Lake Michigan ****
Navy Pier anglers are getting big perch on minnows or spikes on the far east end of the pier, according to Steve Palmisano (Henry’s Sports). Perchers are also doing well from shore by the north end of DuSable Harbor.
Calumet River ****
Mike Starsevich (Mik Lurch Tackle) reported big perch are being caught from the river. Shore anglers can fish the 95th Street area. Use small minnows fished off the bottom.
Chain O’ Lakes ***
Bluegills are best at Spring and Petite Lakes, says Greg Dickson (Triangle Sports). Waxworms and spikes are best baits. Petite is also giving up nice pike using golden roaches below a tip up. Fox Lake is good for stripers and pike. Marie and Channel Lakes are slow. Pistakee Lake anglers are catching many catfish and sheephead.
Nielsen’s Channel ****
Wayne Krcmar (Hermann’s Lowlife Bar & Grill) says crappies are biting. Waxworms or spikes on a jig brought catches of fish up to 13 inches over the weekend. Ice is good but slick. Wear ice cleats.
Mazonia Lakes ***
Bluegill action has been good with many fish 8 inches and larger being caught at the various lakes. Some nice crappies have also been caught. Waxworms on jigs are catching the fish.
Shabbona Lake ****
Shabbona Lake gave up good-sized crappies over the weekend, says Ken O’Malley (Mokena). Fish were on rock piles and taking small jigs tipped with pieces of Gulp. Ice is 20 inches thick, but with this week’s warm weather, the ice will have a very wet surface.
Boulder Junction (Wis.) ****
Janie Harpster (Northern Highland Sports) reports walleyes are taking golden shiners in shallow water, 3 to 4 feet, next to weed edges on Clear and Big Lakes. Crappies are in 12 feet of water next to weed edges taking crappie minnows on Clear, Palmer and Allequash Lakes. An hour before sundown is the best time.
Compiled by Don Dziedzina from bait shops, avid anglers, and local and state resource reports.
