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.

0.25-0.5 lb, 5-8 inches

Typical size

2 lbs 2 oz

Michigan record

Spring, Summer

Best season

Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 2 lbs 2 oz ·Walter Howe ·Lake Michigan ·Ottawa County ·1972 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Green Sunfish

Jan

None

Feb

None

Mar

Fair

Apr

Good

May

Excellent

Jun

Excellent

Jul

Excellent

Aug

Excellent

Sep

Good

Oct

Fair

Nov

Fair

Dec

None

🛡 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

Daily limit

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.

🌊 Where to Catch Green Sunfish in Michigan

Lake	County	Population
Baseline Lake 377 acres	Livingston	Good
Big Blue Lake 620 acres	Muskegon	Good
Cass Lake 1,280 acres	Oakland	Good
Coldwater Lake 1,561 acres	Branch	Good
Fremont Lake 1,700 acres	Newaygo	Good
Gull Lake 2,030 acres	Kalamazoo	Good
Gun Lake 2,680 acres	Barry	Good
Gun Lake 665 acres	Allegan	Good
Houghton Lake 20,044 acres	Roscommon	Good
Lake Cadillac 1,141 acres	Wexford	Good
Lake Columbia 821 acres	Jackson	Good
Lake Fenton 937 acres	Genesee	Good
Lake Mitchell 2,580 acres	Wexford	Good
Lake Nepessing 952 acres	Lapeer	Good
Lake St. Helen 2,600 acres	Roscommon	Good
Magician Lake 755 acres	Cass	Good
Ore Lake 233 acres	Livingston	Good
Paw Paw Lake 1,000 acres	Van Buren	Good
Pontiac Lake 770 acres	Oakland	Good
Portage Lake 800 acres	Washtenaw	Good

Most valuable for Green Sunfish anglers

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Full stocking history across all 24 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.

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📋 Quick Green Sunfish Facts

Common name: Green Sunfish
Scientific name: Lepomis cyanellus
Typical size: 0.25-0.5 lb, 5-8 inches
Michigan record: 2 lbs 2 oz
Best season: Spring, Summer
Status: Native
Listed in: 24 Michigan lakes
Consumption: Safe to eat

🔗 Resources

🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🪪 Buy a Michigan Fishing License 🎣 Log a catch

💡 Angler Tips for Green Sunfish

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