Perch improving, some ice fishing coming: Midwest Fishing Report

Improving perch action on southern Lake Michigan and the beginning of first ice leads this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.

The MFR for Chicago fishing appears in a condensed form Wednesdays on the Sun-Times newspaper outdoors page. The sprawling raw-file report is posted here online on the Sun-Times outdoors page.

Dana Robinson posted one of the finer perch photos I’ve seen in awhile (above) of a bucket of jumbos, the story of this week.

LAKEFRONT PERCH

The key areas are around 87th, 89th and 95th. Steve Palmisano at Henry’s said Tuesday, “Reports are even better. I am going there right now.” He noted 87th has been the better spot from shore recently. Keepers take sorting through small ones. Bite is light, so he recommends using a lighter weight (one or two split shots) with the minnows and a graphite rod for better feel. He also noted that some were going at Navy Pier on Tuesday; some limits were being caught in the weed patches at DuSable, too. Arden Katz said key is moving around until you find active fish; key for bigger perch is using minnows; best over the weekends for keepers was 87th. Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station, Ind., texted that best action is around Cal Park and up the river, especially for boaters, fatheads are the best choice; he texted that a handful of guys have been fishing in 50-53 feet out off Gary Light. Stacey Greene at Park Bait (now closed for the winter) said some are being caught at Montrose and Diversey. Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop texted not much going in Waukegan. BOATER NOTE: Not sure if it matters with the weather coming in, but boaters have had some issues launching at both Hammond and East Chicago in recent days.

ICE FISHING

Northern Wisconsin will see some ice fishing by the weekend; and there’s a chance other, closer early spots will be coming very soon. Kurt Justice of Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua, Wis., put it this way on Monday, “Right now, not good. But they are talking about single digits. Some bays and shallow water areas will close. There will be limited options this weekend.” . . . Gene Dellinger at D & S Bait in Madison, Wis. said there would be some fishing on an 1 1/2 of ice on Cherokee Marsh by the weekend. Better chances for ice fishing in more places, such as Cherokee Marsh, Viking Park in Stoughton and “maybe parts of Monona Bay.” He said wind could change those prospects. As to closer to home on the Chain O’Lakes, Art Frisell at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said, “By the weekend, it is an extreme possibility, maybe in the backwaters. Next week for sure, so spool up.”

PIER PASSES

The pier passes for legal access to fish select piers at Jackson, Burnham, DuSable, Diversey, Belmont and Montrose harbors in Chicago are available at Henry’s ($6 cash, one per valid fishing license).

AREA LAKES

With the colder weather, I expect most lakes to be in flux between open water and first ice by the weekend.

Ken “Husker” O’Malleysent this:

Hey Dale, Bass were very good prior to the snow hitting on area lakes. Live bait under a float worked along the outside weedlines have taken good numbers of bass during the first three hours of the morning. I can’t stress enough about using circle hooks for this technique. It allows the bass to take the bait and run with it without worry of gut hooking.This week’s temps should hopefully get us closer to first ice.TTYL — Ken Husker O’Malley Huskeroutdoors Waterworks fishing team

Norm Minas sent this:

I’ve been fishing small spoons tipped with small plastics in one of the nearby retention ponds . Cast out, countdown then lift-drop retrieve . Mostly largemouth, biggest to date out of that pond as well, 17 inches. Some crappie and gills as well . light action spin gear 6 lb test . been a blast , so much so I skipped some trips to the river to fish the pond .peacenorm

AREA WATER LEVELS

Go to http://water.weather.gov//ahps2/index.php?wfo=lot to check area water levels and projection. To get to more specific gauges, even on creeks, in Illinois, go to http://waterdata.usgs.gov/il/nwis/current/?type=flow

BRAIDWOOD

Closed for the season.

CALUMET SYSTEM

BoRabb Williams messaged a photo and note that he and Frank “Cat Daddy” Smith continue to catch good crappie.

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA

See ice fishing prospects above. Art Frisell at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said walleye are going around the bridge and current areas; there’s some crappie being caught on steeer banks; muskie fishermen are trying with suckers.

For updates, check with Fox Waterway Agency or call (847) 587-8540.

