Redbreast sunfish across North Carolina
Limits, records and where to find redbreast sunfish.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 2 lb, 1 ouncerecord
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Bclegg77, CC BY-SA 4.0
redbreast sunfish across North Carolina
Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) is a freshwater species in North Carolina. Under NCWRC rules (all public fishing waters except listed waters), the creel is no creel limit and the size rule is no size limit.
A 2 lb, 1 ounce fish from Lumber River in 2019 holds the state record. This site links it to 4 lakes and 7 streams.
NCWRC, per redbreast sunfish
“One of the brightest-colored sunfish, the redbreast has green-to yellow-brown sides with reddish spots and a reddish-orange belly. It has bluish streaks on its cheeks and around the eyes. The most distinguishing characteristic of this species is a long, narrow (no wider than the eye) extension of the gill cover. These flaps may exceed a length of 1 inch and are entirely black.”
“Redbreast sunfish inhabit freshwaters of eastern North America from southern Canada to Florida. They are found throughout North Carolina, in practically all water bodies with the exception of cold mountain waters. Their diet is probably the most varied of all the sunfishes. They eat bottom-dwelling insect larvae, snails, clams, shrimp, crayfish and small fish.”
- Fishing tipsRedbreast sunfish frequently concentrate around boulders, logs, aquatic vegetation or tree roots. They take any type of small natural bait, spinners, spoons, plugs, artificial flies and popping bugs. Use a lightweight line (under 4 lbs.), a thin, small bobber and small hooks. Unlike other sunfish, r
- Where to fishRedbreast sunfish are found in most of North Carolina’s major river systems with sparse populations found in the Chowan and Pasquotank rivers. As you move west across the state, populations increase until you get to the Little Ten-nessee, Savannah and Hiwassee rivers where the populations drop off o
- AbundanceCommon throughout NC.
Quoted from the NCWRC species profile, checked October 2026.
North Carolina harvest rules for redbreast sunfish
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWRC | All public fishing waters except listed waters | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| NCWRC | All public waters east of I-95 (except Tar River Reservoir) and listed eastern rivers | 30 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
redbreast sunfish in the state record book
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line by weight | 2 lb, 1 ounce | Lumber River | 2019 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Waters tied to redbreast sunfish
redbreast sunfish lakes
- Jordan Lake13,940 acres
- Falls Lake11,310 acres
- Tar River Reservoir1,000 acres
- Lake WaccamawColumbus
redbreast sunfish streams
- Neuse RiverJohnston
- Roanoke RiverBertie
- Cape Fear RiverBladen
- Tar RiverEdgecombe
- Lumber RiverRobeson
- Deep RiverRandolph
- Waccamaw RiverColumbus
NCWRC stocking lists, regulation tables, species profiles and records; largest waters first.
More redbreast sunfish neighbors
- Largemouth bassfresh
- Smallmouth bassfresh
- Spotted bassfresh
- Alabama bassfresh
- Bartram's bassfresh
- Black crappiefresh
- White crappiefresh
- Bluegillfresh
- Redear sunfishfresh
- Pumpkinseedfresh
- Green sunfishfresh
- Warmouthfresh
- Flierfresh
- Rock bassfresh
Quick facts on redbreast sunfish
What daily limit applies to redbreast sunfish?
no creel limit (All public fishing waters except listed waters), size no size limit.
Does North Carolina keep a record for redbreast sunfish?
2 lb, 1 ounce from Lumber River (2019).
Where do North Carolina anglers find redbreast sunfish?
11 waters on this site, including Jordan Lake, Falls Lake and Tar River Reservoir.
Are redbreast sunfish stocked in North Carolina?
The 2026 list does not include it.
How do I recognize redbreast sunfish?
Scientific name Lepomis auritus.
In which months may I keep redbreast sunfish?
No closed season
Do I need a CRFL for redbreast sunfish?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Which captains run trips for redbreast sunfish?
No operator names it; try the guides page.
Hunt for redbreast sunfish
Every water named here has a page with ramps and limits.