• Characteristics - large mouth that extends to front of eye when closed; spiny dorsal fin with 10 spines, directly connected to soft part of fin; long gill flap with vivid orange spots on the side; medium gill raker length; sides olive colored with fine golden or emerald dots
• Distribution - statewide
• Foods - aquatic insects, crustaceans, and occasionally other small fish
• State Record - none

For more orangespot sunfish information, see our printable pdf (104K) or Iowa Fish & Fishing.