Panfish Fishing In Nevada

Guide to fishing for sunfish in NV lakes and ponds.

Throughout the state of Nevada you can find waters with populations of sunfish, including bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish, white bass and yellow perch.

Nevada provides great opportunities for panfish fishing, making it an ideal choice for young anglers and families looking to enjoy a fun and rewarding fishing experience. Panfish refer to a group of smaller-sized fish that are typically easy to catch and perfect for beginners. Among the popular panfish species in Nevada are sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, green sunfish, white bass, and perch.

Sunfish and bluegill are widely distributed across the state and are often found in urban ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. These fish are known for their vibrant colors and are eager biters, making them an excellent target for youth fishing.

Redear sunfish, also known as shellcrackers, are less common but can be found in certain waters throughout Nevada. They are slightly larger than bluegill and are recognized for their distinctive red ear flap, which gives them their name.

Green sunfish are another species that adds variety to panfish fishing in the state. While they may not be as numerous as bluegill or sunfish, they are still sought after by anglers.

White bass and perch are also considered panfish and can be found in certain lakes and reservoirs in Nevada. While not as abundant as other species, they offer additional excitement for young anglers who want to diversify their catch.

Panfish fishing in Nevada is a great way to introduce kids to the joys of fishing. The small size of these fish makes them perfect for little hands to handle, and their willingness to bite ensures a positive and enjoyable experience for young anglers. With numerous youth fishing events and family-friendly locations across the state, panfish fishing in Nevada is a fantastic way to create lasting memories and foster a love for the outdoors in the next generation of anglers.

Panfish, Sunfish & Perch Fishing Lakes

Panfish thrive on warm waters and do well in the southern and central regions of Nevada. They can be found in ponds, small lakes, rivers and major lakes including Lake Lahontan, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Pyramid Lake, Rye Patch Reservoir, Washoe Lake and Wild Horse Reservoir.

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 here for the best lures for white bass, yellow bass, white perch and yellow perch.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Nevada State Record Sunfish

The state record bluegill was caught from the Colorado River.

The state record green sunfish came from Battle Mountain H S Pond.

The state record pumpkinseed sunfish came out of Peavine Ponds.

The state record redear sunfish came out of the Colorado River.

The state record white bass came from Lahontan Reservoir.

The state record Sacramento perch was caught out of Pyramid Lake.

The state record yellow perch (tie) one came from Dufurrena Ponds, one was caught from Wildhorse Reservoir.

The term "panfish" comprises many species, each called by a variety of names. The bluegill tops the list and is the most common.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Nevada, 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 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.

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.