Utah Lake: The Fun Kind of Green

https://www.louisianasportsman.com/fishing/freshwater-fishing/this-perch-is-a-hussy/

Lepomis cyanellus Click)

The Green Sunfish is the one you do not find on the Utah Lake species list. They are not native to Utah but they have indeed propagated in the lake.

Utah Lake species list

• Black Bullhead Catfish
• Black Crappie
• Bluegill
• Channel Catfish
• Common Carp
• June Sucker (endangered species)
• Largemouth Bass
• Northern Pike
• Utah Chub
• Walleye
• White Bass
• Yellow Perch
• Green Sunfish (not officially added) 

The world record for this tiny bluegill like species is 2 lbs and 2 oz. Running into a school of these breeders is like fishing the white bass spawn. You can catch them one after another, and they are fun little fighters.  They are also very beautiful to look at with there turquoise colored spots. However you don't have to wait for a spawn, they will frenzie any time of the year. and they are aggressive.

I love when they flair up for the picture

These greenies will breed with our Utah Lake bluegill and create hybrids. Theoretically they will breed themselves out of existence. How they even exist is somewhat puzzling. 

     Green sunfish                 vs            Utah Lake Bluegill  

Utah Lake (click)