 |

Illinois Fishing Reports |

Discussion
Boards |
      |
| |
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
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 River Rich Gallagher |
Article
Topo
Logs New Weapon in the Fishing WarsArticle
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".
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
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
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

|
| |
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.
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
|
| |
Evergreen Lake |
Article
Topo
Logs New Weapon in the Fishing WarsArticle
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.
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

|
| |
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 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
|
| |
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 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
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.
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
|
| |
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
|
      |