World Record ~  1 Lb. 6 oz. Caught in New York in 1985
Scientific name ~ Lepomis Gibbosus
Other names ~ Punkinseed, Yellow Sunfish, Common Sunfish, Round Sunfish, Bream, Sun Bass, Sunny, Speckled Perch
Identification ~  Part of the sunfish family, the Pumpkinseed Sunfish is a very deep-bodied, laterally compressed, almost disk-like fish. They're one of the most colorful fish found in inland waters, breeding males especially so. The Pumpkinseed Sunfish has a breast and belly that are orange to red-orange, and its back and sides are brown to olive. Its sides and back are speckled with orange, yellow, blue, and emerald spots. The Pumpkinseed Sunfish has a small mouth that does not extend under the pupils.
Size ~ Although Pumpkinseed Sunfish have been reported up to 12 inches in length and 2 pounds, most angler caught Pumpkinseed are from 4 to 6 inches long and under a pound.
Habitat ~ They seem to prefer weedy, warm water lakes and ponds, using weed patches, docks, and logs for cover and usually staying close to shore.
Feeding Habits ~ Pumpkinseed Sunfish diet includes such small prey as mollusks, small salamanders, crustaceans, dragonflies, mayfly, ants, snails, water beetles, midge larvae, and small fish.