The Hardest-Working Paper in America | 
Sunday, December 3, 2023
News Sports Outdoors

Catfish, The Big Three: Fish of the Week

By  Dale Bowman
   
SHARE Catfish, The Big Three: Fish of the Week

We stick to catfish this week for a theme and celebrate the big three for FOTW.

fotw09_02_15flatheadfoxriver_337x600.jpeg

Larry Jennings sent a reminder (above) that LaSalle Lake remains the optimum spot for shore fishing for blue catfish, Illinois’ biggest gamefish.

Jerome Kackert of Aurora did a heckuva job (left) landing a big flathead, by Fox River standards, on 10-pound line in a 25-minute battle, an epic fight.

It hit a night crawler immediately. He estimated it at 30 pounds and released it.

Bill Freeman of Chicago’s West Side did all right (below) for a big channel catfish.

He caught it on Bluff Lake on Aug. 21 with crawlers.

FOTW, the celebration of big fish and good stories around Chicago fishing, appears Wednesdays on the Sun-Times outdoors page.

Send nominations to straycasts@sbcglobal.net or via Facebook (Dale Bowman) or Twitter (@BowmanOutside).

fotw09_02_15channelcatfish_337x600.jpg

Next Up In News
Netflix looks to curb password sharing, considers ads
Aiming to predict COVID, future pandemics better, CDC opens infectious diseases forecasting center
Joliet farmers wrangle cows thrown from semitrailer after crash on Interstate 80
1 killed, 3 wounded in shootings Tuesday in Chicago
Obama relatives sue Milwaukee school alleging racial bias
Unmasked transit: Pritzker ends mask mandates in public transportation, airports
The Latest
Alaska Airlines will pay $18 in cash for each share of Hawaiian. Hawaiian’s stock closed Friday at $4.86. The sale would still need the blessing of federal regulators.
Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny
Officials from both carriers said the merger would create a larger airline capable of competing with the Big Four. Both airlines would keep their brands after the merger.
By Associated Press
 
The USS Carney in the Mediterranean Sea in 2018. The Navy destroyer shot down three drones headed toward it in the Red Sea on Sunday. The drones were fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen.
Nation/World
Commercial ships hit by missiles in Houthi attack in Red Sea, U.S. warship downs 3 drones
U.S. Central Command said the attacks ‘represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security.’
By Jon Gambrell | Associated Press
 
Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella announces that he will retire from coaching at the end of this season during a baseball news conference at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, in Chicago.
Cubs
Former Cubs manager Lou Piniella falls one vote short of Hall of Fame selection
Piniella was one of eight managers, executives and umpires on the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot Sunday. Jim Leyland was the only one voted in to the Hall of Fame
By Maddie Lee
 
The scene in the 5100 block of North Damen Avenue where 59-year-old bicyclist Donald Heggemann was struck and killed.
Crime
Chicago woman charged in DUI hit-and-run death of Edgewater cyclist
Kali Rynearson allegedly struck cyclist Donald Heggemann on Oct. 23 in a bike lane in Lincoln Square. Rynearson had a blood-alcohol content of 0.20% at the time, police say.
By Violet Miller
 
Police have taken a suspect into custody in a shooting death Saturday at the Hilton Suites in Oakbrook Terrace.
Crime
Man fatally shot at Oakbrook Terrace hotel
Authorities were called to the Hilton Suites in Oakbrook Terrace on Saturday, where shots were reportedly fired. One person was found dead and a suspect arrested.
By Emmanuel Camarillo