Lake Michigan
**** – Burnham and Montrose Harbors have been producing many perch, but anglers must weed through many small fish to get the keepers, says Steve Palmisano (Henry’s Sports). Jig and spike or waxie are the best baits.
Fox Chain O’ Lakes
**** – Greg Dickson (Triangle Sports) reports Long Lake has been producing nice crappies, gills and stripers. Fox Lake anglers reported good catches of stripers. Deep water at Pistakee Lake has been good for panfish, but a lot of sheephead are being caught too. Petite Lake and the south end of Lake Catherine are giving up good crappies near sundown. Waxies or spikes on jigs are best baits.
Nielsen’s Channel
**** – Wayne Krcmar (Hermann’s Lowlife Bar & Grill) reports fishing during his derby on Sunday was slow. However on Saturday it was very good. Cloudy skies on Saturday versus a bright sun on Sunday may have been the difference. Good-sized gills and crappies have been caught by those using 1-pound test line and No. 12 sized jigs tipped with spikes. Ice is 14 inches thick.
South suburban ponds
**** – Ken O’Malley (Mokena) has been catching many quality bass on golden roaches below a tip-up in late afternoons. Crappies are also biting well on slick jigs tipped with a minnow. Ice is in good shape but lacks snow. Use ice cleats.
Wolf Lake, Ill.
**** – Pike action has been consistently good with golden roaches below a tip-up. Best spot is near the flagpole.
Cook County Forest Preserve — Wampum Lake
*** – Keeper gills and crappies have been caught off the bottom in the middle of the lake using jigs with waxies or small minnows. Fish have been most active during the last hour of light.
Illinois River
* – Marvin Applebee (Applebee Baits) reports the Starved Rock State Park ramp is open as of Monday. The Barto Landing in Spring Valley is still frozen in. Anglers are not fishing the river.
Clinton Lake
*** – Hybrid stripers, crappies and white bass have been caught in the bridge areas, says Steve Welch (Lake Shelbyville Guide Service). Blade baits, spinners, and Candy Striper jigs have been working well for the shore anglers.
Compiled by Don Dziedzina from bait shops, avid anglers, and local and state resource reports.
