Illinois Fishing Report 1

Illinois Fishing Reports

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Lake Michigan North of Chicago Todd Berg / Rich Gallagher

Article
Topo Logs
New Weapon in the Fishing Wars

Article
Creme Lures Devils's Tongue
How to fish it: By Jim Files

Reports Updated October 20, 2003

Lake Michigan - Northern IL - October 20, 2003
Can you say JUMBO PERCH?! We can... with 15-fish limits of 9-14" fish being common on the big pond right now. The R4 reef off of the Illinois shore is white hot as long as you can get out there in safe winds. R4 is approximately 7 miles off-shore from Wilmette, Illinois. With our colder temperatures coming on, the perch will start moving in closer to shore, making them more accessible for shore anglers too. Reports of nice browns and Kings from the rocks at North Chicago, Waukegan and Kenosha harbors are still coming in too. We need one more good cold rain and those fish will be here in huge numbers. They've been sporadic so far but the best news is that the main run of fish is virtually tenths of a mile off-shore and staged- ready for the final run and one whizz-bang week of casting spoons and crankbaits lies just ahead.

Report Courtesy of:
Into the Outdoors Guide Service
Todd Berg
Phone: 847-922-1271.
sales@intotheoutdoors.net

Report UPdated

No current Report
Big Goomba
Musky Hunter Guide Service
Rich Gallagher
Fox Chain of Lakes, East & West Loon, Shabbona, Silver, Evergreen, Snake Den Hollow, and other local lakes in Northern Illinois & Wisconsin Specializing in Trophy Musky
1253 Cobblers Crossing
Elgin, IL
Phone Number: (847) 741-9771
Bigoomba@aol.com

Lake Shelbyville John Hayden

Article
Topo Logs New Weapon in the Fishing Wars

"Trophy Stripers & Hybrids"
by Steve Baker, Neil Ward

Our Price: $14.95

Order this book right here!
Give it as a gift to the guy who's boat you go striper fishing on all the time. It's cheaper than a tank of gas!

Report Updated October 20, 2003

Crappie have now turned on full tilt. Nice limits are being taken in 8 - 12 feet of water on or near brush in creeks and coves. Try 16th oz jigs or 8th oz depending on the wind. I fished from north to south and caught fish equally throughout the lake. Small fish are outnumbering large keepers 3 - 1 but those averages will reverse soon.
Bass are hitting hard on BIG spinners and top water bait. Shallow water near deep water is the key. Look at deep coves and creeks that offer a lot of water in the 2-5 foot range and also 20 feet in places. The shad are moving off and on these flats and the bass seem to be staging up in these areas.
Musky are hitting hard and in numbers. Just go bass fishing and you will find a musky or two I'm sure.
White bass are moving into coves and are still paying close attention to flats near points 3 and 6. Walleye seem to be having an off time this fall. I have not seen too many walleye as of yet but the water is still 62 at mid lake so we will see what the coming weeks bring.

Best of luck!
For guide info call:
John Hayden at (217) 273-8183.
As always it's faith, family and fishin.
jph.hayden@advant.net

Report Updated August 20, 2003

Fair
Water temps running between 80-85° depending on main lake locations. Water down south is clear, while waters up north are dirty. Lake levels down nearly 6 feet and most of all the structure is on the banks. Fishing last weekend was HOT in the spillway. Muskies are active on cranks trolled between 2.8 and 5 mph! Many fish in the 30-39" range are currently being caught trolling on Ernies.

