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TextSunfish - Family Centrarchidae
BLACK CRAPPIE - Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Fish Notes
The black crappie is a member of the sunfish family and one of the most popular sunfish to catch by fisherman. Black crappies are generally found in lakes, ponds and slow moving large rivers. Specimens found in county streams are most likely individuals that were dislodged from ponds and lakes by heavy rains. The black crappie was found at two percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Unknown, as it has been widely introduced
Size: 12 inches, rarely to 17 inches
Diet: Primarily fish as adults, invertebrates and fish as juveniles
BLUESPOTTED SUNFISH - Enneacanthus gloriosus
Fish Notes
The bluespotted sunfish is rare in Fairfax County with only one juvenile specimen collected in the tidal portion of Dogue Creek.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 3 to 4 inches
Diet: Insects and other small invertebrates
BLUEGILL - Lepomis macrochirus
Fish Notes
With its tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions, the bluegill has become the most common sunfish in Fairfax County. The bluegill were found at 71 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: No
Size: 10 inches, rarely to 12 inches
Diet: Small aquatic and terrestrial insects
GREEN SUNFISH - Lepomis cyanellus
Fish Notes
The green sunfish is tolerant of environmental disturbances but is intolerant of low pH. This sunfish has a large mouth compared to other sunfish and feeds mostly on aquatic and terrestrial insects. The green sunfish was found at 61 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: No
Size: 7 inches, rarely to 10 inches
Diet: Primarily aquatic and terrestrial insects, but will eat small fish
LARGEMOUTH BASS - Micropterus salmoides
Fish Notes
The largemouth bass is one of the most popular sporting fish in the country. This species is not native to our area and has been introduced to most of the continental U.S. The Virginia state record is 16 pounds, 4 ounces. The largemouth bass was found at 50 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: No
Size: 18 inches, rarely to 26 inches
Diet: Insects, fish, crayfish and frogs
LONGEAR SUNFISH - Lepomis megalotis
Fish Notes
The longear sunfish is native to the southwestern portion of Virginia and has been introduced to our area. It is a brilliantly colored fish during the breeding season. The longear sunfish was found at two percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: No
Size: 6 inches, rarely to 9 inches
Diet: Aquatic and terrestrial insects
PUMPKINSEED - Lepomis gibbosus
Fish Notes
The pumpkinseed gets its name from its general body shape. It is oval and compressed laterally. It is a freshwater fish that can travel into brackish water. The pumpkinseed was found at 28 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 7 inches, rarely to 10 inches
Diet: Aquatic and terrestrial insects and other small invertebrates
REDBREAST SUNFISH - Lepomis auritus
Fish Notes
As the name implies, the redbreast sunfish has a bright reddish orange belly. Mature adults sport a long black “tab” on their opercular (cheek area) flap. The redbreast sunfish was found at 40 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 7 inches, rarely to 10 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects and other invertebrates
REDEAR SUNFISH - Lepomis microlophus
Fish Notes
This fish’s name refers to the red tab on its opercular (cheek area) flap. The redear sunfish is also called “shellcracker” because their diet consists of snails and small clams which requires them to crush the shells in order to eat them. This fish was found at two percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: No
Size: 10 inches, rarely to 15 inches
Diet: Snails, clams and aquatic insects
SMALLMOUTH BASS - Micropterus dolomieu
Fish Notes
The smallmouth bass is enjoyed by anglers for its hard fight and its tendency to jump out of the water when hooked. The popularity of the smallmouth bass as a game fish has led to its widespread distribution. The Virginia state record is 8 pounds, 1 ounce. The smallmouth bass was found at six percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: No
Size: 17 inches, rarely to 20 inches
Diet: Crayfish, fish and aquatic insects
WARMOUTH - Lepomis gulosus
Fish Notes
The warmouth’s common name is due to the stripes originating from the upper mouth and running through the eye that bear a resemblance to war paint. The warmouth was found at three percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Unknown, but probably an introduced species
Size: 8 inches, rarely to 10 inches
Diet: Crayfish, aquatic insects and fish
References
Jenkins, R. E., N. M. Burkhead, 1994, Freshwater Fishes of Virginia, 1079 pgs., American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD
For more information, please email the Stormwater Planning Division or call 703-324-5500, TTY 711.
Distribution maps are based on sampling data collected between 1999 and 2011.
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