Lots of stuff is starting to go around Chicago fishing: bass in local ponds, crappie in many spots, white bass on the Illinois River and even some up north on the Wolf River.
All of that is in this sprawling raw-file version of the Midwest Fishing Report, which appears much condensed Wednesdays on the Sun-Times outdoors page.
That’s Mike Starcevich at the top with a double of yellow perch at Gary Light on Saturday.
LAKEFRONT COHO, PERCH, OTHERS
Capt. Bob Poteshman of Confusion Charters said “Salmon are good, scattered by Waukegan, North Point, Gary, off Chicago. Everybody is getting some fish. Nobody is creaming them, but every is getting some. You have to put in time.’’ He favors Dodgers and flies over crankbaits. CHICAGO: Still whitefish at Belmont (remember Solomon David at the Shedd Aquarium would like heads for research, click here for details), and browns and nice lakers. Staff at Park Bait said coho slowed some from shore, but some being caught. WAUKEGAN: Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop texted that boats trolling shallow with flies taking coho and a few browns, powerliners taking browns. INDIANA: Mike Starcevich at Mik-Lurch texted that he, Tommy Zeman and John Hobbs caught nice perch on perch flies and large fatheads in 48 feet at Gary Light Saturday; action slowed some since then but perch are there. Otherwise, more kings at Michigan City.
SMELT NETTING
Finally some reports, all from Belmont over the weekend: Heard of pulls of 20 to as many as 70.
The prospects are as down as they have been, as indicated in a brief preview in the Sun-Times outdoors. Regulations on the Chicago lakefront are the same: Nets may go in at 7 p.m., no alcohol and netters must be out of the parks by 1 a.m.
AREA LAKES
The big news is that bass are starting to go, as are some crappie, too, just about everywhere around the area.
Johnny “Sunshine” Pajak sent this:
Dale,
Just a quick update for the DuPage area lakes. Been catching some bass on the windward side of the lakes throwing small bluegill patterned crankbaits reeled in very slowly.
Johnny sunshine
Ken “Husker” O’Malley sent this:
Hey Dale,
Area lakes are finally starting to heat up for bass. Bait of choice was the new Rapala shadow rap. A twitch, twitch, twitch pause cadence triggered smaller bass along inside weed lines. Very cool bait as it rolls on its side with the pause imitating a dying minnow. Water temps are still on the cool side, but they will warm quickly with the rains we have been getting.
–
Ken “Husker” O’Malley
Huskeroutdoors
Waterworks fishing team
There might be some trout around yet. Here is the list of sites in Chicago-area, including the sites stocked by forest preserves and the IDNR: Area waters include Axehead, Belleau, Green, Wolf lakes (Cook County); Grove, Pickerel, Silver lakes (DuPage); Bird Park Quarry, Rock Creek in Kankakee River SP (Kankakee); Big Lake at Silver Springs SFWA (Kendall); Banana, Sand Lake at Illinois Beach SP (Lake); Lake Atwood, Piscasaw Creek (McHenry); Lake Milliken (Will). Click here for the statewide information on regulations and sites (however, it does not list the sites stocked by forest preserves).
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 sent this:
(Head): Great walleye bite as anglers head out for the first open water
fishing of the season; all in and amidst the lakes and the Wisconsin River
in Wisconsin¹s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau).
Great action in the central Wisconsin area for anglers as they head out to
open water for the first few times of the season.
The walleye bite (despite low water) has been exceptionally good so far this
season with not only numbers of fish but some real lunkers, too. Most of
the action has been in the deeper pools on the main Wisconsin River system.
By targeting water depths of 14 to 20 feet we have been able to take
advantage of remaining fish that are still holding in their traditional
wintering pools. Most of these fish are the smaller males that run anywhere
from 12 to 17 inches but there are a lot of them. If you are interested
in getting into the larger fish, they are for the most part found by working
shallower locations. We typically target water depths of 3 to 8 feet when
searching for big spring walleyes. Jig and minnow combinations work as well
as do diving crankbaits like Rapala Shad Raps and Berkley Flicker Shads.
