Description
Non-native. Introduced in 1926. Large mouth with blue-green striations
on the cheeks. Opercle flap is black with reddish or orange border.
Body olive-green in color, dark vertical bars on sides. Pectoral fin
short and rounded. Caudal fin and lower fin margins are white or yellowish
with dusky spots at rear of dorsal and anal fins. Length: 3 to 12 inches.
Weight: 3 ounces to 1 pound 8 ounces.
Location and
Habitat
Found in most warm water lakes and streams in Arizona and even in a few
trout lakes in the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim. Prefer lakes with
rocky substrate and piles of rubble, but can be found around brushy banks
and cliffs.
Food
Green sunfish will eat anything they can catch and swallow. Insects, crayfish,
fish and frogs are all in danger when green sunfish are present.
Angling
Because of their highly predaceous and pugnacious nature they are one of
the easiest fish to catch. They are always hungry and readily bite on small
worms and insects.
Table
Quality
The meat is similar to bluegill, white, flaky and excellent tasting.
