Get to know green sunfish: identifying features, habitat, food, and life cycle.
Identification & habitat
- Scientific name: Lepomis cyanellus.
- Mouth: Larger than bluegill's, reaching about the middle of the eye.
- Color: Blue-green sides, with blue cheek streaks.
- Pectoral fin: Rounded rather than long and pointed.
- Ear flap: Long and dark.
- Fins: Breeding fish can have pale or salmon-colored fin margins.
- Regional size: Often six to eight inches.
- Habitat: Ponds, lakes, and streams, including isolated backwaters.
- Hardiness: Can persist where summer pools become stagnant.
Food & behavior
- Activity: Mainly daylight.
- Food: Insects, crayfish, and small fish.
Spawning, growth & lifespan
- Spawning: Missouri begins around May above 70°F; can continue through August.
- Longevity: Can reach six years in the regional account.
Angling & the bigger picture
- Fishing: Worms, grubs, or grasshoppers beneath a float.
- Ecological role: May be the largest predator in some small streams.
Sources & further reading
Research checked October 18, 2026. Common sizes and ages are examples rather than hard limits. Missouri spawning dates are regional unless another location is named. Consult the current local fishing rules for the water you plan to fish.