afk
6/2/2013 2:24:00 PMThat one missing the chunk out of his back is one heck of a survivor! Thanks for sharing.
Rocky
6/2/2013 4:52:00 PMNice mess of fish F.C. did you use your new float boat or off the bank take care.
BassSlayer1981
6/2/2013 5:07:00 PMNice catch! Are some of those pumpkin seed sun fish? I catch those all the time. Never have ate one. Anybody know if they taste the same as bluegill?
fishinChristian
6/2/2013 5:27:00 PMAFK: He was indeed, but he swallowed that grub way too deep, and after reading the survival rate of deephooked bluegill, I had to take him.
Rocky: The single pontoon, olde yellar.
BS: 3 are sunfish, and they are near identical. Very good eating. They are prone to parasites, but these had none.
Rocky: The single pontoon, olde yellar.
BS: 3 are sunfish, and they are near identical. Very good eating. They are prone to parasites, but these had none.
tom.shaeffer
6/2/2013 8:12:00 PMGreat looking fish!!!!!! I have been trying to find how to get to the ponds so I can take my 12 year old son over to have a blast. could you give an old fisherman some hints on which pond and if there is any camping around the area?
fishinChristian
6/3/2013 10:33:00 AMThat's a fairly long answer, but here the short version. Access and species: http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/sunnyside-snake_river/I-82%20Ponds/ This link tells all.
There is camping, but I don't know if you mean tent, motor home or what, so I'd Google it. I live about 20 miles from this lake, so never have camped around it. There is no camping at the lakes themselves, and they are closed after dark, mostly. Lots of nearby hotels, some almost on the lakes.
Pond 6 for perch and catfish, 4 for bluegill and sunfish, with a few crappie, pond 1 for bass and perch (smaller), pond 2 for trout. Bear in mind these are basically gravel pits from the freeway construction, and that being in scrubland, they have ticks and mosquitoes and not a lot of shade, so repellant and sunblock are good ideas. Lots of bait stealers on average, so bring a fair amount of bait, and go with light outfits. I always am amused by people who bring salmon or sturgeon gear to fish these ponds. There isn't much in the water to wrap around other than moss, so light lines can land most fish in them. I've landed catfish over 20lbs on 4 lb test in pond 6. With most kids, I'd suggest bobbers (small) and 1/16th or 1/32nd oz jigs, with small plastics and a bit of bait. If you can get Jigmeister plastics you have a slight edge, but tubes and grubs work also. Cast near any change, including moss bed edges, and play with depths.
You'll note I didn't mention ponds 5 or 7, mostly due to access and ticks. You might also consider Rotary, which can be pretty good, but it does get a lot of pressure.
There is camping, but I don't know if you mean tent, motor home or what, so I'd Google it. I live about 20 miles from this lake, so never have camped around it. There is no camping at the lakes themselves, and they are closed after dark, mostly. Lots of nearby hotels, some almost on the lakes.
Pond 6 for perch and catfish, 4 for bluegill and sunfish, with a few crappie, pond 1 for bass and perch (smaller), pond 2 for trout. Bear in mind these are basically gravel pits from the freeway construction, and that being in scrubland, they have ticks and mosquitoes and not a lot of shade, so repellant and sunblock are good ideas. Lots of bait stealers on average, so bring a fair amount of bait, and go with light outfits. I always am amused by people who bring salmon or sturgeon gear to fish these ponds. There isn't much in the water to wrap around other than moss, so light lines can land most fish in them. I've landed catfish over 20lbs on 4 lb test in pond 6. With most kids, I'd suggest bobbers (small) and 1/16th or 1/32nd oz jigs, with small plastics and a bit of bait. If you can get Jigmeister plastics you have a slight edge, but tubes and grubs work also. Cast near any change, including moss bed edges, and play with depths.
You'll note I didn't mention ponds 5 or 7, mostly due to access and ticks. You might also consider Rotary, which can be pretty good, but it does get a lot of pressure.
Jay K
6/4/2013 9:45:00 PMNice report - those are some big bull gills - checkout the humps! Can't wait to get into some June bluegill fishing at my local lake.