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I have been fishing in a small lake in Southern Indiana. We’ve caught many Bluegill in the same place and caught this small, I’m assuming young Sunfish today. Is this just a Bluegill that happens to be more colorful because it’s young or is it another type of Sunfish? The closest I can find by researching is maybe a Pumpkinseed.
Most Likely, you are correct and it is a Pumpkinseed Sunfish. Though, pan fish interbreed and it could be mixed.
The fish identification page (PDF:20/ Printed:37) in the 2019 Michigan Fishing Guide has the Pumpkinseed Sunfish looking the closest to your fish.
Warning, the link opens a PDF.
