A new fish species was recently discovered in Nebraska when a fisherman named Scott Buss caught a 5¼-inch longear sunfish. This colorful fish, native to Kansas, has bright orange coloring with turquoise markings. This was the first time in Bauer’s career that he had heard of a longear sunfish in Nebraska. Buss caught the fish while using a rod and reel with a nightcrawler worm as bait. He was not specifically targeting the sunfish but enjoys multi-species fishing, which allows him to catch a variety of fish beyond the typical catfish.
Buss initially noticed the uniqueness of the fish after reeling it in, describing it as “different” and “cool-looking.” Realizing this could be a significant discovery, he decided to bring the longear sunfish to the attention of the authorities. The fish was documented and recognized as the first state record for the species in Nebraska. Bauer was particularly thrilled by the catch, emphasizing that no longear sunfish had ever been caught in the state before. The fish was found in the Little Blue River, a typical eastern Nebraska prairie stream with a shallow, sandy, and muddy bottom. While the river usually contains species like channel and flathead catfish, as well as various sunfish, longear sunfish had not been previously documented there.
Longear sunfish are similar to bluegills and are commonly found in waters all across Nebraska. They are often the first fish that young anglers catch because they readily bite on small hooks, bobbers, and worms. Buss emphasized the excitement of fishing, stating that it offers the opportunity to catch a wide variety of fish, from muskies to sunfish. He encouraged others to simply go fishing and enjoy the outdoors because the unpredictability of the sport is part of what makes it so thrilling. This discovery highlights the diversity of aquatic life in Nebraska and underscores the potential for new and exciting finds in the state’s waters.