CHAIN O’LAKES AREA
Greg Dickson at Triangle said some quality walleye being caught, numbers should improve as post-spawn builds; crappie still strong in the channels,.more bass are being caught and catfish bottom fishing with crawlers.
For more reports, see http://www.foxlakefishing.com/
Check Chain updates from at the Fox Waterway Agency or by calling (847) 587-8540.
CHICAGO RIVER
No updates this week.
COOLING LAKES/STRIP PITS
LaSALLE: Best fishing–blue catfish and hybrid stripers–in the area goes on from boats and shore. Some outstanding action some days on blues and hybrids. Hours are 6 a.m. to sunset daily. There is a concessionaire with bait and food options. HEIDECKE: Water remains cool, 54 degrees on Sunday, probably another weekto peak for walleye. Click here for my preview in on the March 29 Sun-Times, which is very encouraging. Launch opens at 6 a.m., shore fishing at 6:30 a.m. Close is sunset. It is open daily. BRAIDWOOD: Lake is open daily 6 a.m.-sunset. MAZONIA: Jon at Jon’s Bait said there are better catches of crappie being reported; some are looking for the big redear at Ponderosa but none so far.
DELAVAN/LAKE GENEVA AREA
Arden Katz said good bluegill and crappie are being caught in channels with small jigs and spikes or waxies a foot under a float. Brian Gates at Geneva Lake Bait and Tackle said boaters are taking bluegill in the Abbey.
DES PLAINES RIVER
No report this week.
DOWNSTATE NOTES
REND LAKE: Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing said crappie are in the bushes, some bass, too. LAKE OF EGYPT: Johns said some crappie are shallow on cork and minnows; bass are going on spinner baits or buzzbaits. EVERGREEN: Mike Steffa sent these reminders:
NEW SAUGEYE (WALLEYE HYBRID) REGULATIONS FOR EVERGREEN LAKE
Starting April 1, 2015 the following new regulations will take affect for Saugeye (Walleye Hybrid) on Evergreen Lake:
Minimum Length Limit – 18″ Daily Creel Limit – 3 Fish/Day
Evergreen Lake Bait Shop & Boat Rental Opens Saturday, April 4, 2015!
The Evergreen Lake Bait Shop & Boat Rental will open this Saturday, April 4, 2015! Hours are as follows:
Bait Shop: Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. & Friday – Sunday from 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Boat Rental: Open ONLY Friday – Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Expanded Hours Beginning Memorial Day Weekend!
Thank you,
Mike
SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Ken Wilson Guide Service. POWERTON: Both shore and boat fishing are open. Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Lakes will reopen this year at an undecided date. EMIQUON: Call (309) 547-2730.
DuPAGE RIVER
No report this week.
FOX RIVER
No update this week.
GREEN BAY
No update this week 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
Joe Sanderson messaged that white bass are going around Starved Rock on bladebaits; there’s still some sauger with eggs. River was 55 degrees, dropping and 12 inches of clarity.
Staff at Illinois Valley Outdoors agreed on sauger still be caught and white bass starting, and some crappie by bridge pilings. River levels are fine.
Illinois Valley Outdoors (in the former Time on the Water Outdoors buildings) at Spring Valley is now open with basics, including bait, crankbaits and plastics at 5 a.m. 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:
multiple trips, river generally lower than normal flow, very clear, temps mid 50′s to low 60′s. algae all over the bottom in many stretches, forget about working a lure down there. last few trips the stuff is floating throughout the water column, picking a lot of green off the lures
weather variable from excellent sunny days with little wind to windy and rainy .
I haven’t thought about walleyes as the smallmouth action has been great. picking up some real nice channel cats as well.
some days a J-9 floating Rapala was the best choice, other days too windy for accurate casting with balsa lures. size 8 rapala x rap minnows where really working well until all the algae floating made it too much of a hassle. rattlebaits still catching fish in the algae flow but your fingers get awfully green. singlespins were also a viable option but cleaning out the ball bearing swivel, clevis and skirts eats up your time with a lure in the water the last few trips.
swimbaits, sluggos and flukes are about the best option now as they are catching fish and cleaning them is relatively easy .
the river could stand a good flushing right now, not enough to put homes in danger but at least blow out as much algae as possible .
peace
norm
LAKE ERIE
Prospects look good for walleye and perch this year; smallmouth fair but improving. Click here for update. The Ohio DNR has general Lake Erie info and a fishing report.
