Fall more properly settles in for this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.
There is some rain here and coming, so rivers may spark some more; I don’t think it will be enough rain to blow things out. There’s white bass going in the rivers and with the increased flow would expect walleye and sauger to improve.
And inland lakes have some quality fall bass and crappie fishing.
The MFR appears in a condensed form Wednesdays on the Sun-Times outdoors page.
Topper photo came Bruce Zolna on an outing on the Wolf River, a good fall fishing trip in Wisconsin, with guide Bill Stoeger earlier this month. The Wolf near Fremont is right now in that phase of being able to catch both walleye and white bass; some days crappie in the brush, too.
ILLINOIS’ FALL TROUT
Still hearing some decent reports, such as Wes Serafin and his son catching some while fly fishing Rock Creek.
Daily bag is five, inland trout stamps and fishing licenses are required for those 16 and older. Here is the list of nearby sites, including the ones not on the state list: Axehead, Belleau, Busse North, Horsetail, Green, Wolf (Cook County); Silver Pickerel, Grove (DuPage); Bird Park Quarry, Rock Creek (Kankakee); Big Lake at Silver Springs SFWA (Kendall); Sand Lake at Illinois Beach SP and Banana (Lake); Spring Grove Hatchery Pond (McHenry): Lake Strini, Van Horn Woods (Will). Click here for the statewide press release on the fall trout season.
SALMON SNAGGING
Very few being reported, though Stacey Greene at Park Bait said there was a small spurt of snagging Saturday night at Lincoln Park.
Snagging for Chinook and coho is open only at Lincoln Park lagoon south of Fullerton, Waukegan Harbor north basin, Winnetka Power Plant discharge, and Jackson Park inner and outer harbors.
AREA LAKES
Crappie are the top bite going, but so are fall largemouth bass.
As Ken “Husker” O’ Malley noted when he sent this:
Hey Dale,
Area lakes are producing some quality bass midday. Sunny days have been best using a chartreuse and white chatterbait worked along the inside weedlines. Bigger bass have been up very shallow on sunny days. Throwing the bait parallel to the weedlines was key to keep the bait in the strike zone longer.
TTYL
–
Ken “Husker” O’Malley
Huskeroutdoors
Waterworks fishing team
AREA WATER LEVELS
Go to http://water.weather.gov//ahps2/index.php?wfo=lot to check area water levels and projection. To get to more specific gauges, even on creeks, in Illinois, go to http://waterdata.usgs.gov/il/nwis/current/?type=flow
CENTRAL WISCONSIN
Hooksetter’s Guide Service, via Creative Brilliance, sent this:
(Head): Big walleyes and crappies hitting, with a slight slowdown in musky action. Duck and geese hunters having a banner year, with the deer rut coming on; all in and amidst the lakes and the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau).
Fishing has been good despite the warm-up we recently had causing a temporary slow-down in musky fishing. There is no need for concern as cooler forecasted temperatures will turn those big fish back on. Walleyes have taken the place of the musky though with great catches being made on some super-sized walleyes this past week. In addition to the outstanding walleye bite we have had very consistent crappie and bass action. Most of the fishing is taking place in deeper water (10 to 14 feet or more) with surrounding structure that is holding the majority of the fish right now. Jigs tipped with minnows or plastics has been working well on the walleyes and crappies as well as small to medium sized crankbaits.
HUNTING REPORT:
Hunters are having a good start to the season. Ducks and geese are moving down from northern locations and hunters are having a banner year putting them on the ground. Deer hunters are really enjoying the season so far with a few nice bucks being seen and taken, and with the rut only a few weeks away things are definitely going to start heating up. For you guys just entering the woods start by looking for locations that are near feeding grounds with heavy doe populations. As the rut nears these areas are going to become big buck magnets as they will be in search of does.
CHAIN O’LAKES AREA
Arden Katz said bluegill are good shallow on the south end of Channel, while he found white bass and crappie fair at best. He thought true turnover might help. Greg Dickson at Triangle Sports & Marine said that the rain should kick the walleye bite in at current areas; some crappie in main lake areas; the muskie bite should turn on better if cold ever comes.
Check Chain updates at Fox Waterway Agency or by calling (847) 587-8540.