CHICAGO RIVER

Capt. Pat Harrison (click here for his site) sent this:

Pat Harrison Outdoors Fishing Report 11/26 – 12/3. One half day trip last week water temps have stayed about the same. Fish are still biting Bass are slowing up a bit but Pan fish are hungry. The small jig and twister tail tipped with a waxie or minnow moving slow with the current are still working Well. This is the time of year that I start prepping for shows and seminars organizing tackle doing power point presentations etc. but still fish for sure. I plan to keep fishing the Chicago River throughout the winter and will start to fish the Illinois River and 3 Rivers area starting New Years Day. There’s no better way to start the new year than open water fishing in your boat January One. The 3 Rivers area is where the Desplaines River and Kankakee River come together to form the Illinois River which ends up flowing into the Mississippi River. In the past decade this area has really turned into quite a fishery. If you get the chance get out and spend some time on the waters during the winter if you dress for it, it’s a fun time with a lot less pressure on the waters. I also see a trip to Lake of Egypt coming in February for some Big Crappie. Enjoy your week treat yourself to some new tackle while your Christmas shopping till next week tight lines and big fish — www.patharrisonoutdoors.com Thanks Pat

DELAVAN/LAKE GENEVA AREA, WISCONSIN

GENEVA: Mark O’Neill posts fishing reports at http://www.structure-fishing.com/Lake_Geneva_Fishing_.html

DELAVAN: No Update

DES PLAINES RIVER

No update.

DOWNSTATE NOTES

LAKE OF EGYPT/REND:

Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing. SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Ken Wilson Guide Service.EVERGREEN: Bait shop and boat rental are closed for the season. HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed for season.

The updates on Downstate sites below come from Larry Dozard of larrysfishinghole.com:

– RICE LAKE –. . , will Re-Open at end of Duck & Goose season..

– BANNER MARSH – Will CLOSE TO BOAT FISHING on Oct. 12th with last day to boat fish being Oct. 11th AND BANK FISHING ONLY ALLOWED AFTER 1PM but NO FISHING ALLOWED in EAST POINT ACCESS AREA, which is CLOSED TO ALL FISHING to provide a GOOSE REFUGE AREA during season till Feb. 1st– DOUBLE T STATE FISH and WILDLIFE AREA – . . . remains Closed till Feb. 1st– EMIQUON PRESERVE – No boating, fishing or ice skating access before 12:00 pm during waterfowl season.– EVERGREEN LAKE – the SOUTHERN PART OF LAKE, AROUND DEER ISLAND and ALL OF SIX-MILE CREEK BAY IS CLOSED TO GAS MOTORS from Oct. 15th through JAN. 1st to allow resting areas for migratory waterfowl. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO STILL RUN A TROLLING MOTOR IN THESE AREAS ONLY.– SNAKEDEN HOLLOW & McMASTER LAKE – closed– SPRING LAKE (South & North) – WILL BE CLOSED TO BOAT FISHING in Waterfowl Hunting Area ON OCT. 15th with Last Day to Boat Fish being Oct. 14th with BANK FISHING ALLOWED ONLY AFTER 1pm– & AREAS THAT REMAIN OPEN TO BOATS ARE NORTH OF MAPLE ISLAND with ramp at north end at the Sky Ranch Road launch and IN PIKE HOLE with carry in boats – and Shore Fishing is allowed in entire lake after 1pm in Hunting areas or at boat ramps all day.– POWERTON LAKE – REOPENS TO SHORE FISHING ONLY ON DEC. 19th AND NO BOAT FISHING till FEB. 15th– SANGCHRIS LAKE – THE WEST and EAST ARMS OF LAKE and Small AREA NEAR DAM ARE CLOSED DURING WATERFOWL SEASON to boat traffic effective Oct. 12th (last day to boat fish will be Oct. 11th) through Jan. 31, 2016 (during this time fishing boat traffic is permitted in the center hot arm only).– PRAIRIE LAKE in Jim Edgar/ Panther Creek State F&W Area – Lake is CLOSED from Nov. 1st to Jan. 15th to Fishing until after 12:01 PM on Wednesday & Saturday.– ANDERSON LAKE – THIS AREA Will be CLOSED TO BOAT FISHING in Main Lake from Oct. 15th (with last day to boat fish Oct. 14th) through Dec. 20th during waterfowl season with bank fishing Only allowed.– CLINTON LAKE – an easterly area of Clinton Lake (The Waterfowl Refuge Area) between the DeWitt Bridge East (CH14) and the Rt. 48 Bridge will CLOSE be on October 10th and will re-open on MARCH 31st…

FOX RIVER: WESTERN SUBURBS

No update.

