Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
A small, brilliantly colored sunfish with orange spots and a red-tipped ear flap, common in weedy ponds and lake edges.
- Type
- Panfish
- Water
- Cool water
- Habitat
- Ponds, Lakes, Streams, Rivers
- Typical size
- 4 to 8 inches
- Range
- Native to eastern North America from the Maritimes and Great Lakes south along the Atlantic coast, and introduced in parts of the West and elsewhere.
- Best seasons
- Late spring through summer
How to identify it
- A bright red or orange spot sits on the rear tip of the black ear flap.
- Wavy blue-green lines cross the cheek and the sides of the head.
- The round, deep body carries orange spots and vertical bars.
- The belly and breast are orange to yellow.
Often confused with
- Bluegill: a solid dark ear flap with no red spot, and a dark spot at the rear base of the dorsal fin.
- Redear Sunfish: a red margin around the ear flap and no wavy cheek lines.
Best baits and lures
- Worms
- Small jigs
- Tiny flies
- Small pieces of nightcrawler
Techniques
- Fish a small worm under a bobber near weeds and docks
- Drift tiny jigs along weed lines
- Fish shallow bays in spring
- Use light line and a small hook
Fishing notes
Pumpkinseeds stay close to cover in shallow, weedy water, where they feed on insects, snails, and small crustaceans. They are easy to catch with the same simple setups as bluegills, and they make great fish for beginners.
Their color makes them one of the most striking freshwater fish, particularly breeding males in spring and early summer.
They are small but good eating, though the fillets are modest, so most anglers release them or keep them for a pan fry along with other panfish.
Related guides
Size limits, bag limits, legal baits, and seasons vary by state and waterbody and change over time. Check your state's current regulations — our state resources directory links straight to each state's official fishing rules and license portal.