Redear sunfish across North Carolina
Finding and keeping redear sunfish, by North Carolina rules.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 4 lbs, 15 ozrecord
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Where redear sunfish fit in North Carolina
Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) lives in North Carolina’s freshwater habitat. NCWRC sets a creel of no creel limit with no size limit where all public fishing waters except listed waters.
The state record is 4 lbs, 15 oz, taken at Edgecombe County in 2008. Look for it on 5 lakes and 7 streams listed here.
How NCWRC describes redear sunfish
“The Redear Sunfish is a deep, slab-sided fish with pointed pectoral (side) fins. Its most distinguishing feature is a red or orange edge along the ear flap. With light green-to-gold sides speckled with red or orange flecks, the redear has a yellowish-orange belly. Unlike redbreast or pumpkinseed sunfish, the Redear Sunfish does not have blue lines on its cheeks. The Redear Sunfish grows faster and larger than other sunfish, often reaching 2 pounds with 1-plus pound fish common.”
“Redear Sunfish are native to the middle and lower Mississippi River Basin and the Atlantic slope from the central Carolinas to Florida. Redears are found throughout North Carolina, except for cold mountain waters. They are opportunistic feeders, but forage mostly on aquatic clams and snails. Snails and clams are crushed by grinding teeth in the redear’s throat, hence their nickname “shellcracker.” Redears also feed on midge larvae, mayfly and dragonfly nymphs, fish eggs and crayfish.”
- Fishing tipsRedears rarely approach the surface to take flies or other artificial top baits. They are captured with natural bait, such as earthworms and grubs. They are caught most easily in early spring when they are concentrated on spawning beds. During this time, anglers should use natural baits, along with
- Where to fishQuality Redear Sunfish are found throughout North Carolina’s coastal rivers. In the northeastern Coastal Plain, the Roanoke, Chowan and Meherrin rivers contain 2-pound fish in many locations. In areas in the central Coastal Plain, such as the Tar River from Rocky Mount to Grimesland, trophy-sized re
- AbundanceCommon throughout NC.
Quoted from the NCWRC species profile, checked October 2026.
Creel limits for redear 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.
North Carolina record redear sunfish
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line by weight | 4 lbs, 15 oz | Edgecombe County | 2008 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Where NCWRC records place redear sunfish
Reservoirs for redear sunfish
- Jordan Lake13,940 acres
- Falls Lake11,310 acres
- Lake Tillery5,260 acres
- Tar River Reservoir1,000 acres
- Lake WaccamawColumbus
Creeks and rivers for redear sunfish
- 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.
Species that pair with redear sunfish
- Largemouth bassfresh
- Smallmouth bassfresh
- Spotted bassfresh
- Alabama bassfresh
- Bartram's bassfresh
- Black crappiefresh
- White crappiefresh
- Bluegillfresh
- Redbreast sunfishfresh
- Pumpkinseedfresh
- Green sunfishfresh
- Warmouthfresh
- Flierfresh
- Rock bassfresh
Places to fish near Redear sunfish, pictured
Photo: Indy beetle, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Dacoslett, Public domain
Photo: Townofduck, Public domain
Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
Worth knowing about redear sunfish
Which rules govern keeping redear sunfish?
no creel limit (All public fishing waters except listed waters), size no size limit.
Which water gave up the record redear sunfish?
4 lbs, 15 oz from Edgecombe County (2008).
Which waters produce redear sunfish?
12 waters on this site, including Jordan Lake, Falls Lake and Lake Tillery.
Does NCWRC stock redear sunfish?
Not on this year’s list.
How do I tell redear sunfish apart?
Scientific name Lepomis microlophus.
Can redear sunfish be kept this month?
No closed season
What license do redear sunfish anglers buy?
Inland waters take an NCWRC inland fishing license from age 16 ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Which captains list redear sunfish?
None list it by name; see the guides page.
Seek out redear sunfish
Pick a water from the lists on this page.