Pumpkinseeds have similar feeding habits to other true sunfish. They eat a wide variety of prey, including insects, crustaceans, and small fishes. Spawning takes place from May until August. Like bluegills, pumpkinseeds construct their nests close to shore in colonies. Nests are usually found in areas of submerged vegetation in six to 12 inches of water.
Pumpkinseeds provide hours of fishing fun for all anglers.
They are strong fighters and have sweet-tasting fillets. Pumpkinseeds often provide good sport when other fish are not biting. The redbreast sunfish is confined to the eastern portion of the state and is of lesser importance to New York State anglers. While it inhabits lakes and ponds, redbreasts mostly live in clear, slower moving streams with sandy and rocky bottoms. The redbreast is a relatively small sunfish, usually growing four to eight inches long.