Big Goomba
Musky Hunter Guide Service
Rich Gallagher
Fox Chain of Lakes, East & West Loon, Shabbona, Silver, Evergreen, Snake Den Hollow, and other local lakes in Northern Illinois & Wisconsin Specializing in Trophy Musky
1253 Cobblers Crossing
Elgin, IL
Phone Number: (847) 741-9771
Bigoomba@aol.com

Fox Chain of Lakes Jeff Ayeski /

Article
Topo Logs New Weapon in the Fishing Wars

Report Updated October 20, 2003

Fox Chain of Lakes- Northern IL
The musky bite has improved steadily until this last warm-up we've had. The fish were responding to glide baits, suckers and slow crankbaits but the warm-up stalled them a bit. Look to the last of the green weeds and the transitions from sand to rock or weeds to rock and you'll find some good fish. The bucktail bite has been slowing. White bass and crappie are the story on the southern lakes of the chain including Pistakee and Fox. Small Mini-Mites (any color as long as it's white) or Fin-S minnow imitators on
1/16 oz. jigs are producing. Can't go wrong with a live fathead minnow on a #10 hook and slip-float either. Current water temps are in the mid to high 50's.

Report Courtesy of:
Into the Outdoors Guide Service
Todd Berg
Phone: 847-922-1271.
sales@intotheoutdoors.net

Reports Resume in March

Jeff Ayeski
catchem2002@ninewire.net
Jeff has graciously agreed to do weekly reports for us. He is a fisherman and not a guide.

Report Updated July 26, 2003

Fox River Rich Gallagher

Article
Topo Logs New Weapon in the Fishing Wars

Report By Todd Berg Updated April 12, 2002

Reports Updated August 20, 2003

Fair
Smallmouth Bass- Good
The smallmouth bass are on the beds. Many have spawned and some are near spawn. Most larger females have moved to deeper water areas, away from shore. Most smallmouth bass that are being caught, are the smaller males. Artificial baits or lures are catching the most fish. Minnow or crawfish imitators crank baits. Plastics, such as grubs or worms---select styles that resemble baitfish or crawfish. Berkley's GULP worms are a HOT item. Also the Gary Yamamoto products, such as Senkos; 3, 4 and 5" grubs single tail and twin-tail grubs. Rig these grubs or worms on a bullet style head jig for the most snag-free presentation. Some smallies are also taking small spinnerbaits. I generally don't wade fish, this time of the year, (when fish are bedding). I don't want to risk stepping into a nest and possibly destroying it. NOTE: Smallmouth bass is catch and release! All fish caught must be released back into the water, right after it is caught. This is in effect until Jun 15, to protect the spawning fish.

Largemouth Bass---Good
Many fish being taken in lakes and ponds. A few are being caught in the Fox River. Choice lures: Spinner baits, crank baits, 4 - 7" worms, 4 & 5" grubs, 4 & 5" Senko's. An 8-1/2lb was taken on a 5" Green/White Senko, in one the gravel pits. Best action is early am or late pm.

Crappie---Good
Best action is in ponds and lakes. Best baits: small minnows, mini-mites, tubes and grubs. Some crappie in slack water areas on the Fox River.

Bluegill---Good
Some big gills being taken on garden worms, rigged on a small hook and suspended under a float. Also, the new Berkley Power Bait earthworm (packed in a jar).

Catfish---Good
Many fish are being caught in slack water areas as well as in mid-stream moving waters. Bait choices are: Sonny's dip bait, chicken liver, ground hamburger, big shiners and big crawlers.

Northern Pike---Fair
An occasional fish can be taken on medium and large golden roach shiners, suspended under a float. Rig the large minnows on a keel style hook, without any weight, and use a weighted float. This allows the minnow to swim freely, without the added weight of the lead on the line. This makes for a more natural presentation. Look for these fish to be in shallow water areas out of the current. Spinner baits and crank baits are also choice lures to use.

Muskie---Slow
Use large tube baits to imitate baitfish or large Senko's rigged weightless.

Walleyes---Slow
Some walleyes are being caught on live bait, such as large & X-large fathead minnows, medium roaches and crawlers. A few are also being caught on minnow imitator lures. Look for the fish around bridge piers, faster moving waters, and current breaks.

NOTE---if you're not catching fish---MOVE---keep moving until you find fish. Location is a "key" factor. TIP---"The best time to go fishing, is every chance to you get".

