Common Freshwater Fish in New York Part 2

Bluegill

Grows 4-10 inches long. Colourful fish, often mistaken for pumpkinseed, but lacks orange/red spot on gill flap. Found in slow-moving or standing water with plenty of vegetation or other shelter. Eat mostly insects and crustaceans.

Pumpkinseed

Grows 4-8 inches long. Colourful warm water fish with a bright orange/red spot on the gill flap. Most abundant and widespread sunfish in New York occurs in shallow water in a variety of habitats from small lakes and ponds, to shallow, weedy bays of larger lakes and quiet waters of slow-moving streams. Eat wide array of prey such as insects, crustaceans and small fish.

Redbreast Sunfish

Grows 4-8 inches long. Gets its name from the bright yellow to orange-red breast. Differs from pumpkinseed by its long, narrow black gill cover. Confined to eastern portion of the state. Inhabits lakes and ponds, but prefers clear, slow-moving streams with sandy or rocky bottoms. Eat mostly insects and

crustaceans, plus some small fish.