For more reports, see http://www.foxlakefishing.com/
CHICAGO RIVER
No update.
COOLING LAKES/STRIP PITS
MAZONIA: Closed for season, except Monster Lake at Mazonia South, which is open year-round. Lakes are open daily 6 a.m.-sunset. HEIDECKE: Closed for season. BRAIDWOOD: Closed for season. LaSALLE: Closed for the season.
DELAVAN/LAKE GENEVA AREA, WISCONSIN
No update. I will try and get this up and going again by next week.
DES PLAINES RIVER
Marcus Benesch sent this:
Dale,
Attended the annual Piketoberfest up in Lake County over the weekend. There were a total of 16 kayaks out there and over 50 pike were landed amongst the group. A 33″ and a 32″ being the biggest of the day. Pike were hitting just about everything, but was surprised to see how well bladed baits are still doing. Pike still hanging in their usual slack water laydowns and weedlines.
Marcus Benesch
River Grove, IL
DOWNSTATE NOTES
EVERGREEN: Bait shop is closed. Larry Dozard of larrysfishinghole.com sent this:
A SOUTHERN PART OF EVERGREEN LAKE – AROUND DEER ISLAND and ALL OF SIX-MILE CREEK BAY IS CLOSED TO GAS MOTORS from Oct. 15th through JAN. 1st to allow resting areas for migratory waterfowl. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO STILL RUN A TROLLING MOTOR IN THESE AREAS ONLY.-
SPRING LAKE: Larry Dozard of larrysfishinghole.com sent this:
SPRING LAKE (South & North) -* THIS AREA WILL BE CLOSED TO BOAT FISHING in Hunting Area ON OCT. 17th with Last Day to Boat Fish being Oct. 16th – with BANK FISHING ALLOWED ONLY AFTER 1pm–AREAS THAT REMAIN OPEN TO BOATS ARE NORTH OF MAPLE ISLAND with ramp at north end at the Sky Ranch Road launch and IN PIKE HOLE with carry in boats –
HENNEPIN CANAL: Thom Matejewski at Illinois Valley Outdoors said good bluegill and crappie are going, especially around the culverts. EMIQUON: Because of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s shutdown, fishing and boating permits will be done at the launch. Call (309) 547-2730. HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed for the season. Will reopen to fishing in 2016 with a much expanded format. SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Ken Wilson Guide Service. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing POWERTON LAKE: Closed to fishing. Shore fishing on Dec. 21. Boat fishing reopens Feb. 15. McMASTER LAKE at SNAKEDEN HOLLOW: Closed to fishing until Feb. 1,
Larry Dozard of larrysfishinghole.com sent this on some closures Downstate:
SANGCHRIS LAKE -* THE WEST and EAST ARMS OF LAKE and Small AREA NEAR DAM ARE CLOSED DURING WATERFOWL SEASON to boat traffic effective Oct. 14th (last day to boat fish will be Oct. 13th) through Jan. 31, 2016 (during this time fishing boat traffic is permitted in the center hot arm only).
ANDERSON LAKE - - - THIS AREA IS CLOSED TO BOAT FISHING in Main Lake from Oct. 16th through Dec. 22nd during waterfowl season with bank fishing Only allowed.
BANNER MARSH - ** THIS AREA WILL CLOSE TO BOAT FISHING Oct. 14th (last day to boat fish will be Oct. 13th) –AND BANK FISHING ONLY ALLOWED AFTER 1PM but NO FISHING ALLOWED in EAST POINT ACCESS AREA, which is CLOSED TO ALL FISHING to provide a GOOSE REFUGE AREA during season till Feb. 1st – -
PRAIRIE LAKE in Jim Edgar/ Panther Creek State F&W Area - - Lake is CLOSED to Fishing from Nov. 1st – Jan. 15th until After 12:01 PM on Wednesdays and Saturday.
CLINTON LAKE - REMEMBER an easterly area of Clinton Lake between the DeWitt (CH14) and the 48 bridges is CLOSED FROM OCT. 10th through MARCH 31st to protect fish and wildlife…
NEWTON LAKE - As written in the fishing regs booklet : ** The cold arm of Newton Lake shall be Closed daily from one-half hour before sunrise until 1:00 pm to all fishing and boat traffic except for legal waterfowl hunters during waterfowl season commencing with regular duck season through the close of the Canada goose and regular duck season.
