Species profile
Warmouth
Lepomis gulosus
At a glance
Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 4 of 65 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 5 (Georgia); the most generous is 25 (Michigan).
Confirmed by 5,007 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Texas, and North Carolina the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under SARA — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Its scientific name 'gulosus' is Latin for 'gluttonous,' a nod to its large, wide mouth.
- Warmouth have distinctive red eyes that set them apart from other sunfish at a glance.
- They prefer dark, heavily vegetated backwaters and swamps with soft, muddy bottoms.
- Adults typically reach 5–10 inches; fish over 12 inches are considered trophy-class.
- They tolerate very low dissolved oxygen by occasionally gulping air at the water surface.
Where Warmouth are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Warmouth
Protected status
- SARA Schedule 1 (special concern): Warmouth. Canadian populations — harm/harvest prohibited under SARA s.32-33.
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The warmouth, warmouth sunfish, or warmouth bass, (Lepomis gulosus), is a large sunfish found throughout the eastern United States. Other local names include molly, redeye, goggle-eye, red-eyed bream, stump knocker, and strawberry perch. Despite a passing, superficial similarity in appearance, the warmouth should not be confused with its distant relative the rock bass.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Warmouth article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.