05.07.2014 Views

SPORT FISH OF OHIO identification

SPORT FISH OF OHIO identification

SPORT FISH OF OHIO identification

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

l o n g e a r<br />

s u n f i s h<br />

Lepomis megalotis<br />

16<br />

IDENTIFICATION: Back is olive-green with bluegreen<br />

specks on sides; belly is orange or yellow. Ear<br />

flaps are longer than those of other sunfish, and are<br />

black, occasionally with a white border.<br />

<strong>FISH</strong>ING TIPS: Due to their small size, few anglers<br />

pursue longear sunfish and most that are caught are<br />

accidental. Small hooks baited with red worms or wax<br />

worms are effective.<br />

ADULT SIZE: Longear grow slowly and can take up to<br />

three years to reach 4 inches in length. Seldom exceeds<br />

6 inches<br />

FOOD: Insects and insect larvae<br />

SPAWNING: Similar to other sunfish; eggs laid in a<br />

shallow nest near shore. Spawning begins when water<br />

temperature reaches 68-78°F. Males select a spawning<br />

site where the females lay up to 22,000 eggs in a single<br />

nest. Males remain with the nest to guard the eggs until<br />

hatching.<br />

RANGE AND HABITAT: Clear streams and lakes<br />

throughout Ohio; common in the Scioto River drainage.<br />

Prefer sluggish clear streams of moderate size with<br />

beds of aquatic vegetation.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!