Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)

Description: Non-native. Introduced in 1926. Large mouth with blue-green striations on the cheeks. Opercle flap is black with reddish or orange border. Body olive-green in color, dark vertical bars on sides. Pectoral fin short and rounded. Caudal fin and lower fin margins are white or yellowish with dusky spots at rear of dorsal and anal fins. Length: 3 to 12 inches. Weight: 3 ounces to 1 pound 8 ounces. Location and Habitat: Found in most warm water lakes and streams in Arizona and even in a few trout lakes in the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim. Prefer lakes with rocky substrate and piles of rubble, but can be found around brushy banks and cliffs. Food: Green sunfish will eat anything they can catch and swallow. Insects, crayfish, fish and frogs are all in danger when green sunfish are present. Angling: Because of their highly predaceous and pugnacious nature they are one of the easiest fish to catch. They are always hungry and readily bite on small worms and insects. Table Quality: The meat is similar to bluegill, white, flaky and excellent tasting.