* For here – Regular South Waterfowl Season: Nov. 14 – Jan. 31
DuPAGE RIVER
No update.
FOX RIVER
No update.
GREEN BAY
No update from Lance LaVine at Howie’s Tackle in Sturgeon Bay.
The Wisconsin DNR posts a report, typically updated on Tuesdays at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/OutdoorReport.html
ILLINOIS RIVER
Thom Matejewski at Illinois Valley Outdoors said the best bite going is crappie (up to 12 inches); otherwise white bass are good at the I-39 bridge on bladebaits cast toward shore; sauger are good from Senachwine to Starved Rock, best is trolling in 8-10 feet, but some are being caught jigging, too.
Illinois Valley Outdoors is open in Spring Valley. The phone is (815) 663-1000.
INDIANA STREAMS
Access points for Trail Creek can be found on the Trail Creek Access Map.
KANKAKEE RIVER
Norm Minas sent this:
The river finally got below normal flow rate by a sconch . Water temps in 50′s, extremely clear, algae still in usual places, leaves still a minor deal . Waterfowl season is here, please stay clear of the blinds . Lots of animal, bird and bug activity. Shad bite is on .
One trip , I’m headed out to fish the shad bite out by mid river humps with magnum flukes. I get there and see a sparse bug hatch going on out on a flat , switch to a rattlebait, figuring Ma is giving me a hint. Nada, switch to paddle tail fluke , nope, back to the magnum fluke , nada, struck out on three curves . I see an eagle swoop down grab a shad by the humps, then a fishing chasing a shad across the face of the hump, back to plan A. This time it’s the real deal, fine time, numbers and size with smallmouth .
Another trip , start by trying to get the rust off my blade bait fishing . Not so gouda, one fish. I’m not sure if it’s my rust, the wrong lure in the right place or the right lure in the wrong place. I decide to scratch an itch and fish a buzzbait the rest of the trip . got some fish, buzzbait worked in a bit more than half the spots I tried it , no complaints .
Magnum flukes by midstream humps for smallmouth on the remaining trips I catch fish. On the trips I didn’t catch fish, I was left wondering if dynamite would have worked .
peace
norm
Ken “Husker” O’ Malley sent this:
Hey Dale,
Managed to get out to the Kankakee as well. River is low and clear with some areas still having significant moss on the bottom. Crankbaits (when possible because of the moss), top water (chug bug), and plastics (Erie darter) on a 1/0 keeper hook where the best baits for smallmouth. Fish are scattered still, so being mobile and not spending too much time in one spot was key.
TTYL
–
Ken “Husker” O’Malley
Huskeroutdoors
Waterworks fishing team
LAKE ERIE
The Ohio DNR has general Lake Erie info and a fishing report.
LAKE KOSHKONONG, WISCONSIN
No update.
LAKEFRONT
For snagging, see top. A few trout are being caught, and just a few salmon by casters from shore. Stacey Greene at Park Bait said the surprise is some nice pike being caught in the harbors.
MADISON CHAIN, WISCONSIN
Check reports from Gene Dellinger at D&S Bait.
MENOMINEE RIVER, WISCONSIN
Check with Mike Mladenik at Mike Mladenik Guide Service.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN
MINOCQUA: Kurt Justice of Kurt’s Island Sport Shop sent this:
Minocqua Area Fishing Report 10/27/2015
Despite some cold nights (temps dipping into frost time) daily average temperatures have been a few degrees above normal, leaving the lakes cool downs in a holding pattern. Almost daily changes in the wind direction, more so temperature change, have been the deciding factor in angler’s success. The consistent water temps have actually helped anglers stay on good bite patterns… when wind allows.
Muskie: Good-Very Good. With water temps barely moving, good temperature range for continued feeding. Sucker quick strike rigs still accounting for a good number of fish. Spinner rigs (quick set) a good choice to add flash and vibration. Crank and twitch baits (Depth Raiders and Cranes) have actually out produced live bait in many boats reporting this past weekend.
