Do you love big bluegill?

Chicago Sunfish

On occasion, I work in the windy city.....one of my superiors asked me if I wanted to see a cool fish market...I said yes. We stopped at the corner of Halsted and Fulton Place for a peek....this place was awesome....it was literally a self serve fish market.....all types of fresh fish laying on crushed ice....everything I put a nose to smelled very fresh....Walleyes, Crappies, Sunfish, Striped Bass, Perch....this place was the bomb....grab a pair of gloves, a plastic bag....grab what you want, bring it to the weighing official....get your ticket, and pay the man....I bought 3/4 lb of fresh filleted lake perch for $8.....breaded them, and fried them like a concerned cardiologist....they were awesome!......I had to take these pics...@ 60% waste...the sunfish would be comparable.

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Comment by Vince Bielanski on June 17, 2012 at 5:35am: That's awesome. Hell maybe I should sell my boat and all my gear and save a ton of money! Pretty sure the gills I catch are about 25X the price in the picture!

Comment by Jen Nayfly on June 9, 2012 at 1:26pm: Darn our secret is getting out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope this doesn't take off!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree Greg, buy CANADIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Bill "Musky" Modica on June 8, 2012 at 9:08am: John, bluegill have been showing up on menus in my area, and in markets as of late....maybe this species is finally tempting the palettes of many a food lover.

Up until recently, you had to be a devoted gill hunter in order to capitalize on this outstanding renewable resource.....today, it's just a simple trip to the fish market!

Comment by dick tabbert on June 8, 2012 at 6:52am: I didn't have any idea this happened goes to show we can market just about anything. Very interesting piece Bill

Comment by John Sheehan on June 8, 2012 at 6:26am: Johnny Wilkins selling these to markets .He'd be a millionaire if he was .That man catches more fish than anyone .Kidding aside, I never saw Bluegill in a fish market around NJ. Bill, is this a recent trend as far as you know?

Comment by Greg McWilliams on June 8, 2012 at 4:10am: By Candian, LET OUR SUNFISH GROW!!!!!!

I don't want to figure the price per pound of the BLUEGILL I fillet!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on June 7, 2012 at 8:52pm: What's sad is the price...catfish fillets in our local stores run from $6.99 to $7.50 a pound. Tilapia are the same. Those are bargain prices for sunnies...but I'd still rather catch my own!

Comment by Bruce Condello on June 7, 2012 at 8:43pm: That's fascinating. You can bet I'da bought some!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on June 7, 2012 at 8:40pm: I have seen crappies in a few local markets over the years...big tidal slabs that I guess were a by-catch. I don't know the regs, but it does seem odd.

Comment by Bill "Musky" Modica on June 7, 2012 at 8:33pm: ......this surprised me as well....if you look closely at the first pic, the sign says...Wild Caught/Canadian...freaking pumpkinseeds!