sunfish sexual dimorphism?

[mainbutter]

I'm pretty sure that all species of sunfish are sexually dimorphic, anyone want to explain to me how to tell the males from the females (for any or all common species of sunfish in MN)?

[Scott M]

There's no real clear way to tell males and females apart externally, particularly outside of the spawning season. Dissection will reveal gonads and sex, but an external glance is tough.

Fish in the catfish and pike families can be externally sexed, but sunfish don't have the same urogenital and genital opening differences.

[fisherdog19]

Coloration near or during spawning season will be the only way to visually differentiate sunfish.

[nofishfisherman]

Its hard to visually tell the difference between males and females but you can almost always hear the difference. The females will be the ones nagging you to throw them back while the males will be craving the peace and quiet of the live well.