX.

A very small, colorful sunfish — males display brilliant orange spots on the sides against a blue-green background with orange-red on the belly. One of the most vividly colored of all sunfish species. Distinguished by its tiny size and the distinct orange spotting pattern on the male's sides. A Midwest and Great Plains stream species.

Small to medium streams, ponds, and rivers of the Mississippi drainage from the Great Lakes south through the Gulf states. Particularly common in Great Plains rivers and streams of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Tolerates poor water conditions including high turbidity and low oxygen.

65°F–80°F. Tolerates turbid, warm water and intermittent streams better than most sunfish. A heat and turbidity-tolerant sunfish of the Great Plains drainage. Spawn in late spring in small nests near cover.

Best Lures: Tiny jigs and micro soft plastics produce catches. Very small inline spinners work. Best Baits: Tiny worm pieces on micro hooks. Small crickets work well. Wax worms are effective. Ultralight tackle with very small hooks — this is a small species. Fun target for micro-fishing enthusiasts.

1 fishing location where you can catch Orangespotted Sunfish