LAKEFRONT
See report at top.
MADISON CHAIN, WISCONSIN
Gene Dellinger at D&S Bait said there’s some bluegill and crappie in Monona Bay and catfish on the north end of Mendota.
MENOMINEE RIVER, WISCONSIN
Mike Mladenik of Mike Mladenik Guide Service emailed:
Most of the river is ice-free and the river is rising due to the much needed rain. That will mean excellent smallmouth fishing right from the start.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN
Kurt Justice of Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua sent this:
The pond behind the shop went ice free on 4/10. Typically this means Lake Minocqua will be ice free in 7-10 days. Thanks to temps cracking 70 degrees, lots of sun and high winds, Lake Minocqua is more than 50% ice free already. Many other lakes are already open and with a forecast of daytime highs in the 50’s and 60′s, conditions look good for a nice early season warm up.
A few anglers in the Lakeland area are testing the open water from piers or small boats for crappie, with not much to report. Down in the Tomahawk area is where most of the best reports are for walleyes and perch below the dams.
Keep in mind, this will be the first opener in three years the lake will be ice free! We will start the season with a 3 walleye per lake bag limit on all of the lakes (except Minocqua chain with a zero bag limit) in the Ceded Territories. The daily possession limit is still five walleyes, but if a daily limit is what you are after, you only have to fish 2 lakes versus the 3 or more lakes needed last year.
As we get boats on the lakes, we will report some surface temps.
Thanks,
Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, Wi
EAGLE RIVER: This report came the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, based on Creative Brilliance interviews with Eagle River guides “Muskie Matt” of Wild Eagle Lodge, “Ranger Rick” Krueger of Guide¹s Choice Pro Shop, Mat Hegy; and Eagle River hunting enthusiast, Dan Anderson:
(Head): While some anglers are still going out on select lakes, the general
ice conditions dictate that we call an end to the ice fishing season. Wild
turkey hunting season starts on April 15; all in the Eagle River, Wisconsin
area.
Yes, there are still some lakes that are still safe enough to get out on,
but our guide sources tell us that it’s the time of year to put away your
augers and shelters, and prepare for the open water season which begins
Saturday, May 2, 2015. Generally (appearances can be very deceiving) ice
conditions are quickening in their erosion, thinning, and cracking. Now’s
the time to be smart, and simply “call it a day” as they say.
We will keep you closely posted on ice-out, and how lakes are progressing in
the Eagle River area, so stay tuned, get your boat, trailers, and tackle
ready, and May 2nd will be the start of another legendary open water fishing
season in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.
NORTHWEST INDIANA
Lakefront report at the top. Ed McCain at Mik-Lurch said
ROCK RIVER, WISCONSIN
Brian Gates from Geneva Lake Bait & Tackle said
ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin DNR Root River Report is generally posted on Tuesday.
ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN
Capt. Eric Condor of Big Bird Charters at Tackle Haven said fishing was great until Friday’s weather; should rebound soon for coho and some steelhead from boats; otherwise spawn is also taking some whitefish and browns off the piers.
ST. JOSEPH RIVER, INDIANA
Click here for reports from the Indiana DNR.
SHABBONA LAKE
Clint Sands at Lakeside said astonishing numbers of smallmouth bass were caught over the weekend; largemouth also picking up as water warms to mid-50s; muskie are also active.
Lakeside is open 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
For information and reports from Lakeside, go to shabbonalake.com or call (815) 824-2581.
SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin DNR report is at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/OutdoorReport.html. They are generally 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 walleye are good casting shorelines with Rapalas or Shad Raps or river rigs; water was 49 Tuesday and some white bass were being caught on river rigs; water needs to warm a few more degrees for white bass to really go.