Snagging reports are slow. Most anglers are now returning to bait for trout and salmon in and out of the harbors.
Lake Michigan (Waukegan/Winthrop Harbor) **+
Perch anglers have fish willing to hit a minnow worked from 3 feet down to the bottom. Anglers working with light gear have found an occasional brown trout. Boats are still going out for lake trout and salmon. Small boats are working close to shore at times for brown trout or steelhead, but a number are carrying minnows for perch to round out the day. In the harbor and just outside the harbor, nightcrawlers and spawn took a few nice steelhead and brown trout. Perch are also showing up in buckets on minnows on shore.
Lake Michigan (Chicago) **+
Perch anglers with minnows are working from 5 feet down all the way to the bottom. Montrose, Navy Pier and the 95th Street breakwall and other areas were active spots. The surprise catch came from anglers at the Diversey Harbor boat ramp and piers. Bluegill, rock bass, perch and hand-size crappie were taken on minnows.
Illianna (Illinois and Indiana Lake Michigan) **+
Stan Sowinski of Lockport fished offshore at Calumet Park and came away with almost a full limit of perch for two days, including a few jumbos. All were taken on minnows, and too many gobies were taken in between perch. Creeks are low and clear with light fishing pressure.
Cook County Forest Preserves **
Skokie Lagoons: Live bait on the bottom has enticed a walleye, but the fishing was slow. Northern pike took some larger minnows under a bobber. Tampier Lake: Crappie on minnows and hammer-handle northern pike came from the north shoreline. Walleye would not respond again to any bait. Axehead: A few yellow perch and a couple of trout were seen in buckets. Saganashkee Slough: Yellow bass from the south side of the dam going west along the south shoreline. Crappie and bluegill from the closest position to the spillway along the concrete wall.
DuPage County Forest Preserve **
Deep Quarry: Trout are taking single eggs on a hook or a spawn sac. Mallard: Bass are very scarce. Midday is the best time with live baits.
Chain o’ Lakes **+
Walleye are in the deeper cuts of the lake or the narrows between lakes that hold deep water. Minnows are the best bait worked on the bottom. Smart anglers are sitting just off shallow flats, where fish come at night looking for food. Bluegills are mixed in with the crappie in the backwater areas that are holding water. Yellow bass hitting baits on Grass and Fox. Muskie want meat, and if the temperature drops look for fish to turn on very aggressively.
Illinois River **
River looks good. Water temperature is about 52 degrees with a 3- to 6-inch clarity. The ramps are open at Starved Rock, Barto Landing, Hennepin and Henry. With water this warm white bass and catfish are still being taken. Bridge supports, brush along the riverbank and breaks in the current have yielded crappie. Sauger are slow.
Kankakee River *+
River is in good condition, up just a bit but clear. Fishing overall is fair. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good. In Indiana, around mouth of Little Kankakee River and Route 55 to Route 41 bridge. In Illinois, mouth of the Iroquois River through Kankakee Dam down to LeVasseur Park. Best on jig and Mr. Twister, Mepps #2 and 3, minnows and rapalas. Northern pike fishing is good in and at the mouth of most ditches in Indiana and Illinois, with large minnows best along with large Countdowns or #5 Mepps. Walleye are fair. In Illinois, best east of Momence, below Kankakee and Wilmington Dams. In Indiana try Route 49, Route 55 to Route 41 bridge. Best on jig and minnow Rattlin’ Rogue, Mepps Spinners, Jig and Crawler.
Fox River **+
Water levels are a little up but fine for wading. Ken Gortowski reports that working with a minnow and a split shot you can find some hungry smallmouth bass. Most smallmouths were taken feeding midday, while the walleye that were caught were better at night. Lots and lots of drum are hitting nightcrawlers. Catfish are slow. Local ponds along the river are yielding crappie and an occasional bass.
Shabbona Lake **
Things should be better, but more fishing pressure is needed. Crappie are still in the deep trees hitting minnows. Most fish were 12 to 24 feet down. Muskie, bass and crappie were all at this depth also. Muskie are working larger suckers under a float. Catfish should be on the foundations along the west shoreline. Bluegill in the fish cribs on minnows, wax worms and red worms on small live bait and Mini Mites. Walleye still shy.
Delavan (Wis.) **+
Northern pike are still hitting medium to large minnows and cruising the shore in very clear water. Crappie anglers going out at night from dusk to 9 p.m. did very well with minnows.
Geneva (Wis.) **
Crappie in the harbor and protected bays were chasing a few baits at times, but one day hot, the next nothing. Smallmouth bass want a minnow.
Hayward (Wis.) ***
Muskie fishing on Lake Namekagon was still some of the best in the area. Only a few walleye were being taken right on the bottom, but northern pike don’t know the bait was for the walleye and they took it.
Mississippi River (Wis./Ill.) **+
La Crosse, Wis.: Saugers were hitting below the dams, but the walleye are farther downstream. Genoa, Wis.: Action is from fair to good. Walleye are not interested. Plenty of sauger are being caught right now. Blues, chartreuse and purple combinations are the best baits. Downstream from Bellevue: The fish are on the wing dams.
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