Redear Sunfish
🔬 Lepomis microlophus
Also called "Shellcrackers" for their ability to crush snails and mollusks, Redear Sunfish are a popular panfish found in warm, weedy lakes throughout southern Michigan. They grow larger than Bluegill on average.
🎣 Plan Your Trip with Fishing Pro
Unlimited trip planning & stocking alerts · $4.99/mo · Cancel anytime
Bite this month
Fair
Best season
Late spring through summer
Regulations
limit 25 (combined sunfish)
Where to Catch Redear Sunfish in Michigan
Redear Sunfish Conservation Status
The daily bag limit is 25 (combined sunfish).
Redear Sunfish Habitat & Behavior
Warm, clear lakes and ponds with abundant aquatic vegetation. Prefer slightly deeper water than Bluegill, often found near bottom in 4–10 feet over sand or mud. DNR records show Redear Sunfish present in 302 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Oakland, Washtenaw and Hillsdale counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct.
Best Redear Sunfish Techniques
Small jigs or live bait fished on or near the bottom. Redears feed lower in the water column than most sunfish
Best Redear Sunfish Baits
Wax worms, red worms, small snails, crickets, tiny jigs
Redear Sunfish Fishing Regulations in Michigan
25 (combined sunfish)
Daily limit
50 (combined sunfish)
Possession limit
Year-round
Season
Counted in the combined sunfish limit on most waters.
⚠️ 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.
Michigan DNR Redear Sunfish Stocking Records
Redear Sunfish Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2024 | Lake Thirteen | 600 total | 2.8"–3.5" | |
| May 15, 2024 | stocking event | 200 | 3.5" | |
| Jun 15, 2019 | stocking event | 400 | 2.8" | |
| Oct 20, 2020 | Budd Lake Clare County | Clare | 3,900 total | 2.8"–4.5" |
| Oct 20, 2020 | stocking event | 1,000 | 4.5" | |
| Oct 12, 2018 | stocking event | 750 | 4.5" | |
| Oct 17, 2016 | stocking event | 1,000 | 2.8" | |
| Oct 24, 2014 | stocking event | 1,150 | 3.5" | |
| Nov 25, 2019 | Townline Lake Schoolcraft County | Schoolcraft | 4,172 total | 3.4"–5" |
| Nov 25, 2019 | stocking event | 190 | 5" | |
| Nov 1, 2018 | stocking event | 950 | 3.4" | |
| Nov 13, 2017 | stocking event | 611 | 5" | |
| Nov 1, 2016 | stocking event | 600 | 4.8" | |
| Nov 13, 2015 | stocking event | 650 | 4.2" | |
| Nov 5, 2014 | stocking event | 666 | 4" | |
| Dec 11, 2013 | stocking event | 505 | 3.6" | |
| Oct 28, 2018 | Sandy Bottom Lake | 735 | 3.9" | |
| Nov 29, 2017 | Barnes Lake | 600 total | 4.5" | |
| Nov 29, 2017 | stocking event | 300 | 4.5" | |
| Oct 27, 2014 | stocking event | 300 | 4.5" | |
| Oct 31, 2016 | Cedar Lake Leelanau County | Leelanau | 9,250 total | 3"–3.5" |
| Oct 31, 2016 | stocking event | 4,170 | 3.5" | |
| Oct 17, 2015 | stocking event | 2,580 | 3" | |
| Oct 16, 2014 | stocking event | 2,500 | 3.5" | |
| Oct 31, 2016 | Cedar Lake Lapeer County | Lapeer | 9,250 total | 3"–3.5" |
| Oct 31, 2016 | stocking event | 4,170 | 3.5" | |
| Oct 17, 2015 | stocking event | 2,580 | 3" | |
| Oct 16, 2014 | stocking event | 2,500 | 3.5" | |
| Oct 24, 2016 | Lake Isabella | 857 | 4" | |
| Nov 14, 2015 | Evans Lake | 200 | 5" | |
| May 14, 2014 | Earl Lake | 200 | 3" |
Showing the 25 most recent stocking events for Redear Sunfish, across 10 lakes. Lakes with several events can be expanded.
Redear Sunfish DNR Stocking History
Total stocked: 3,694,411
Stocking events: 278
Peak year: 1991 (782,526)
278
Historical stocking events
81
Lakes stocked
Sep
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Oct
Sep
Nov
Top Stocked Lakes
Townline Lake
Schoolcraft Co.
Cedar Lake
Lapeer Co.
Long Lake
Alpena Co.
Budd Lake
Clare Co.
Cedar Lake
Leelanau Co.
Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
Best Times to Fish Redear Sunfish
Angler Tips for Redear Sunfish
No tips yet for this species. Sign in to share tips and photos.
Be the first to share an angler tip
Sign in to share a tip