Oscar

US fish and state coverage

Astronotus ocellatus

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Typical depth
Typical size
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Most successful in canals running through marsh habitats, although found in lesser numbers in coastal canals, ponds, and lakes in from central Florida southward.
Diet
Feeding Habits: Feed primarily on small fish, insects, and crustaceans.
Water type
freshwater

When to fish

Seasonality
Spawning Habitats: Spawning normally takes place on flat, solid surfaces when water temperatures warm to 82-91 o F; female typically lays about 3,000 eggs and both parents occasionally seen guarding hundreds of young in shallow water along shorelines.

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Most successful in canals running through marsh habitats, although found in lesser numbers in coastal canals, ponds, and lakes in from central Florida southward.
Habitat zone
freshwater
Fishing zone
freshwater

How to catch

Not in the source.

Bait & lures

Not in the source.

Size

Not in the source.

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
2.34
Record location
Lake Okeechobee
Record date
3/16/1994
Record angler
Jimmy Cook
Record catch text
2.34 lb; by Jimmy Cook; on 3/16/1994; at Lake Okeechobee

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 1580 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 628 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 2 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.