Other members of the Sunfish family

By Al Lowe
Contributor

We are usually more concerned with the basses then we are with other members of the Sunfish Family. Here in Northwestern Ontario, we do have some of the others, and they make up a part of our fishing heritage.
The Pumpkinseed. This is the common sunfish to most people. It has a deep body, and seems to be sort of squeezed in at the sides. Somebody must have thought that its shape was like that of a squash or pumpkin seed.
The colour of this fish is rather bizarre. Back is generally greenish with some blue shading, with orange shading on the sides. Cheeks and gill covers have many bright blue streaks, as does the belly. There is a scarlet spot at the end of the gill cover, and that is a distinguishing mark.
Pumpkinseeds are found in most of eastern North America, and are very plentiful in most of Northwestern Ontario. Eggs and young are cared for by the males. They are so prolific that, in smaller lakes, they became so crowded that they only grow to about half the normal size. For this fish (Lepomis gibbosus) that is usually about 10 inches long and 3/4 of a pound in weight.
The Bluegill - This is the largest of what we commonly call sunfish. Although it is not really popular in Canada, it is highly prized in the U.S. as the best panfish.
It, too, has that characteristic flattened shape. Colour varies a lot, but it is usually quite bluish on the back, lighter on the sides. Gill covers are usually quite bright blue (hence the names).
Bluegills (Lepomis macrochhirus) ar quite common in the east, and also in the Quetico-Rainy River system. Of moderate size, they average about 8 to 10 inches, with some about a foot. The record is 15 inches long, and almost 5 pounds, caught in Alabama.
Black Crappie - Another deep-bodied fish, and an excellent panfish. Sides are silvery, with many dark blotches. Back is quite dark or even black. Its mouth sticks out, and its forehead is dished in.
It is found in the east of the continent, through much of Northwestern Ontario and into Manitoba. Normally, it is about a foot long and a pound in weight. Crappies up to two pounds, however, are not that uncommon. The record is 5 pounds, taken in S. Carolina.
The Black Crappie (Promoxis nigromaculatus) is another very prolific fish. It is harvested in enormous quantities, both for sport and for market. It is very good to eat. Since it usually travels on large schools, you may get quite a few in one location.
So those are our other members of the Sunfish Family, besides the three basses. They are fairly easily caught, they are all tasty, and they all have some commercial and sporting value. To us here in the north, they are almost exclusively a sporting encounter. All kinds of fishing has some value to the tourist industry.