Where to catch colorful bluegill and/or pumpkinseed?

[mainbutter]

In my attempts at making my own fishing lures, I'm going to give photo-finishing a try. I'd like to do "everything" from scratch, including photographing my own catch to use in the photo-finishing.

Anyone know of particularly good spots for good looking sunfish, or is that a silly enough goal that just about anywhere works?

Also I'm stuck shore fishing, and located in minneapolis.

[AlwysFshn]

I don't have any specific lakes to offer, but I do know that fish tend to take on the color of the water that they live in. Try to focus on lakes that are clear to find the best coloration.

[erickol]

I have caught some nice colored pumpkin seeds in the channel between Isles and cedar.... small mind you, but colorful. spring is a great time for vibrant colors.

[Scott M]

Yeah, spring season is the time to go as far as colors. I'd head up north, see if you can borrow a canoe or something...if you get stuck, head to some of the pier and shore access spots on Minnetonka. Plenty of panfish there.

[JBMasterAngler]

The clearer the lake the better. I've caught some really pretty pumpkinseeds out of big marine lake. But as already mentioned, spring is the best time.

[Esox_Magnum]

Wintertime West Okoboji in NW Iowa. Gin clear water and lots of gills, sight fishings a blast to in 20' of water.

[half-dutch]

The best colors will come from the males off the spawning beds. Bluegills are everywhere in the metro, and they have different color morphs as well. There are as many as three or four in Calhoun alone which is connected to Isles and Cedar. The little greenies are as widespread but tend to be more peripheral because they are often crowded out by the bigger species. For pumpkinseeds try Lake of the Isles; they favor weeds and soft bottoms even more than the other sunfish species. You will have to hunt a little more for the 'seeds, but all the rest are available from shore just about anywhere you go. Always the best colors will be in the bedding males.

[mainbutter]

sounds like springtime it is thanks!

[harvey lee]

Wintertime West Okoboji in NW Iowa. Gin clear water and lots of gills, sight fishings a blast to in 20' of water.

Been there once and the sight fishing was fun and the gills are nice sized. A return trip is on the agenda.