Guide To Popular Panfish Fishing Options In The Washington DC Area

All about fishing for sunfish in DC lakes and ponds.

In the District of Columbia you can find waters with populations of bluegill sunfish, which populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Washington DC, and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, insects, crustaceans and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves, for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Panfish Lakes

Rock Creek and the Potomac River are your primary options for finding panfish in the Washington DC area. The term "panfish" comprises many species, each called by a variety of names. The bluegill tops the list and is the most common. Panfish are prolific spawners and repopulate the waters as fast as they are harvested. A common problem with panfish fishing is that the waters are under-fished causing panfish to overpopulate. As a result they tend to stay small in size due to lack of food source.

Top Producing Panfish Lures & Bait

Check out the top producing lures and bait for bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass and warmouth, as well as other smaller sunfish.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Bluegill Fishing Basics Video

The core principles shown in this video will work for most sunfish, perch and other panfish.

Sunfish information in other states.