I have collected them in locations in Florida and North Carolina. They are nearly impossible to tell apart from LES other than the two species prefer completely different habitats. Dollars like swampy areas and heavily vegetated ponds while LES like rocky streams and occasionally lakes.
You are correct they top out around 4". You may be able to source some from Zimmerman Fish. Otherwise, you would have to collect from the wild. I really enjoyed keeping them as aquarium fish. They are one of the least aggressive Lepomis species I have ever had.
