Lake Michigan (Waukegan/ Winthrop) (star) (star) (star) +: The lake calmed down after the strong winds and smaller boats were finally able to get out again. Most boats are out past the mud line, only a 15-minute run from the harbor. Most fish taken are coho, but those surprise kings have shown up. A 24 pound King was taken on Confusion Charters out of Winthrop Harbor. Most action Wednesday was in 70 to 90 feet of water. Bigger boats did go out to 175-plus feet on Thursday and did great with a mixed bag on kings , steelhead and coho. White, green and tinsel in the flies behind a dodger have been top producers. Small boats in front of Waukegan did very well Thursday.
Lake Michigan (Chicago) (star) (star) (star) (star): Perch season is closed in all Lake Michigan Illinois waters and rivers that feed the lake. Rock bass bluegill and even a few crappie have been doing well in in the harbors. Salmon trollers off the city are reporting very good catches of coho in 50 to 65 feet of water. Fish are hitting close to the surface and 35 feet down on spoons and flies on both downriggers and yellow birds.
Cook County Forest Preserves (star) (star) (star): The rain kept many anglers away, but from Wednesday on more fishermen were noted out working shoreline weeds for bluegill and bass. Saganashkee Slough: Carp action was impressive on log cast with corn for bait from the south shoreline. Small Catfish have been more active late in the day along the north shore. Maple Lake: Fair bluegill fishing on small baits like a twister tail or a wax worm. Lm. bass were hitting an Ike Con Beaver Tail or a Lil Mac Action worm worked along the weeds. Turtle Head: Bluegill action is still good after the weather settled down. Bass on plastic surface lures have taken some nice fish. Tampier Lake: Some anglers are doing well and others are having problems even getting a nibble. Reports of green sunfish, bluegills, carp, bullhead, yellow and largemouth bass. While a few have been keepers most have been on the smaller size.
Fox River (star) (star): The river is high and with the strong current fish close to shore or at a current break and you might be surprised at the smallmouth bass, bluegill and yellow bass that have been caught by shore anglers. Below Geneva Dam one angler caught 25 yellow bass fishing the current break with an 8-foot rod. Drum and catfish are also hitting nightcrawlers and other baits throughout the river just outside the strong current.
Chicago River (Downtown) (star) (star) +: Shore anglers fishing the south side of the river east of Michigan Avenue for carp with nightcrawlers were upset that smallmouth bass were not letting the baits get close to the bottom. Corn was the preferred baits for carp anglers with some fish in the 8-pound plus class being taken. Bluegill and small largemouth bass are being taken along the shore and near bridges.
Illinois River (star) (star) +: Strong drum fishing on nightcrawlers is still going on along the shoreline. River is clearing up which means more anglers will return to the area and reports will improve. Off the main river flow a simple jig and minnow is all that’s required to entice a few crappie, yellow bass, and rock bass to hit.
Heidecke (star) (star) +: Expect more fish to be pushed to the south side of the lake when they start running the plant later this week. Hybrid stripers are better early and late in the day. A number of these fish are in the 8- to 10-pound class. Smallmouth bass are holding around the center dike with a number of white and yellow bass mixed in. Catfish were feeding all over the lake on many bait offerings but action runs hot and cold. If you catch a tagged smallmouth, before releasing it note the number on the tag, the length and where you caught the fish and report it to the concession stand. You’ll get a dozen bass minnows free for your effort.
La Salle Lake (star) (star) (star) (star): Lake is very warm on the north side. Reports of temperatures up to 100 have come from anglers. Bluegill have been popping baits more on the southern end of the lake with red worms, waxies, crickets and Mini Mites. Shore anglers and boaters are both doing well but move around for more fish. Catfish were hitting most stink baits and nightcrawlers.
Kankakee River (star) (star) +: Use the same techniques that they use on Fox and other rivers to find fish in higher water. Cast along the shoreline not out into the current and pick up a few fish and then move to the next break. Catfish are the fish of choice for most shore anglers and doing well hitting a wide variety of baits. Anglers are still reporting some smallmouth bass and rock bass as active. Crappie and largemouth bass are holding near wood in the water and in slack water locations throughout the river and the Des Plaines Conservation Area.
Shelbyville (star) (star) (star): Lake levels are low and can be a problem in some areas. Crappie action is fair on small minnows and or tinsel jigs near shoreline brush off the main lake or in the trees along the shore in 10 to 12 feet of water. Below the main dam catfish, muskie and white bass are all seen but lower numbers of muskie are noted. Largemouth bass are good on plastics and crank baits close to shore near weeds early and late in the day. Bluegills are the most active fish and best on wax worms close in.
Shabbona Lake (star) (star) (star): Crappie are active on many small baits in the fish cribs and trees. Bluegill action is still all close to shore this week work the weeds and pockets in the weeds. Smallmouth bass are popping minnows and crank baits that look like a crayfish along the shore but in a little deeper water. Catfish are better then fair and improving all over the lake; nightcrawlers, chicken livers and dead minnows have all worked.
Chain O Lakes, (star) (star) +: There is still a no-wake restriction all over the Chain. If you can row a boat, or paddle a canoe fish all the regular spots and you might just find some great fishing. Many areas have not been hit by fishermen in boats in a while. Walleye are doing well for shore anglers by bridges and points late in the day or after dark. Crappie and bluegill are still very active around piers and sea walls. Use a small jig tipped with a wax worm or spike for best results. Catfish have been excellent at times hitting stink bait now.
Western Michigan Shoreline (star) (star) (star): Salmon anglers are out in 30 to 70 feet of water and picking up some good catches of fish. Boats that ran out to 200 feet of water did poorly.
Kalamazoo River (W. Mich.) (star) (star) (star): Smallmouth bass are active around the piers on live bait and artificials. Further up river off the main current, bluegill are seen making beds.
Muskegon (Mich.) (star) (star) (star): Salmon anglers are now working the area between Muskegon and Whitehall. Trollers are in 95 to 140 feet of water and running their baits down 80 feet.
Boulder Junction (Wis.) (star) (star) (star): Look for the greenest weeds in the lakes, and that’s where the walleye are hiding. Crappie action is good and because of cooler water spawning has been slowed. This will keep the fish close to spawning areas. Bluegill seem to be running hot and cold. Stay with small baits, light line and small bobbers.
Eagle River (Wis.) (star) (star) (star) (star): Walleye action has been very good and many anglers are taking fish in size and numbers to brag about. Northern pike are popping anything that has a silver shine to it near the weeds in shallow water. Crappie are slower this week then last but they will return when the water warms up a little bit. For the muskie hunters, look to tops of weeds in 7 to 8 feet of water.
Lake Geneva (Wis.) (star) (star) (star): Anglers are picking smallmouth bass off their beds that they hold on to protect them. Anglers were seen from Geneva Bay down to Cedar Point. Crappie were found by some anglers suspended in 5 to 6 feet of water near Cisco Bay. Walleye reports are difficult to find but a few anglers report that the fish are very spooky and should be found off the flats. A crank bait on a long lead is what you need to use to entice a bite. Most of the green slime on the lake is now gone.
Lake Winnebago (Wis.) (star) (star) +: Walleye action is slow with so much bait fish in the lake right now. Some white bass action is still noted but more anglers are looking toward other fish right now.
