3 Day Float On A Missouri Stream 5/20 Thru 5/22

[Al Agnew]

I've caught a number of those hybrids, and in fact have one in my water garden right now, after keeping it in the aquarium until it got pretty big. Like you say, definitely green sunfish, and I think Justin is right that it's crossed with a bluegill. Those hybrids occur naturally, because the green sunfish and bluegill share similar habitats and spawning times. I've never seen nor heard of a green sunfish (or any other sunfish) crossing with a longear, but I believe that greens can cross with redear.

[Mitch f]

Since we are on this subject, what is a Warmouth?

[Guest]

deleted

[Greasy B]

I believe I catch Warm Mouth out of the strip pits north of SIUC. I have never seen one larger than 6", most are 4.

[Ham]

The ear flap looks a little Redear-ish. The random scale colors reminds me of a Pumpkinseed, but I'monly sure that it's some form of hybrid.

[Wayne SW/MO]

The warmouth in simple terms is a goggle eye/ Ozark bass cousin that likes slow water. I believe most of the natural ones in Missouri are in the southeast.

[E Green]

Great report... Sounds like so much fun. Love the pics also.

I get all the sunfish mixed up.

[Al Agnew]

I've occasionally caught warmouth on many of the southeast MO Ozark streams, including Big River and the St. Francis. I believe they are present in most Ozark streams, but the populations are small.