ICE FISHING? It’s coming, but it’s not here yet. ‘‘There will not be safe ice by this weekend,’’ according to Kurt Justice of the Island Sportshop in Minocqua, Wisconsin. ‘‘There will be ice fishing for deer hunting [opening Nov. 22 in Wisconsin].’’
PIER PASSES: The $6 passes from the Chicago Park District, which allow access to selected docks in Chicago harbors, will be available beginning Saturday at Henry’s Sports & Bait.
LAKEFRONT PERCH: Many have tried, but few have found. They will be here soon at Navy Pier or at the slip north of 87th Street.
AREA LAKES: Waiting on ice. Trophy-time bass, as Fish of the Week shows and Ken ‘‘Husker’’ O’Malley says. Also, hard-core crappie fishing.
AREA RIVERS: FOX: Johnny ‘‘Sunshine’’ Pajak: ‘‘Best walleye fishing of the year’’ by drifting minnows through holes in the late afternoon. ILLINOIS: Time on the Water Outdoors: Sauger are moving upstream; better catches on St. Bede flats. Crappie turned on around pilings, brush or barge tie-offs.
KANKAKEE: Norm Minas: Spotty fishing; best on extr- large crankbaits or jig-and-pig on current seams.
CHAIN O’LAKES AREA: Greg Dickson, Triangle: No ice fishing by the weekend. Otherwise, some muskie fishing on suckers or guys crappie fishing.
DELAVAN/GENEVA LAKES, WISCONSIN: Brian Gates, Lake Geneva Bait & Tackle: Variable action on Delavan. Some bluegills tight to shore at Lake Lawn and crappie east of Assembly Grounds. On Geneva, some perch tight to shore.
LAKEFRONT: Waiting on perch. Snaggers snagging a few groaty kings.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN: It is waiting on safe ice or sucker-fishing for muskie. Focus on larger lakes as smaller ones ice-up.
NORTHWEST INDIANA: Some steelhead in the streams. Otherwise, muskie at Webster or waiting on perch.
ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN: Capt. Eric Conder, Tackle Haven: Steelhead improving in the rivers. Some limit catches of whitefish.
SHABBONA LAKE: Lakeside shop is closed until ice fishing in December.