Walleye: Good. Some days very good, some days not (winds from S.W. led to best bites) 3-4” minnows red tails, blacks, suckers and muds all producing well. On flowages where walleyes feeding on bullheads and frogs, muds have shown to be a preference. On deeper lakes it’s been hit or miss with deeper fish taking larger 4-6” minnows in 34-45’ of water.
Crappie: Good. Deep wood or cribs best. Medium fatheads on 1/16- 1/8 oz. jigs or white 2” twister tails. Big fish of 12-14” reported with good numbers by days end of searching.
Smallmouth Bass: Good. Relating to deep rocks or wood. Most fish being caught by walleye anglers using chubs. The few bass anglers reporting fish using 4” tubes in brown colors to mimic sculpin.
Northern Pike: Good. Most being caught by anglers targeting Musky or Walleye Feeding up for the coming cold.
Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill: Few reports.
The consistent surface temps (48 to 54 degrees) have been nice for putting some bite patterns together. The forecast for snow / rain for Wed / Thurs (10/28 to 10/29) will cool waters down, but more highs in the 50’s come Friday and Saturday should level things back out.
Also, anglers reporting Whitefish staying deep outside traditional spawning areas being caught on Swedish Pimples.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports
www.kurtsislandsports.com
EAGLE RIVER: This report came the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, based on Creative Brilliance interviews with Eagle River guide “Muskie Matt” and legendary George Langley of Eagle Sports Center and hunting enthusiast Dan Anderson:
(Head): Fair to good action for musky, walleye, northern, smallmouth bass and panfish; all in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.
Water temps in the Eagle River area are in the lower to mid 50s.
MUSKY: Use a medium to large sucker (12-18 inches) or a double 10 bucktail. Fish the deepest weed edges you can find on any particular lake. Remember to always do a “figure 8″ as the bait nears your boat. All day action, and the bite is fair to good.
WALLEYE: Fish 15=30 feet off of the deepest breaks. The walleye are tight to bottom. Use a jig and a minnow. All day bite, and the action is fair to good.
NORTHERN: Fish the deepest weed edges you can find. Use an inline spinner, spooner or chub under a slip bobber. Action is fair to good. All day bite.
SMALLMOUTH BASS: Fish hardbottom/rocks in 15 feet of water. Use a jig and a minnow. All day bite, and the action is fair.
PANFISH: Crappies are suspending and schooling in 15-30 feet of water in mid lake basins. Use a minnow on a jig or under a slip bobber. All day action and the bite is good. Bluegills have moved a bit deeper and now can be found in weeds in 6-10 feet of water. Use a jig or slip bobber with a red worm. All day action and the bite is good Perch are tight to bottom in 15-20 feet of water. Use a jig or slip bobber with a minnow or red worm. All day action and the bite is good.
FLY FISHING: With untold numbers of rushing streams, brooks and rivers, Eagle River provides wonderful opportunities for fly anglers of every ilk. And for the adventure of a lifetime go for gamefish with a fly rod on one of the Eagle River area’s hundreds of lakes. Eagle River guide guru, and 35 year avid fly angler for musky, George Langley, tells us that it’s a memorable experience for fly anglers, but realistically you must be able to double-haul cast and attain distances of 70-90 feet on your cast.
NORTHWEST INDIANA
Waiting on perch reports. Staff at Mik-Lurch said only a few salmon being caught.
ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin DNR Root River Report is generally posted on Tuesday.
ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN
Little to update.
ST. JOSEPH RIVER, INDIANA
Click here for reports from the Indiana DNR.
SHABBONA LAKE
Staff at Lakeside said crappie are both in the shallow cribs and in the deep trees; muskie remain active.
Lakeside is open 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m. For more information and reports from Lakeside, go to shabbonalake.com or call (815) 824-2581.
SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin DNR posts a report at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/OutdoorReport.html. It is usually posted by Tuesday afternoon. Stream flow info is at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/current?type=flow.
WOLF LAKE
No update.
WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN
Guide Bill Stoeger said this continues to be a good time, even an excellent one, to catch both walleye and white bass in the Fremont area. For the walleye, he said a jig and minnow has been the best method in the Partridge Lake area; for the white bass, he is doing best down river, especially from Orihula to the mouth, with river rigs and minnows.