Sunfish vs Bluegill
Are sunfish and bluegill the same? Learn the differences between bluegill and other sunfish species.
Common Sunfish Species
| Species | Key Feature | Mouth Size | Avg Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Blue/purple gill flap, vertical bars | Small | 0.5-1 lb |
| Green Sunfish | Green coloration, larger mouth | Medium | 0.5-1 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | Orange spots, red gill flap | Small | 0.5-1 lb |
| Redear (Shellcracker) | Red gill flap, eats snails | Small | 0.5-2 lbs |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bluegill are a type of sunfish — all bluegill are sunfish, but not all sunfish are bluegill. Sunfish is a family that includes bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed, redear, and others. Bluegill are the most common and popular sunfish species for fishing.
Bluegill have a dark blue or purple gill flap (hence the name), vertical bars on their sides, and a small mouth. Green sunfish have a larger mouth and more green coloration. Pumpkinseed have orange spots and red-tipped gill flaps. Redear (shellcracker) have a red-tipped gill flap and eat snails.
Small jigs (1/32-1/16 oz), worms on small hooks (#6-#8), and small spinners work best. Sunfish have small mouths, so use small lures. Live bait (worms, crickets, wax worms) is very effective. Ultralight tackle with 2-4 lb line produces the most bites.