Anglers working with live bait off the rocks, pier and the power plant have taken brown trout and coho. Trollers, weather permitting, have done well with tinsel flies close to shore. East winds may cause problems for trollers for the next day but will improve by weekend. Power liners off the rocks are going with nightcrawlers and spawn sacs. Smelt have been reported taken in varying numbers.
LAKE MICHIGAN (CHICAGO) (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)
Smelt fishing is open in the Chicago Park District properties with better than expected catches reported. Some anglers have taken a couple hundred fish for a few hours of smelting. We have verified 1/2 to a full five-gallon bucket by some netters. While not everyone is doing great fish have been taken all over. Montrose, south of McCormick Place, and 31st Street have been good areas. East winds and rain pushed many people off the water but weekend could be very good with better weather. Because of storm damage some areas are not open to fishing. The area from the Shedd Aquarium to the 12th Street beach house is closed to smelt fishing because of construction. Salmon: Powerliners have done fair to good at times with nightcrawlers close to the surface.
COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES (STAR) (STAR) +
Busse Lake: Rains have muddied the water a little. Crappie and bluegill are popping around the middle dam off the rocks. Largemouth bass are improving, with one 5 1/2-pounder verified and caught on a nightcrawler. North Pool does not get muddy after a rain and could be the best place to try first. Below the main dam more walleye were taken prior to the rain. It might take a day or two to improve again, then fish will be back. Tampier Lake: Rain slowed fishermen not the fish. Best to try the shoreline east of the culvert on the south side of 131st Street. Axehead, Sag Quarry East and Belleau are open to trout fishing Saturday morning. Small lakes all across the district seem to be improving.
DUPAGE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES (STAR) (STAR)
More lakes are reporting improving action on lakes. Deep Quarry stocked trout were the most active fish for shore anglers using small hooks.
FOX RIVER (STAR) +
River came up with the rain. Crappie and white bass that were being picked up by anglers fishing the shoreline seemed to move to areas out of the main current. A jig and minnow is used more than any other bait now. Weekend should be better.
ROCK RIVER (STAR) +
River still up and area rains have been heavy. Anglers below dams are reporting slow action. Some catfish action is being reported from Dixon to Sterling. Crappie should be doing better but fish have scattered to get out of the strong current.
ILLIANA (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)
Lake Michigan trollers are picking up brown trout and coho in the top six feet in good numbers, weather permitting. Powerliners did better this week from Calumet Park, weather permitting. Flies, minnow imitators and some spoons have done well for coho and an occasional brown trout.
WOLF LAKE (STAR) (STAR) +
Warming shallow waters seem to be pulling in bluegill and crappie for shore fishermen. Some anglers are using medium golden roaches for walleye but are getting a few largemouth bass this week.
CHAIN O’ LAKES (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)
Catfish are good on Fox, Grass, Channel, Marie and Pistakee. Muskie have started to increase in numbers caught and in follow-ups. Better lakes have been Channel, Catherine and Bluff. Crappie are still active off main lake backwater areas. A jig and minnow under a slip bobber could be a hot bite by weekend. Bluegill and crappie are still mixed in together around branches, trees and other objects. Walleye have been good in current areas and main points in lakes. Most fish were caught in 2 to 3 feet of water so keep your baits shallow. Bluegill and crappie are mixed in together around branches, trees and other objects.
KANKAKEE RIVER (STAR)
Water levels are continuing to drop so more fishermen should look to weekend for better fishing. Wilmington Dam: Rain has brought some mud back into the river. Stripers moved up to the dam but there is room for improvement. Smallmouth bass should be aggressive this week but rain kept fishermen away.
REND LAKE (S. ILL.) (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)
Crappie are doing better from last week. Chartreuse jigs have taken a number of fish from shoreline brush and in bays off the main lake. Channel catfish are excellent on nightcrawlers and chicken livers.
ILLINOIS RIVER (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)
It’s the beginning of some solid white bass fishing. Jig and minnows, blade baits, white and chartreuse jigs were taking the most fish. Sauger and walleye are popping off the Peru Flats on a jig and minnow.
DES PLAINES RIVER (WEST SUBURBS) (STAR)
A few large northern pike are being taken below Hoffman Dam. River has come up again and it should be better by weekend. All feeder creeks are high.
SHABBONA LAKE (STAR) (STAR)
Fishing pressure was low this week. One angler had a four fish catfish stringer that weighted 21.5 lbs. A few crappies were taken in the brush piles and cribs. Small bluegill and walleye were taken in the northeast corner. Also try the no motor area and deep trees to try. Jig and minnows or wax worm are two good choices. Water temperatures are beginning to warm up now so fish should move closer to shore.
SHELBYVILLE (STAR) +
Rain has still brought up water levels and lake is still muddy. Local guides are working high into creek mouths to find a few active fish.
WILLOW SLOUGH (IND.) (STAR) (STAR)
Bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass have been aggressive. Catfish action has been a little slow but should improve.
EAGLE RIVER (WIS.) (STAR)
Ice is poor and many lakes are opening up across northern Wisconsin.
WISCONSIN RIVER (DELLS DAM) (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)
Walleye are active but size is still small. Water temperatures have continued to rise, which has turned on the smaller walleye. Larger fish must still be holding back. A jig and minnow or a Lindy rig are preferred choices. Use a bright colored jig and live bait.
WINNEBAGO (WIS.) (STAR) +
We’re starting to see more improvement but conditions for the weekend should be better.
WOLF RIVER (WIS.) (STAR) (STAR) +
Freemont: Walleye have been on and off. One day anglers did well, the next fishing was poor. Plan more than a one-day trip to increase your odds of getting into fish.
ROOT RIVER (WIS.) (STAR) +
River levels are up. Many anglers will wait for the river to begin to fall.
MILWAUKEE RIVER/HARBOR (WIS.) (STAR) (STAR)
Brown trout in Milwaukee Harbor and most other harbors are the most active fish. River is not fishable. Some smelt have been taken in the nets in Milwaukee Harbor.
PIKE RIVER (WIS.) (STAR) (STAR) (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)
Sucker run is on and the fishing is great!
KALAMAZOO RIVER (W. MICH.) (STAR) (STAR)
Steelhead are fair in the river along with red horse suckers. Some anglers are also getting a few crappie in the backwaters.
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Look for Chauncey Niziol on CLTV’s “Sports Page” at 9 p.m. Thursdays. Additional outdoor information can be found in the Great Outdoors section of Digital City Online on your America Online service (keyword: COL Outdoors) or call 976-HOOK, the fishing information line. e-mail at ChaunceyN @aol.com
