What is a Panfish? Everything You Need to Know

Q: Is a Largemouth Bass a Panfish?

A largemouth bass is not usually considered a panfish.

Q: Is a Trout a Panfish?

No, a trout is not a panfish. While you may think that Trout would fall under the ‘panfish’ umbrella, due to their size, weight and ability to fit into a frying pan. They are also not considered to be a panfish.

Q: Are Bream panfish?

Most bream are considered to be panfish. In the U.S. a bream is a common name that encompasses larger sunfish species like Bluegill and Redear.

Q: Is a Sunfish a Panfish?

Sunfish are generally considered to be panfish. Sunfishes are a family of ray-finned fish that are exclusive to North America. The Sunfish family features many different species of fish, including Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass.

If you’re a fishing enthusiast, you’ve likely heard the term “panfish” before. But what is a panfish? In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore the different types of panfish, the best ways to catch them, the benefits of eating them, and much more.

Table of Contents

What is a Panfish?

A panfish is a term used to describe a group of freshwater fish species that are typically small and have a flattened body shape. The name “panfish” comes from the fact that these fish are often cooked in a frying pan.

Panfish are found in almost every body of freshwater in the united States. They are small in size and usually weigh between six and eight ounces, with some variation. The real variations in panfish come in their lengths – some panfish, like Bluegills, measure between 7 and 10 inches long while Shellcrackers can grow up to 17 inches. While other panfish are shorter in lakes where growth has been stunted.

Panfish can include members of other fish species like Sunfish. However, more simply put – if your fish can fit into a pan, it’s a panfish.

Why are they called panfish?

A fish is considered a panfish if it fits in a pan. The term first originated in the United States nearly 200 years ago – it quite literally meant a “fish that would fit into and be cooked in a pan”. It was first mentioned in the 1796 edition of “American Cookery” – one of the nation’s first-ever published cookbooks. Since 1901, however, panfish recipes have been a staple of the Whitehouse Cookbook.

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What are the Different Types of Panfish?

While it’s easy to look at the simpler naming convention as being the hard and fast rule as far as panfish go, there are a few species of fish that will almost always be considered ‘panfish’. These are Bluegill, Black & White Crappie, Redear Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Spotted & Redbreast Sunfishes, Pumpkinseed, Warmouth and Fliers.

What Other Species are Sometimes Called Panfish?

While not a part of the “core” group of Panfish, the following species are sometimes considered sunfish, but not panfish.

Yellow Bass
White Bass
Rock Bass
Bullhead Catfish
Suckers

Is a Largemouth Bass a Panfish?

A largemouth bass is not usually considered a panfish. This is one of those instances where the rubber meets the proverbial road when it comes to panfish definition and nomenclature. The Largemouth Bass is a freshwater gamefish that belongs to the sunfish family and the smaller bass can fit in a pan, but generally not considered a panfish.

Is a Smallmouth Bass a Panfish?

No, a smallmouth bass is not considered a panfish. Again, it’s a case of the fish failing the biology test when it comes to the Smallmouth Bass. Technically, the smallmouth is considered to be a sunfish, and can certainly fit in a pan – though it is not widely considered to be a panfish.

Is a Trout a Panfish?

No, a trout is not a panfish. While you may think that Trout would fall under the ‘panfish’ umbrella, due to their size, weight and ability to fit into a frying pan. They are also not considered to be a panfish.

Are Bream panfish?

Most bream are considered to be panfish. In the U.S. a bream is a common name that encompasses larger sunfish species like Bluegill and Redear.

Is a Sunfish a Panfish?

Sunfish are generally considered to be panfish. Sunfishes are a family of ray-finned fish that are exclusive to North America. The Sunfish family features many different species of fish, including Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass.

  In short: not all panfish are sunfish, and not all sunfish are panfish. Some are, and some aren’t. It depends on if they’ll pass the ‘pan test’.

Why are panfish so popular to catch

Panfish are popular among anglers due to their abundance in many bodies of water, ease of catching, and tasty flesh. They’re also a popular species for beginners to target, as they’re relatively easy to catch with basic gear and techniques.

Where Can You Find Panfish?

While I just mentioned that panfish live in abundance in a great many lakes and rivers in the United States, there are a few places where they’re most prevalent.

Crappie are most commonly found in the Lake in the Woods – a huge lake system that straddles the Minnesota/Ontario border with over 65,000 miles of shoreline and 14,500 islands.
Bluegill is most commonly found in the waters of Florida.
Warmouth is typically in many bodies of still, fresh water throughout the US, from FL down to NM.
Fliers are typically found in Florida in many bodies of water all across the state from north to south.

What kind of Gear Do You Need for Panfishing?

If you’re looking to get into pan fishing, there are a few reasonably essential gear items. You’re going to need a good ultralight fishing rod paired with a solid ultralight reel. You’re going to need hooks, lures, weights, and if you want to keep some to eat, a cooler. You can see a full list in our ultralight fishing guide.