Nests may be solitary or built in groups of more than 80 nests. 2009. South Carolina State Record: 2 pounds (1975). Identification: The redbreast sunfish is very deep-bodied and strongly compressed laterally.The opercle, or gill cover, is long and black with no colored border. They prefer the deeper sections of streams and vegetated lake margins. Redbreast sunfish spawn during late May through the end of July when water temperatures are from 65 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A great eating and hard fighting fish for its Sunfish pan size Male fans out a nest in coarse sand or gravel near shore in 1 to 4 ft. of quiet water. The redbreast sunfish is laterally compressed or flattened like other sunfishes; however, it has a more elongated body than other sunfishes. It prefers the same habitat as Smallmouth Bass and Rock Bass, and is often found in the larger rivers with them, but frequents the shallower water. Freshwater Fishes of South Carolina. Range: Redbreast are found statewide, even in the smallest foothill streams. Males construct large saucer-shaped nests typically in shallow waters on sand or gravel substrates. Redbreasts are prized game fish and are caught on natural baits and artificial lures. © 2015 All rights reserved. Habitat. The operculum or gill cover has a distinguishing long black lobe. Like other sunfish the males are more brightly colored especially during the spawning season. Bait -- Minnows, crayfish, grubs, nightcrawlers, hellgrammites, on a light wire hook-drifted along bottom. Traces of these spots can sometimes be seen tapering on the edge of the tail or caudal fin where the body connects. Native Range Occurs only in Eastern North America. collect. Teeth are present on the roof of the mouth. Redbreast reach six inches in about two to three years. Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus) General Information Differentiated from the bluegill and pumpkinseed by its long opercular flap and bright red breast, the redbreast sunfish is found throughout the state amid a vast array of environmental conditions. Habitat requirements and life history: Other common names for this fish include: redbelly, robin, yellowbelly sunfish, bream, river bream, sun perch and redbreast bream. Description: (Anatomy of a Fish) Biology Redbreast sunfish spawn in the spring when water temperatures approach 20oC. The sunfish can be up to 12 inches tall and weigh as much as 2 pounds, making them a great addition to a fishery. In winter, redbreast sunfish congregate in deeper waters and remain inactive under the ice until spring. The redbreast's body is a bluish-green that fades into a bright orange-yellow belly in females and a deep orange-red belly in males. The redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (family Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes.The type species of its genus, it is native to the river systems of eastern Canada and the United States.The redbreast sunfish reaches a maximum recorded length of about 30 cm (12 in), with a maximum recorded weight of 790 g (1.7 lb). HOW. Redbreast sunfish prefer sandy or rocky areas, especially where sand and rocks are found along with woody cover such as tree roots or undercut banks. The popularity afforded to South Carolina's low country blackwater rivers can be attributed to the redbreast sunfish fishery they support. Scientific Name: Lepomis auritus. Use a lightweight line (under 4 lbs. They prefer areas with a sandy bottom and generally avoid areas that are stagnant or heavily vegetated. Redbreast Sunfish Management and Fishing in Pennsylvania CAUGHT IN PA Young angler with an exceptional Redbreast Sunfish that she caught while participating in a SMART angler program held along Neshaminy Creek in Tyler State Park Principal food organisms are bottom-dwelling insect larvae, snails, clams, shrimp, crayfish, and small fish. Redear sunfish lifespan The redear sunfish lifespan is 6 years on an average. ), a thin, small bobber and small hooks. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - Rembert C. Dennis Building It can tolerate silted, turbid water. Redbreast Sunfish are the most sensitive of the sunfishes to human impact. How to identify a Redbreast Sunfish . Common Name: Redbreast Sunfish. The all-tackle world record is a 1-pound 12-ounce fish from Florida in 1984. Compared to some sunfish, redbreasts grow slowly. redbreast sunfish is considered by many investigators to be predominantly a stream-dwellingspecies, but it can successfully establish populations in lacustrine and palustrine (river-swamp)environments. Redbreast sunfish inhabit rocky and sandy pools of creeks and small to medium rivers. Late April and early May. Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus underwater sunfish panfish freshwater stream habitat Isaac Szabo Florida Springs. They prefer slow to moderate flowing sections of medium to larger sized rivers, where they take advantage of fallen trees, overhanging shrubs, or large boulders for cover. Habitat: Unlike the other sunfish species found in New Hampshire, redbreast sunfish are less dependent on aquatic vegetation as habitat. It is associated with freshwater habitat. This species is found in rocky and sandy pools of creeks and small to medium rivers. Redbreast sun fish exploit a variety of ecological conditions and habitats from sea level to at least 1,345meterselevation Our collection of two brightly colored, gravid specimens in Halawakee Creek, Lee County, on 7 May 1993 indicates a slightly earlier spawning season in Alabama. Common in rivers of north Florida, but absent from south Florida. Typically found in cool water rivers and streams it was also found in some ponds, lakes and marshes. The type species of its genus, it is native to the river systems of eastern Canada and the United States. RANGE, HABITAT, BEHAVIOR, AND DIET The native range for redbreast sunfish is the eastern US from Maine to Central Florida. In adult males of this species the lobe is actually longer than in the longear sunfish. Spawning Habits. Weight with a few split shot Lures -- Small spinners & twisters Lure Color -- Black, brown and green Line -- 4-8 lb. REDBREAST SUNFISH & ROCK BASS FISHING TIPS WHERE. Not listed in legal texts Common names and synonyms. Redbellies often can be found in backwater areas with less flow, especially where there are sandy bottoms. HABITAT AND BIOLOGY: Redbreast sunfish occur in a wide variety of habitats, from small streams to large rivers and reservoirs. Some species of fish that are commonly mistaken for this species: Rohde, Fred C, Arndt, Rudolf G., Foltz, Jeffery W., Quattro, Joseph M. 2009. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, South Carolina. The EU Habitats Directive does not cover this species. Common in rivers of north Florida, but absent from south Florida. Testing out my gopro and catching redbreast at Blackwater creek. Copyright 1999 - 2020 State of Florida. Lake, Pond. They are sensitive to pH imbalances and habitat degradation such as bank clearing and removal of stream debris, which they use for protection from predators. This summary represent collection records only and may not reflect the actual distribution of established populations. Male guards the nest and keeps eggs âdustedâ of silt until they hatch. Habitat. There appears to be little in the literature to identify redbreast sunfish habitat in more than a generalized manner. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. It is considered to be a locally common species. The redbreast sunfish feeds predominantly on aquatic and terrestrial insects, crayfish, mollusks and other fish. Redbreast sunfish grow at a slow rate and may reach lengths of 6 to 8 inches, though they can attain 11 to 12 inches and weigh about a pound. A very long black ear flap distinguishes this fish from other Florida bream. That's why they are often called "river bream". The redbreast sunfish can be found areas with slow-moving or sluggish water such as pools and backwaters of streams and rivers and upstream reaches of reservoirs. Type of Water: The Redbreast Sunfish lives in a variety of habitats, from small creeks to big rivers and reservoirs. Preferred Habitat. The Redbreast Sunfish's original range was coastal plain rivers and streams throughout eastern North America into Canada. Common in rivers of north Florida, but absent from south Florida. Large rivers and streams it was also found in cool water rivers and.! Restructure to the redbreast sunfish is a 1-pound 12-ounce fish from Florida in the U. S. and Canada including! Colored especially during the spawning season suggests that they may also be found in areas with less flow, where... Spring when water temperatures approach 20oC male fans out a nest in coarse sand or gravel shore. Rows of red-brown to orange spots on the edge of the sunfishes and vegetated margins of and! Under the ice until spring of quiet water vegetated lake margins over a variety substrates... The literature to identify redbreast sunfish is a native sunfish that prefers,. 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