Northern Longear Sunfish Fishing Guide
Other SpeciesDocumented in 68 graded lakes across 1 state
Rough fish like Northern Longear Sunfish are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 68 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Northern Longear Sunfish is narrowly distributed — only 68 lakes in Michigan have a documented record. The constraint is usually habitat: cold water, specific depth profile, or river connection.
Rough-fish-dominant lakes are worth checking the grade on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Northern Longear Sunfish lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Northern Longear Sunfish documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Northern Longear Sunfish Seasonal Forecast & Techniques
Part of the LakeQuality Fishing Forecast. Spawn trigger: Colonial bedders — fan spawning beds in warm shallow bays at 67–80°F, late spring into summer. Forage: Insects, larvae, zooplankton, small invertebrates. For a forecast tuned to a specific lake's measured clarity and depth, open that lake's forecast.
| Season | Where they hold | Structure & cover | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | shallow 1–6 ft | spawning beds in warm bays, near cover | small jigs, live worm/waxworm under a float |
| Summer | weed edges 5–15 ft | deeper weed edges by midsummer, docks, brush | ice-jigs tipped with plastics/live bait, small flies |
| Fall | mid 8–18 ft | deeper weedlines and basin edges | small jigs vertically, tiny spoons |
| Winter / Ice | 8–20 ft | basin holes and deep weed edges | tungsten ice jigs with waxworms/plastics |
Water Quality of Northern Longear Sunfish Lakes
Best Northern Longear Sunfish Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with northern longear sunfish ranked by overall water quality grade.
Showing top 50 of 68 lakes with northern longear sunfish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have northern longear sunfish?
Northern Longear Sunfish are found in 68 graded lakes: 68 in Michigan. The average water quality grade of lakes with northern longear sunfish is B (Good).
What are the best lakes for northern longear sunfish?
The best northern longear sunfish lakes by water quality are Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township, Corey Lake, Windover Lake, Whitefish Lake Southeast Basin; Pierson Township, Whitefish Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where northern longear sunfish have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with northern longear sunfish?
Northern Longear Sunfish are most commonly found alongside northern longear sunfish, bluntnose minnow, bluegill, yellow perch, largemouth bass. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.
Other Fish Species in Northern Longear Sunfish Lakes
Found together in 67 lakes · 171 total
Found together in 58 lakes · 1,692 total
Found together in 58 lakes · 1,769 total
Found together in 56 lakes · 2,637 total
Found together in 51 lakes · 109 total
Found together in 51 lakes · 116 total
Fish species from state agency survey, stocking, and public fishing-access records; water-quality grades from the EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys. Species profiles are general reference; always check current state regulations before fishing.