Green Sunfish Native
🔬 Lepomis cyanellus
A chunky, large-mouthed sunfish with blue-green iridescent coloration and orange-tipped fins. Much larger mouth than bluegill or pumpkinseed relative to body size. Aggressive and willing to hit a lure even in poor conditions. Often hybridizes with bluegill and pumpkinseed producing "hybrid sunfish." Great first-fish for young anglers.
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Bite this month
Good
Best season
Spring, Summer
Regulations
limit 25
Where to Catch Green Sunfish in Michigan
| Lake | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
|
Baseline Lake
377 acres
|
Livingston | |
|
Big Blue Lake
620 acres
|
Muskegon | |
|
Cass Lake
1,280 acres
|
Oakland | |
|
Coldwater Lake
1,561 acres
|
Branch | |
|
Fremont Lake
1,700 acres
|
Newaygo | |
|
Gull Lake
2,030 acres
|
Kalamazoo | |
|
Gun Lake
2,680 acres
|
Barry | |
|
Gun Lake
665 acres
|
Allegan | |
|
Houghton Lake
20,044 acres
|
Roscommon | |
|
Lake Cadillac
1,141 acres
|
Wexford | |
|
Lake Columbia
821 acres
|
Jackson | |
|
Lake Fenton
937 acres
|
Genesee | |
|
Lake Mitchell
2,580 acres
|
Wexford | |
|
Lake Nepessing
952 acres
|
Lapeer | |
|
Lake St. Helen
2,600 acres
|
Roscommon | |
|
Magician Lake
755 acres
|
Cass | |
|
Ore Lake
233 acres
|
Livingston | |
|
Paw Paw Lake
1,000 acres
|
Van Buren | |
|
Pontiac Lake
770 acres
|
Oakland | |
|
Portage Lake
800 acres
|
Washtenaw |
Green Sunfish Conservation Status
Native Green Sunfish is native to Michigan waters. Abundant statewide. No conservation concerns. Often overlooked but surprisingly aggressive sport fish. The daily bag limit is 25.
Green Sunfish Habitat & Behavior
Ponds, lakes, and streams statewide. Michigan's most pollution-tolerant sunfish -- often the first fish to recolonize degraded streams. Common in park lagoons, drainage ditches, farm ponds, and the shallows of most Michigan lakes. DNR records show Green Sunfish present in 24 Michigan water bodies. Bite activity rates Good or better in Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep.
Best Green Sunfish Techniques
Small spinners, inline buzzbaits, tiny poppers, worms under a bobber, and small jigs. Will hit nearly any lure presented in the right size.
Best Green Sunfish Baits
Wax worms, small jigs, tiny spinners, red worms, crickets
Green Sunfish Fishing Regulations in Michigan
25
Daily limit
50
Possession limit
Year-round
Season
Counted in combined sunfish limit. Smaller and less desirable than Bluegill. Common in warm, tolerant habitats.
⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually.
Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.
Best Times to Fish Green Sunfish
Angler Tips for Green Sunfish
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