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.
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Bite this month
Good
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 308 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
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| Oct 31, 2016 | Cedar Lake | Leelanau | 4,170 | 3.5" |
| Oct 24, 2016 | Lake Isabella | 857 | 4.0" | |
| Oct 17, 2016 | Budd Lake | Clare | 1,000 | 2.8" |
| Oct 17, 2016 | Budd Lake | Clare | 1,000 | 2.8" |
| Nov 14, 2015 | Evans Lake | 200 | 5.0" | |
| Nov 13, 2015 | Townline Lake | Schoolcraft | 650 | 4.2" |
| Oct 17, 2015 | Cedar Lake | Leelanau | 2,580 | 3.0" |
| Oct 17, 2015 | Cedar Lake | Lapeer | 2,580 | 3.0" |
| Nov 5, 2014 | Townline Lake | Schoolcraft | 666 | 4.0" |
| Oct 27, 2014 | Barnes Lake | 300 | 4.5" | |
| Oct 24, 2014 | Budd Lake | Clare | 1,150 | 3.5" |
| Oct 24, 2014 | Budd Lake | Clare | 1,150 | 3.5" |
Most valuable for Redear Sunfish anglers
See where Redear Sunfish will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 82 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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283
Historical stocking events
82
Lakes stocked
Oct
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Oct
Sep
Nov
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Redear Sunfish next season.
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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
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