Following our discussions during this year's rotenone survey, I investigated habitat suitability requirements for redear sunfish Lepomis microlophus as related to a possible introduction into Mount Storm Lake. The Virginia record of 4 pounds 12 ounces is surpassed by a 4 pound 13 ounce record from Florida.
Redear sunfish are best suited to large, warm lakes with low turbidity and vegetated shallows.
They prefer to congregate around submerged and emergent vegetation but will also use brush, stumps and logs. They feed primarily on the bottom and seldom take insects from the surface which are a primary source of food for bluegills in Mount Storm Lake. In one study shellcrackers were found to nearly eliminate snails from experimental ponds. Based on this information, redear sunfish seem well suited for Mount Storm Lake which is very clear and possesses an extended growing season. The recent colonization of the lake by the Asiatic clam, Corbicula fluminea , should provide an adequate food source for adult redear sunfish but there would be competition with other species for zooplankton during their early life stages.