Sunfish

The sunfish family (Centrarchidae) is large and includes crappie and bass, but the word “sunfish” generally refers to bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and red ear or shellcracker (Lepomis microlophus). Both bluegill and red ear are popular sport fishes, and both are farm-raised to stock recreational fisheries. There are many regional and colloquial names for sunfish, including papermouth, silversides, calico bass, white perch, speck, speckled perch, slab, and among Cajuns sac-a-lait (“bag of milk”), which describes the white flesh. Sunfish also include pumpkinseeds (Lepomis gibbosus) and long-eared sunfish (Lepomis megalotis). The sunfish is widely distributed, being found in lakes all over America. Bluegill is a favorite for sport fishers and is a good panfish. Pumpkinseed also is regarded as a good sport fish, but it is generally too small for use as food. To be useful as panfish, sunfish have to weigh two pounds or less. The meat can be fried, baked, or broiled.