Orangespotted Sunfish in OHIO?

Hello everyone,

I recently setup my first native freshwater tank and I’m eager to add some fish. The tank is a 20 gallon long and right now it should be close to completing the cycling process. I’ll know more when I test the water tonight! Anyway, once the tank is fully cycled I’d like to stock it with 2 or 3 Orangespotted Sunfish and a Bluespotted Sunfish or two. I know the Bluespotted Sunfish are not native to Ohio and that I can get them from Sachs Aquaculture online but I was wondering what you guys thought about catching wild Orangespotted Sunfish in Southwest Ohio? I’ve read that the fish are native to Ohio but I have no idea where to find them. I live minutes away from the Great Miami River (a tributary of the Ohio River) and I was wondering if anyone knew if this river had Orangespotted Sunfish in it and if not, where I might be able to find some. Thanks in advance and sorry if I posted this in the wrong section. (I'm still new to the site!)

- Nick

i dont know about the south but in the north west ohio thy are very easy to find

Hmmm... anyone else know???

Brian Zimmerman had some for sale last fall. I believe he's out now, but likely will have some more this year. I don't know where to find them in your area.

Hello everyone,

I recently setup my first native freshwater tank and I'm eager to add some fish. The tank is a 20 gallon long and right now it should be close to completing the cycling process. I'll know more when I test the water tonight! Anyway, once the tank is fully cycled I'd like to stock it with 2 or 3 Orangespotted Sunfish and a Bluespotted Sunfish or two. I know the Bluespotted Sunfish are not native to Ohio and that I can get them from Sachs Aquaculture online but I was wondering what you guys thought about catching wild Orangespotted Sunfish in Southwest Ohio? I've read that the fish are native to Ohio but I have no idea where to find them. I live minutes away from the Great Miami River (a tributary of the Ohio River) and I was wondering if anyone knew if this river had Orangespotted Sunfish in it and if not, where I might be able to find some. Thanks in advance and sorry if I posted this in the wrong section. (I'm still new to the site!)

- Nick

nickag9, os are very common in the GMR if you fish with wax worms right now just bellow the DPL damn you should get a fish with every other pull the other fish will be shiners.
fish close to rocks with no float just let it drift down and you will find them.
if you have trouble pm me and we will go.
i will show you were there are.
its my womans most sought after fish after catfish.
i think she like to bait fish as much as game fish.
and im sad to say last season she beat me real bad over 223# live release.

Edited by CATfishTONY, 23 January 2010 - 06:30 PM.

Thanks CATfishTONY!

However, if you could clarify, where is the DPL damn? I just moved out here to Fairfield and I'm not very familiar with this side of town (I grew up on the East side fishing the LMR). Anyway, thanks for the help. I was hoping I could net the fish instead of catching them on a hook but I guess I'll have to do some more research. Thanks again.

- Nick

Looks like Tony beat me to it, they should be quite abundant in the GMR. They are found throughout western Ohio in the larger river systems like the GMR and the Maumee up North. Your also likely to catch longears which probably would not be suited to a 20 gallon tank and woulds just kill one another or the orangespots in that situation. Anyways tony should be able to help you out since he is very close to you. I live up in the center of the state NE of Columbus.

Ok, thanks for the info Brian!

I'd really like to stock my 20 gallon long with two Orangespotted sunfish and 1 or 2 Bluespotted sunfish. It would be great if I could catch the O-spots on my own rather than purchase them online so I will have to scope out areas near my house with river access then see if I can round up some ultra light weight fishing gear and some small hooks. I might even invest in a small cast net or a dipnet if you think I can take any that way. I'd prefer not to catch them on hook and line, but as long as any damage done by the hook would heal properly either way would work for me.

I guess it's time to purchase my 2010 fishing license, look at a map and find somewhere I can get to the GMR!

Pick up some tiny ice flies while outfitters still have them in stock this winter (Bass Pro or Gander should have them). Tipped with a wax worm as Tony suggests is deadly. You can just walk from rock to rock and dip like you were crappie fishin' lily pads. Lance Merry showed us this last summer, I couldn't believe how easy it was.

Otherwise, you're treading in a zone of non-compliance if you nab them with a net, as they're technically a sport fish.

They're worth every bit of effort, as they're great aquarium fish.

Good luck!

Todd

Thanks CATfishTONY!

However, if you could clarify, where is the DPL damn? I just moved out here to Fairfield and I'm not very familiar with this side of town (I grew up on the East side fishing the LMR). Anyway, thanks for the help. I was hoping I could net the fish instead of catching them on a hook but I guess I'll have to do some more research. Thanks again.

- Nick

i think this is the spot. test one screen print of GMR NORTH OF FRANKLIN OHIO
The damn is the light gray line across the river just below the word pike

Edited by CATfishTONY, 26 January 2010 - 05:12 PM.

nick on a side note todd is right DO NOT use a net to get your fish on the GMR
the man is watching often around there sometimes from a far with binoculars.
Here is a link to the rules.


http://forum.nanfa.o...forum/173-ohio/

Ok got it, no nets. I'll head up to the Bass Pro Shop this weekend and see if they have any ice flies in stock. Thanks for all the advice and as soon as it gets a little warmer down here I'll see what kind of luck I can have catching O-spots on the GMR.