Lake Michigan (Chicago lakefront)
**
Small perch remain the main catch along the lakefront, with some keepers reported around Navy Pier. Ice depths have reached 6 inches on Belmont, Montrose and Jackson Park Harbors.
Southwest Michigan
*
Fair to good walleye catches reported near Allegan Dam and downstream. St. Joseph River partially iced, and no steelhead activity to report.
Lake Michigan (northwest Indiana)
* 1/2
Trail Creek running high and muddy near Michigan City and other tributaries in similar conditions. Still, a number of steelhead reported the last few weeks biting on shrimp or nightcrawlers. Michigan City harbor clear of ice, but visibility reduced due to muddy waters.
Southeast Wisconsin
**
Ice anglers finding a few browns in Kenosha small-boat harbor. In Racine harbor, some ice depth reported at 8 to 9 inches Monday, with browns, rainbows and northerns active. Open water found in Milwaukee inner harbor, while shore anglers catching a few browns on shiners and spoons.
Chain O’Lakes
** 1/2
Ice conditions excellent throughout system. Bluegills very good at south and north ends of Channel Lake, while stripers and flathead catfish reported on Pistakee. Northern Illinois Conservation Club hosts 48th annual ice fishing derby Friday and Saturday on Channel Lake. Prizes awarded in 10 categories. For more information, call 847-395-NICC.
Kankakee River
1/2
Action quiet on river, although water levels down and fishable from shore. Situation is changeable depending on weather.
McHenry County conservation district
*
District ice fishing sites were closed Wednesday due to inclement weather but expected to reopen Thursday, including Fel-Pro main pond, Lake Atwood and Lyons Prairie and Marsh in Cary; Rush Creek pond near Harvard; and Stickney Run pond in McHenry.
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Compiled by Jack McCarthy from pro and bait shops and state natural resource reports.
EDITED BY THOMAS L. OUTLAW AND DANIEL ELLMAN
