Species profile
Warmouth
Lepomis gulosus
Identify Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 6 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 10 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 5 (Georgia); the most generous is 50 (Georgia).
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
Frequently asked questions
What is Warmouth?
Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 10 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Warmouth?
Warmouth is Lepomis gulosus.
Is Warmouth regulated for fishing?
Yes — Warmouth has fishing regulations in 6 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Warmouth?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Warmouth along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.