FOX RIVER: WISCONSIN

No update.

GREEN BAY/STURGEON BAY

No recent update (one came last week before the weather change) from Lance LaVine at Howie’s Tackle in Sturgeon Bay (I think he is deer hunting). The Wisconsin DNR report is usually posted Tuesdays and includes reports from both the bay and lake sides.

HEIDECKE LAKE

Closed for the season.

ILLINOIS RIVER

Remember that Illinois Valley Outdoors is closed. Have bait and terminal tackle before going.

INDIANA STREAMS

Access points for Trail Creek can be found on the Trail Creek Access Map. Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted that some steelhead are being caught in the tributaries, best on black and purple Voodoo jigs tipped with wax worms or smaller spawn sacks under floats.

KANKAKEE RIVER

River is up and stained, but fishable.

Norm Minas sent this Monday:

I took a short trip out to the river to help get my mind right for upcoming life events . Traveled light , adjust a bubble, circle hooks, small split shot and centipedes[soft plastic] . Wacky rigged the pede on current seams, let the current do the work . 1 smallmouth and 1 rock bass.Mostly stress relief trip but catching some fish was a definite plus.peacenorm

LAKE ERIE

The Ohio DNR has general Lake Erie info and a fishing report.

LAKEFRONT

See perch report and info on pier passes at top. NOTE: Park Bait closed for the winter.

SALMON SNAGGING: Here is the word on snagging legally on the Illinois lakefront from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources:

4) Snagging for chinook and coho salmon only is permitted from the following Lake Michigan shoreline areas from October 1 through December 31; however, no snagging is allowed at any time within 200 feet of a moored watercraft or as posted: A) Lincoln Park Lagoon from the Fullerton Avenue Bridge to the southern end of the Lagoon. B) Waukegan Harbor (in North Harbor basin only). C) Winnetka Power Plant discharge area. D) Jackson Harbor (Inner and Outer Harbors).

LAKE VERMILION, MINNESOTA

Check Jarek Wujkowski of Rodsbent Guide Service.

LaSALLE LAKE

Closed for season.

MADISON CHAIN, WISCONSIN

Ice prospects at the top. Otherwise, go to Facebook for the latest updates from Gene Dellinger at D & S Bait.

MAZONIA

Closed for the season, but Monster Lake at Mazonia South remains open year-round. Check with Jon Meder at Jon’s Bait Shop–(815) 237-2822–in South Wilmington. Open daily, 6 a.m.-sunset.

MENOMINEE RIVER, WISCONSIN

Check with Mike Mladeik at Mike Mladenik Guide Service.

MILWAUKEE HARBOR

Check the Wisconsin DNR Lake Michigan Report, which generally comes out Tuesdays for updates.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

Waiting on first ice, likely beginning this weekend in spots.

MINOCQUA: Kurt Justice of Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua, Wis. sent this:

Sorry about last week, first missed fishing report in years, but, you didn’t miss much. As for the coming week, lakes are still open, but the cold is coming which should lock up some shallow bays by the weekend. Be careful, best to wait for 3″ before venturing out. Winds on Wednesday and Thursday will help cool the water. Expect ice to form Friday with night time temps in the single digits. Kurt Justice Kurt’s Island Sport Shop http://www.kurtsislandsports.com

NORTHWEST INDIANA

See perch at top. Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted that whitefish are being caught at Michigan City with wax worms or small spawn sacks.

ROCK RIVER, WISCONSIN

No update.

ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN

The Wisconsin DNR Lake Michigan Report is generally posted on Tuesday and includes a Root river section. Click here for the stream flow update, which can be really important for how good the fishing is.

ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN

Phil Schuman

Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said steelhead going for boaters throughout the river; some steelhead and whitefish are being caught off the pier.

ST. JOSEPH RIVER, INDIANA

Click herefor reports from the Indiana DNR.

SHABBONA LAKE

Lake hours are now 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Lakeside is closed until ice fishing. The restaurant is closed for the season. For more information and reports from Lakeside, go to shabbonalake.com or call (815) 824-2581.

SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN

The Wisconsin DNR posts a report at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/OutdoorReport.html. It is usually posted by Tuesday afternoon. Stream flow info is at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/current?type=flow.

WISCONSIN RIVER

No update.

WOLF LAKE

No update.

WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN

No update.

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