Midwest Fishing Report for 4/13

[Nyco]

April 13, 2005

Smallmouth regulations: After an outing with his grandson Dominic Miro, 9, near Great Lakes Naval on Sunday, Joe Reyes asked about Lake Michigan smallmouth regulations. They were casting sinking Rapalas, then catching and releasing spawn-laden smallmouth, "fat and huge,'' Reyes said. "My grandson was going crazy.'' On Lake Michigan, only one smallmouth of 21 inches or longer may be kept. The regulations changed last year. As far as we know, nobody caught a magical smallmouth that big in 2004 in Illinois on Lake Michigan. Regulations protect the smallmouth fishery, yet allow anglers to keep a trophy near the Illinois record. On March 26, 1985, Mark Samp caught the Illinois record smallmouth (6 pound, 7 ounces), a spawn-packed female, from a Fulton County strip pit. It's Illinois' second-oldest gamefish record. Reyes said they had a couple in the 5-pound range. Remember, to protect spawning smallmouth from April 1 to June 15, in streams and tributaries statewide except for Mississippi, Ohio, Wabash and Illinois rivers, all smallmouth must be immediately released.

Illinois River: Best bet (day trip): White bass are starting. Guide Buster Culjan expects the run to peak by next week with the rising water and forecast warm weather. By Friday, the National Weather Service projects a rise of 3 feet at LaSalle and a foot at Morris; nearly perfect conditions. The river already warmed into the upper 50s. A Midwest Fishing Report friend reported improved white bass up the Vermilion, but also a lot of boats.

Wolf River, Wis.: Best bet (overnight trip): Fremont calls itself the white bass capital of the world, but walleye may be the story this spring. That good walleye action is true for Winneconne, too. The run of big females is expected to peak today between Fremont and Poygan; the run of males should peak over the next 10 days to two weeks. Over the weekend, some 200 boats packed the river mouth near Poygan. Guide Bill Stoeger reported "lots of walleye in the 23- to 27-inch class came out of the marshes.'' It took 27 pounds (six fish) to win a tournament on Saturday. Females are in the deeper water, eater-sized males shallower. Stoeger recommended the basic jig (start with a 3/8-ounce) and minnow. The river has warmed into the 50s.

Area lakes: Cook: A MFR friend reports fair largemouth at Skokie Lagoons, but tougher crappie action. Ed Shirley reports good walleye by the creek at Busse. On the southern lakes, JJ's reports some bass all over on Minus-Ones, worms or spinner baits; crappie are spotty, but schooling; and a few walleye on Sedgwick. DuPage: Kolar reports decent action on smaller crappie at Mallard and Pratt's Wayne; and lots of smaller largemouth all over.

Chain O'Lakes area: Good: Triangle reports good bluegill shallow (start in 4-8 feet). Crappie are best on small jigs like Custom jigs or Mini-Mites around the channels or channel mouths. Walleye are decent -- they are up on the spawn -- on large fatheads on slip-bobber rigs. Catfishing is excellent on many lakes -- Grass, Fox and Pistakee -- on crawlers or stinkbait. Muskies are chasing smaller bass baits. Water remains low, so use caution.

Chicago River: Fair: A MFR friend reports much slower crappie and bluegill, both downtown and on the North Shore Channel.

Cooling Lakes/Strip Pits: Note: The Illinois Conservation Foundation has a $500 reward for information leading to conviction in the suspected arson at Mazonia last week. The 24-hour tip-line is (877) 236-7529. Braidwood: Plant has not been pumping as much, so adjust. Site staff report water around 70 on the north, 80 on the south. Good bet for channel catfish and bluegill. Hours remain Wednesday through Sunday, 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. LaSalle: Pete Riedesel tells MFR bluegill are improving along the east bank. Otherwise, catfish, bass and stripers remain variable. Heidecke: Bill Anderson tells MFR action is sporadic for most, but some good stripers and muskies (40-inch-plus) when fishing is good. Water temperatures should be rising through the 50s this week. Days are Wednesday through Sunday. Hours are 6 a.m. to dusk for boaters; 6:30 a.m. to dusk for shore anglers. Mazonia/Mazonia South: Water had reached the 60s. Hours remain Wednesday through Sunday, 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. mid-60s.

