Lake Michigan
** – Ed McCain (Mik Lurch Tackle) reports firefighters on the Chicago Fire Department boat by Navy Pier say ice on the lake extends out 4.5 miles. There is some open water by the Com Ed plant near 95th Street. Shore anglers are getting some browns casting spoons. Huge carp are being caught off the bottom using crawlers.
Fox Chain O’ Lakes
* – Deep snow has kept many ice anglers off the Chain, says Richard Popowczak Jr. (Chain O’ Lakes Sports). This should bring out more snowmobilers, who will help make the snow easier for ice anglers to traverse.
Kankakee River
* – Ed Mullady (Sportsman’s Letter) reports the river has several open water areas. Only a few anglers are having luck, and it’s minimal. Typically, February is good for walleye all over the river.
Mazonia Lakes
*** – Linda Vanderhyden (Angelo’s Outdoor Sports) says the crappie and bluegill bite is good using waxworms. Some bass and catfish also are being caught.
Illinois River
* – From Starved Rock to Henry, large sheets of ice are floating in the river, says Tom Matejewski (Time on the Water Outdoors). As of Saturday, all ramps were closed.
Shabbona Lake
* – As of Monday the lots were still unplowed, but they should be cleared this week says Denny Sands (Shabbona Lakeside Bait). Rockfest has been postponed to Saturday. Ice fishing will be allowed that day until 10 p.m.
Evergreen Lake
*** – Crappies are good by boat docks. Use waxworms on a jig or a very small minnow on small plain hook.
Willow Slough, Ind.
*** – Many big bluegills are being caught, but only one or two per hole. Be prepared to do a lot of drilling. The pike bite is slow, but bass are taking golden roaches below tip ups.
Land O Lakes, Wis.
*** – Mark Gostisha (Forest Lake Country Store) reports the Cisco Chain has a fairly consistent bite on pike. They’re taking big shiners below a tip up. Walleyes slow, most active at night. Big gills are caught next to rock bars near 20-plus feet of water. Lac Vieux Desert crappies are suspended and good on minnows toward evening.
Compiled by Don Dziedzina from bait shops, avid anglers, and local and state resource reports.
