"Gills"

[JODakota]

Had a great day catching bluegills with the wife. We kept the good ones and threw back quite a few. They are one of my favorite freshwater fish to go after. I have two wrapped in a towel in the freezer go to the taxidermist in Monday. Both just shy of 10 inches but honestly, it's a memory I want to preserve.

[Axle]

          

[Timberstalker]

There's some good eating!  Good work!  Washington or Dakota?

[JODakota]

There's some good eating!  Good work!  Washington or Dakota?

Thank you! The Just started spawning last week so there are plenty to be had! These are Dakota blues

[Blacklab]

pound for pound one of the best fighters.

[lokidog]

Yum!!   

[h20hunter]

Haven't seen a mess like that since I left Illinois.  Well done.

[h2ofowlr]

Always fun to catch!

[lokidog]

Some of the little lakes along the Columbia created by the RR dikes have decent numbers in them, most are not very big but they are still fun to  catch and tasty.  Some of the Seeps lakes have a lot as well.  Many years ago, we caught one that was at least twelve inches long, not sure why we didn't get it mounted, but it sure tasted good.

[nwwanderer]

School me on color differences.  Age?  Sex?  Habitat?  Depth?
Great display

[Axle]

School me on color differences.  Age?  Sex?  Habitat?  Depth?
Great display

This is a nice web site to get started: http://extremephillyfishing.blogspot.com/2013/06/be-sunfish-expert-simple-guide-for.html

Most lakes here in WA have these sunfish. They are usually small but the taste is awesome. They love meal worms or maggots and are easy to catch. Excellent for getting the kids started on! They spawn in warmer water temps.
Just put a meal worm or a few maggots on a hook (I prefer a #8 gold long shank).
Fillet them and then cut off the rib bones and you will be a hero at home after they are fried. They make great fish tacos too!