Warmouth Lepomis gulosus

Identification
This sunfish has a large mouth and mottled body.

Location
Uncommon statewide

Size
4 to 12 inches

Diet
It feeds on insects small fish and crustaceans.

Habitat
It occurs in swamps ponds and rivers.

Activity Period
Year round

Behavior
It prefers vegetated slow waters. It is active year round.

Lifecycle
Breeding occurs in summer.

Population
The population is stable but localized.

History
It has long been present in Ohio.

Human Interactions
It rarely interacts with humans.

Facts
It resembles a small bass.

Sources
ODNR academic sources

Insects small fish crustaceans | Swamps ponds slow rivers | Statewide