Report Updated 2002

Todd Berg
25705 Arrowhead Drive
Mundelein IL 60060
Phone #: 847-922-1271
e-Mail: toddpb@msn.com

Busse Lake Rich Gallagher

Report Updated

Reports Resume in March

Busse Lake: Good
Anglers working the dam area for crappies.

East and West Loon Lake

YOUR AD HERE
Contact: peter@fishin.com

Reports Resume in March

Shabonna Lake Jay Angel, Big Goomba

Article
Topo Logs New Weapon in the Fishing Wars

Report Updated October 3, 2003

Fishing is tough at Shabbona Lake. Catfish are the bright spot right now. Anglers are catching cats on the shallow weedlines using stinkbait and chicken livers.

Crappie fishing is fair. Crappies are being caught over the shallow fish cribs on minnows. You will also find crappies along the shallower weedlines. Use small minnows under small bobbers for best results.

Bass are buried in the shallow weeds and they are difficult to catch. Some anglers are catching them using weedless plastic worms. You should be able to catch bass if you can get into these thick weeds.

Walleyes are in the deep water. Last Saturday I observed more than a few walleyes in 17 - 26 feet of water. Use nightcrawlers and minnows on jigs to try to catch these walleyes. They are biting very lightly. If you feel a bite make sure you let the fish take your bait for awhile before setting the hook. I know that the walleyes are there, now I have to figure out how to catch them.

Jay Angel: Outdoor Writer
Shabbona Lake Guide
Specializes in Walleyes, Bass and teaching kids how to fish
(815)756-8914 or dekalbfish@aol.com

Report Updated August 20, 2003

Fair
Walleyes going right now in 16-18 feet of water off the road beds on leeches & crawlers. Most walleyes running over 16"! Lot's of big bass going right now on the weed lines using spinnerbaits and topwater lures. Water temps running near 80 degrees. Muskies have slowed dramatically. Catfish bite is hot on crawlers and stink baits. Bluegills still shallow and active on waxies and crawlers. Contact Denny at Lakeside Bait & Tackle at (815) 824-2581 for lake conditions or visit their website at Shabbona Lake.
Shabbona Lake.

Evergreen Lake

Article
Topo Logs New Weapon in the Fishing Wars

Report Updated August 20, 2003

Water Conditions: Storm Rainfall Totals will change these in the next few days. We had about 2' of rain here. Clarity - 2-4' Temperature - upper 70's - Low 80's. Level - About an inch over capacity

Crappie - Good
Good numbers and some pretty good sizes. 10-14' on structure. Small spinner baits and jig/minnows working well. Some guys are having some luck in the evenings fishing from shoreline around structure.

Saugeye - Fair
Yes, finally! The Saugeye seem to be cooperating. Some good numbers and sizes. I've talked to people catching them with deep diving cranks, road runners tipped with twister tail and crawlers, crawler harnesses, and Lindy rigs. Most are casting shallow and drift fishing or slow trolling into deeper water. Early morning up until about mid-day best
on south end of lake around Swimming Beach, the Hump, and Deer Island.

Muskie - Slow
Muskie - Slow. Muskie fishing has really slowed down. Picking up one here and there trolling and that's about it.

Bass - Good
Good numbers still, but not a great deal of big fish being caught. Fish are still pretty deep, at 12-16' around drops, humps, structure. Jig/plastics and deep diving cranks.

Catfish - Fair
Some numbers and some fair sizes. North shoreline at Swimming beach still do pretty good in the early mornings and at night time. Stink baits, Cheese baits, and chicken livers best.

Bluegill - Good
Still doing real well on numbers and sizes. Shallow around structure with just about anything, worms, crickets, or waxies.

