Hand-sized, pan-sized. Any species that can be legally harvested at a small enough size to fit in the skillet is considered a panfish. For anglers who love lots of action, easy access, and fried fish, panfishing covers all the bases. It's also a great way to introduce kids to fishing, with easy-to-catch species and quick rewards that build confidence and keep them engaged.

 

Sunfish

There are over 30 species of sunfish, or “sunnies” in North America, but some common (and best tasting, in my opinion) ones you’ll find in Maryland are bluegill, pumpkinseed, and redear. Any pond, lake, river, and even the Northern reaches of the Chesapeake where there is little to no salinity is likely to hold sunfish. 

 

An ultralight rod and reel combo rigged with a small, baited J-hook and a bobber is the ultimate panfish setup. 

 

Nightcrawlers will be the best bait for sunnies. More seasoned anglers who wish for a challenge can try artificial lures. The “float and fly” method is a popular technique for sunfish. Tie a small fly or hair jig (I mean small– 1/64 oz or 1/32 oz) under your bobber instead of a worm on a hook, and cast out. Lightly twitch your rod tip every so often to create a subtle disturbance on the surface with your bobber and allow the lure to rise and slowly fall again. When the bobber dunks, set the hook.

 

Crappie

With a mouth that opens wide like a bass and a flat body reminiscent of a sunfish, crappie is one of the more unique panfish species. They are found in similar areas but tend to be more wary than sunfish. However, once you find one willing to bite, there are usually more around. 

 

Crappie will oftentimes take larger offerings, as their gaping mouths allow them to gulp bulkier prey than sunnies can. One can rarely go wrong with a minnow under a bobber while crappie fishing. On the artificial side, hair jigs or marabou jigs (in slightly larger, baitfish-oriented profiles as opposed to the insect-sized jigs for sunfish) under a bobber using the “float and fly” tactic will produce bites. If the fish seem to be feeding hard, a small spinnerbait like a Beetle Spin or a micro soft plastic on a light jig head can provide great action. 

 

Many anglers deem crappie as the tastiest panfish. Once you try a bite of that fried and flaky, mild-tasting filet, you might agree. 

 

Perch

Both white perch and yellow perch are found in Maryland’s waters, and they are the feistiest fish on this list. 

 

White perch are not perch, but temperate bass. They are more closely related to rockfish than they are to yellow perch. These fish can be found in nearly every Chesapeake Bay tributary as well as the Bay itself. Popular live bait options include bloodworms, grass shrimp, minnow, and soft shell crab. Tipping a hook under a bobber or a Chesapeake Sabiki with any of these offerings is a good way to fill your cooler with white perch. Regarding lures, choosing the right size is key to getting the most bites. You’ll want to “match the hatch” by determining what the fish are eating. If you’re seeing lots of silverside minnows, tie on a larger offering. Fishing near shallow vegetation or rock structures? It’s probably grass shrimp, so go smaller. Small spinnerbaits, paddle tails, grubs and spoons should entice a white perch to bite. 

 

The yellow perch is a true perch, and its behavior differs from that of a white perch accordingly. These fish are much less tolerant to higher salinity levels than white perch and are more likely to be found in the fresher waters of the Bay and its tributaries. Yellow perch also tend to be more finicky. Nightcrawlers, grass shrimp, or minnows– under a bobber or on a top and bottom rig– should get the job done if the fish are feeding. When selecting artificial options, think of targeting yellow perch as a mix between crappie and sunfish. You want to present a larger offering, but in as light a weight as possible to achieve that slow, tantalizing fall. So, choose a hair jig or micro soft plastic in the 1/64oz to 1/32oz range, and try the “float and fly” method. If the bobber seems to be spooking the fish, get rid of it, and jig your lure very slowly. 

 

Every year in early spring, both yellow and white perch depart their winter holding grounds and make their spawning run. The weather is warming up, and the fish need energy to reproduce, so they begin feeding hard. This is one of the best times to target and catch a whole lot of perch. Find a spot on a Chesapeake tributary that’s far upriver or in a creek, and catch ‘em up!

 

How to Cook Panfish

You didn’t think I’d end it before sharing what’s next for your panfish when it’s ready for the pan, right? 

 

  1. Heat an inch of oil in your pan of choice. 

  2. Grab a bowl and combine one part cornmeal, one part flour, and one part Old Bay. In a second bowl, crack one egg for every two filets or one whole fish (gutted and scaled). 

  3. Dip your filets or whole fish in the egg, then dry the mixture, and put it in the sizzling oil. 

  4. Once the fish is golden and crispy, remove it from the pan and set on a plate lined with paper towels. Let it cool, and enjoy your delicious panfish. 

 

Get Ready For Your Next Fishing Outing

Looking for more information, inspiration, or a sneak peek into what Maryland has to offer? Explore Fish & Hunt Maryland’s latest articles written by fellow sportsmen and women and local partners, alongside our extensive library of videos available. 

 

Be sure to acquire your license from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources if you plan on heading out on your own (charter passengers are covered by the captain’s license).  

 

Visit our Planning Resources page for information on fishing charters and guides, lodging options, marinas, retailers and more. And if you’re up for a quick getaway, be sure to check out Visit Maryland for places to stay, dining, and things to do while you’re here.