The green sunfish is native to a wide area of
North America, from the
Rocky Mountains in the west to the
Appalachian Mountains in the east and from the
Hudson Bay basin in
Canada to the
Gulf Coast in the
United States and northern
Mexico. They are specifically indigenous to a number of lakes and rivers, such as the
Great Lakes and some of the basins of the
Mississippi River. Green sunfish have been introduced to many bodies of water all across the United States. The green sunfish is considered an
invasive species by the states of
Arizona,
California,
Florida,
Georgia and
New Jersey, Their invasive potential is due in part to their penchant for chasing other sunfish away from mutually preferred habitat of submerged vegetation, a form of
interference competition, their relatively large mouth, high fecundity and ability to tolerate sediment pollution. In the state of
New Jersey, as of 2021, anglers must destroy green sunfish when caught and should report their catch to a state fisheries biologist. In the state of
Florida, a permit is required in order to possess green sunfish as it is listed as a prohibited non-native species there.
L. cyanellus has been transplanted to countries in
Africa,
Asia, and
Europe, and has become established in some areas. ==Description==