Downstate: Improving: It's spring with improving bass and crappie; more important, improving angler effort. Shelbyville: Army Corps reports the lake has warmed into the 50s, it is five feet below summer pool and with varied color. Crappie spotty. Evergreen: Site super Mike Steffa reports water warmed well into the 50s, to 60 in Six Mile Creek Bay. Decent crappie action continues (best in western coves) on jig and minnow or tube jigs; bigger fish remain deeper (10-15 feet).

Fox River: Western Suburbs: Fair: Riverside reports improving smallmouth on small tubes or minnows. White bass improved. Nothing on catfish. Despite the rain, river level should maintain enough for waders to continue. Some backwaters are holding good crappie.

Illinois River: Starved Rock area: Improving: For white bass, see above. Sauger are in post-spawn; some caught on pulled crankbaits.

Kankakee River: Improved: River has been very wadeable, the rain should only make things better. Robert Grygiel tells MFR a good mixed bag of bass at a creek mouth last week on a No. 2 Mepps. Ed Mullady reported better smallmouth action around Momence, Aroma Park, Kankakee dam, Bourbonnais and Wilmington dam through I-55. Largemouth are good in the Des Plaines backwaters or LaSalle F&W bayous. For crappie, try bayous or structure. Catfish and walleye are fair; pike good in mouths of ditches and creeks.

Lakefront: Changing: Things should change quickly as the water warmed sharply. The water treatment folks reported 46 at the crib and 49 on shore Tuesday. Chicago: Henry's reports better coho over the weekend at DuSable, the Planetarium, behind McCormick and 31st. Park Bait reports more browns than coho at Montrose. Perch are very sporadic and variable; spotty keepers at Belmont. Waukegan: Salmon Stop reports Johnson pier and the south rocks have been the best, consistent for mainly browns (spawn, shiners and spoons) and a few coho (spoons). Boaters are working in 14-25 feet for a mixed bag on jointed crankbaits and Dodgers and flies south of the harbor. Note: Henry's Coho Derby at the Planetarium seawall is 6-10 a.m. Saturday. Call (312) 225-8538 or go to www.henryssports.com. Smelt: Not much in Waukegan or Chicago.

Madison Lakes, Wis.: Fair: D&S Bait reports best for boaters is Monona Bay for bluegills; but all lakes have fish starting.

Northern Wisconsin: Changing: Ice fishing disappeared rapidly. What ice is left is not safe. Eagle River Sports reports smaller lakes and ones with current are open, and early-season perch are concentrated around any cover. Otter Rapids dam is one of the better spots.

Northwest Indiana: Decent: Capt. Chuck Weis reported outstanding action for perch in the Indiana shoals off Inland in his first outing on Sunday. Variable or poor perch in Cal harbor. Weis was drifting and using plain hooks with minnows. If the state-line power plant is going, there are browns. All discharges have smallmouth. Capt. Bob Poteshman reports fair salmon, best for coho at the Hole-in-the-Wall; bigger coho, big browns and an occasional big king have been improving in Cal harbor. Some better coho east of Gary and around Michigan City. Mik-Lurch reports slower browns from shore; fair creek activity.

St. Joseph area, Mich.: Decent: BJ's Sports reports steelhead are bedding on the downstream gravel; a few continue at the dam. Big lake shut down with the wind shift.

Shabbona Lake: Fair: Lakeside reported a 2.2-pound crappie (151/2 inches) caught, but mostly small crappies down 14-17 feet in the trees. Muskie catches nearly daily.

Wolf Lake: Fair: Henry's reports better action on smaller crappie on the Illinois side by the park; also on the Indiana side, too. Mik-Lurch reports best walleye action in months on minnows.