LEGEND: ***** – excellent; ****– very good; ***– good; **– fair; *– poor
Lake Michigan
**** — Shore anglers are catching many big kings and cohos by casting spoons off South Rock, Government and Johnson Motors Piers, says Augie Ralph (Salmon Stop).
South Suburban Ponds
*** — Ken O’Malley (Mokena) says bass are taking spinnerbaits, clatterbaits and lipless crankbaits close to shore. Midday and before dark is good.
Fox Chain O’ Lakes
*** — Walleyes are congregating in bridge areas, says Richard Popowczak (Chain O’ Lakes Sports), and are being caught on minnows. Stripers are being caught with trolling spinners and crappies are moving into the channels taking small minnows.
Illinois River
**** — The river is low, says Marvin Applebee (Applebee Baits). Peru and downstream is best for sauger and walleye using minnows or trolling crankbaits with lead core line. Keeper stripers are being caught on blade baits.
Three Rivers Area
**** — Bass are taking beetle spins tipped with a crappie minnow in the Des Plaines River by rocky shores. Smaller spinnerbaits should also work well.
Kankakee River
**** — The river is low but catfish are taking minnows, cheesebaits and crawfish from the State Park to Wilmington says Ed Mullady (Sportsman’s Letter). Smallmouth bass and walleye are taking minnows, twister tails and small crankbaits.
Shabbona Lake
*** — Denny Sands (Shabbona Lakeside Bait) reported some big catfish (more than 15 pounds) and perch up to 8 inches caught last weekend. Gills are on the cribs. Crappies are improving. Live bait is best for all.
Lake Delevan, Wis.
*** — Bass and pike are taking 5-inch sucker minnows in 15 feet of water. Some walleyes are being caught shallow on jig and minnows. Many big gills have been caught on waxies.
Outdoor Notes:
Fishing at Heidecke Lake closes Tuesday at sunset for the season. Oct. 12 is the last day for fishing at Braidwood Lake and the Mazonia Lakes. Monster Lake remains open for angling. LaSalle Lake closes for the season on Oct. 15. The lake is only open Wednesday through Sunday now.
Snagging for chinook and coho salmon began on Oct. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. Legal snagging locations include Lincoln Park Lagoon from the Fullerton Avenue bridge to the southern end of the lagoon, Waukegan Harbor (in north harbor basin only), Winnetka Power Plant discharge area, Jackson Harbor.
Compiled by Don Dziedzina from bait shops, avid anglers and local and state resource reports.