Braidwood Lake

ARTICLE:
Creme Lures Devils's Tongue
How to fish it: By Jim Files

Report Updated July 9, 2003

Cooling Lakes- Northern IL
Water temperatures on LaSalle, Braidwood and Heidecke are running extremely high due to the hot weather and the power requirements. Temps into the high 90's are reported and while the striper activity and catfish activity is reportedly good, the cool-water species like bass and walleye are basically shut down. Not much going on there.

Report Courtesy of:
Into the Outdoors Guide Service
Todd Berg
Phone: 847-922-1271.
sales@intotheoutdoors.net

La Salle Lake

Article
Creme Lures Devils's Tongue
How to fish it: By Jim Files

Article
Topo Logs New Weapon in the Fishing Wars

Report Updated July 9, 2003

Report Courtesy of:
Into the Outdoors Guide Service
Todd Berg
Phone: 847-922-1271.
sales@intotheoutdoors.net

Delevan Lake Todd Berg, Jay Angel

Article
Creme Lures Devils's Tongue
How to fish it: By Jim Files

Report Updated October 20, 2003

Delavan in southern Wisconsin continues to be the story. During a guide trip there last week, I took out clients looking for crappie- they were excited at the prospect that they might even catch a walleye . Well- best laid plans were put to rest when we bushwhacked 10 beautiful walleye in the
first 90 minutes of the outing and never did boat a decent crappie! Pike are turning on here too with trolled cranks and minnow imitators in large sizes producing some nice fish to 40".

Report Courtesy of:
Into the Outdoors Guide Service
Todd Berg
Phone: 847-922-1271.
sales@intotheoutdoors.net

Report by Jay Angel

Report Updated June 11, 2003

The walleyes have really turned on this week,” states Delevan guide Dave Duwe. Use nightcrawlers in 15 – 20 feet of water target the drop offs. Just use a hook and a small sinker. Work your nightcrawlers slowly in the deep water for best results.

The crappies have just begun spawning. They are in 10 – 15 feet of water.

Bass are done spawning. They are relating to the boat docks.Use small soft plastics and cast directly underneath the docks.

Bigger bluegills are still in 25 – 30 feet of water. Walleye anglers are picking them up.

For guide services on Delevan Lake, contact my friend DaveDuwe at (262) 728-8063

Illinois River

Article
Creme Lures Devils's Tongue
How to fish it: By Jim Files

Report Updated May 17, 2001

Illinois River:

Big white bass are biting. Yesterday Buster Culjan caught dozen of white bass while fishing around Plum Island with a jig and minnow. He told me that he didn't need to leave Plum Island because they were biting so well there.

Jay Angel: Outdoor Writer
Shabbona Lake Guide
Specializes in Walleyes, Bass and teaching kids how to fish
(815)756-8914 or dekalbfish@aol.com

Diamond Lake

Article
Creme Lures Devils's Tongue
How to fish it: By Jim Files

No Current Report

Silver Lake, WI: Good
Water temps in the 44°-48° range. Muskies are moving and hitting jerkbaits, glide baits and live suckers. Multiple fish days have been the norm here. Muskies between 36-47 inches have been caught in recent days fishing the outside weed edges.

Mendota Lake

Report Updated July 9, 2003

Southern Wisconsin Lakes
Still the hotty right now of all our areas. All the southern Wisconsin lakes remain downright excellent right now. Can you say big pike? Try an unconfirmed (but reliable) report of a 51" fish off of Geneva last week. Another 42" fish (confirmed) off Geneva this week. Countless fish in the mid to high 30" range. Whoa- we're talking good toothy fish here. Bass fishing remains absolutely outstanding. Throw plastics, find sand grass, work the edges and don't forget the topwater bite in the wee hours and you've got yourself a memorable trip. As always, Until next time...

Safe Travels, Tight Lines, Sharp Hooks & We'll Look for You on the Water"!

Mill Creek Lake
Reports Resume in March

Report Courtesy of:
Into the Outdoors Guide Service
Todd Berg
Phone: 847-922-1271.
sales@intotheoutdoors.net