Midwest fishing report
October 23rd, 2007 by Fishing admin
Midwest fishing report
October 17, 2007
TROUT ALERT: Fall trout season opens Saturday. However, because of warm waters, DuPage County pushed back the opener on Grove, Deep Quarry and Silver until Nov. 3. Until then, the three lakes are closed to all fishing. But the IDNR planned to go on schedule, said Larry Dunham in fisheries. Nearby lakes open for trout on Saturday include Axehead, Belleau and Horsetail (Cook County); Bird Park Quarry (Kankakee); Big Lake (Kendall); and Banana and Sand (Lake). Daily bag is five. Anglers 16 and older need an inland trout stamp and a fishing license.
AREA RIVERS: Changing: With hunting starting, fishermen must give waterfowlers berth. Barring violent weather on Thursday, it should be another good weekend, especially for waders. On the Fox, wader Ken Gortowski reminded that discharges become key as the water cools. On the Kankakee, the topwater bite has been good for smallmouth, said Ed Mullady. His son, the guide Matt, even caught a walleye on topwater; and catfishing remains good.
CHAIN O’LAKES AREA: Good: Triangle reports crappie are the best bite on small jigs and minnows; Marie and Bluff are best. Bluegill are good on waxies and small jigs around piers; best is Channel. Muskies are good on big suckers or big jerkbaits. White bass are good; Lake Marie, best. Catfish are fair.
LAKEFRONT: Improving: The lake recovers from last week’s blow, but salmon are spotty. Boaters should start to find perch again. SNAGGING NOTE: Lakefront salmon snagging is allowed only at the inner and outer harbors at Jackson Park, the Lincoln Park lagoon from Fullerton south, the Winnetka power plant discharge area and Waukegan’s north harbor basin only. No snagging is allowed within 200 feet of a moored boat or where posted. MEETING NOTE: Mayor Daley’s Fishing Advisory Committee meets at McKinley Park at 10 a.m. Thursday.
MICHIGAN LAKEFRONT: Expectant: Cooler weather should turn on the steelhead starting to come in at St. Joseph and New Buffalo. In St. Joe, B-J’s Sports said some steelhead are in the river; some fresh kings in the lower river and Berrien Springs has had decent kings and walleye. Paw Paw already has had good numbers well up river.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN: Improved: Cooldown dropped lakes into the 40s and 50s, turning on fishing. Minocqua guide Kurt Justice said muskie are very good; best on suckers. Walleye also are very good, especially with redtails on the flowages. Crappie improved, too.
NORTHWEST INDIANA: Improving: As the water clears from the blow, fishing improves. Mik-Lurch reported perch improving off Inland on the shoals. Kings are rebounding at Amoco, Hammond and Pastrick. Some big stray walleye have been taken at the Hole in Wall by those casting for salmon. Creeks are filling with incoming fish.
WISCONSIN LAKEFRONT: Variable: Thursday and Friday may be good days to head to Racine and Kenosha; if the rains turn on flows in the Root and Pike. Otherwise, it has been spottier than usual. There are chinook, a few coho and rainbows from shore at Racine, while Kenosha has reported mixed kings, browns and coho.
WOLF LAKE: Note: Because of waterfowl opening Saturday on the Illinois side, the park will be partially closed. Bank fishing remains open on the west side of the park.
WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN: FREMONT: Variable: Guide Bill Stoeger said crappie remain very strong around deeper brush; white bass have been variable, best around the Rat.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.