Fishing Story

[Anglinarcher]

I wish I could have seen the fish before it discolored.  I am 90% sure it is a Green Sunfish.  

The blue spots that I think I see on the cheeks and body suggest a pumpkin seed, but the shape is wrong.  


This is what a green sunfish looks like.  They are ok eating, can overtake some bluegill waters, but I like them.

I have caught numerous sunfish in my day but none that are black.  The entire body was a dark color prior to being placed in the death bucket. Also, the shape was more typical of bass or bullhead and the scales of a perch or bass. I think the dots do confirm your theory. Maybe a water acidity/alkaline issue, lack of food etc. because there are at least 5 more swimming around with the same characteristics.   Thanks!

The black color is unusual, but not unheard of.  In the dark stained waters of Louisiana, the Green Sunfish are normally quite dark, almost black.  It is not the food, but maybe water chemistry and simply water color are the factors.  What did the water color look like, how deep were they, etc.