On and off perch in Chicago and ice retreating north are in the Midwest Fishing Report

A mere 5 oz short of the state record...just caught and released in Michigan City. 13.96 lbs

For your fishing report th is week, 87th and the river up to 95th was Good Friday thru Sunday, it’s dead today. Prob 100+ trying, haven’t seen one caught in almost 3 hours. There has to be 20 boats out at the mouth of the cal, so I imagine something is going out there. I hit the river before 87. One dink, and security is all Over the no go Zones too. Don’t even try it

Perch bite for boats at cal park river mouth area good with some good fish mixed in with all the others xl fatheads seem to be best bait perch fly rigs in orange and chartuese have been go twos Groups fishing shore its day to day fish being caught daily but seems everyday it’s different in where best bit is change spots Tull ya hit them . . . Yes we will be open regular hours on thanksgiving day 5 to 5 we are loaded to the gills with minnows and perch fly rigs

Hey Dale, Here is s recap of this week’s fishing. Area lakes-the warmer temps and rain has open water opportunities again. A few bass can be taken midday on lipless crankbaits over the top of still green weeds. Sunny days (which have been few and far) have been best. TTYL

Fishing Report – 11/25/2019 Mike Norris Big Green Lake – Warmer weather returned to south-central Wisconsin late last week and put halt to early ice fishing in the shallow bays. We didn’t totally lose the ice but with warm weather predicted for early this week most areas that had ice will return to open water. The lack of ice hasn’t stopped me from open water fishing on Big Green Lake and the rewards are still there. My clients and I continue to pursue smallmouth bass in open water and the big bass are cooperating. Water temperature is 42 degrees and bass between 3 to 5 pounds are common and I can also count of catching a few walleyes. Look to sand flats and steep drop-offs to catch most of these fish. I’m using an assortment of sucker minnows and blacktailed chub to entice bass and walleye into biting. Snow is forecast for later this week and by next week we should see ice reforming on our area lakes. Both Little Green Lake and Fox Lake were producing northern pike and walleye on tip-ups early last week, but the ice deteriorated. I would not recommend trying ice fishing on either lake until cold weather returns. Boaters still have an opportunity to soak big suckers for muskie in open water on Little Green Lake. Contact Mike Norris, Wacky Worm Guide Service, at 630-842-8199 for Big Green Lake and other south-central Wisconsin guided fishing trips.

Aug got this Laker day before yesterday off the end of gov pier using a house tied jig. Guys will have to come see us for said jig, fish was about 12 pounds We are selling them. Boats 40 to 70 feet, south, Lakers mostly and a few Kings. Have only had 1 boat report in the last 2 weeks

We have normal hours for Thanksgiving Day 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. . I have no reports from up this way. All reports are from 87th which of course has been pretty decent. Navy Pier reports which have been sporadic some guys catching fish some guys catching none. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Also have some nice sale items for Black Friday!

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). d) Disposition of Snagged Salmon and Paddlefish. All snagged salmon and paddlefish must be removed from the area from which they are taken and disposed of properly, in accordance with Article 5, Section 5-5 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code.

Last week’s rain only caused a little deterioration of the surface ice that had formed. For areas that were fishable, good safe ice remained. Weekend’s weather, though above freezing for a small time, was not enough to mess up ice, but not enough cold to build more ice. Walleye: Very Good – Fish in as little as 5-7’ on shiners on tip-ups as well as jigging Raps, Slender Spoons and Slab Raps. Early ice fish aggressive and starting on some lakes by mid-afternoon moving on ‘til & thru dark. Fsh of several year classes (sizes) with plenty of eaters (15-19) and lots of slot fish of 20+ being caught and released. 26 ¼ weekend’s best C&R! Northern Pike: Good – Large shiners or chubs best bet under tip-ups in 4-8’ cabbage. Whitefish: Good – (Boat angling only!) In 30-42’ using pimples or Northland Forage Minnow jigs. Perch: Good – Most anglers finding good numbers in shallows on small minnows or Forage Minnow Fry (shaped like Bluegill) in 4-8’. Musky: ??? - A few anglers working remaining open waters (Trout, Pres Isle) but no reports here from the sucker soakers. Threat of snow this week could put a kibosh on our early ice season. With 5-7 of ice on the most well used areas, not sure how much weight our new ice can uphold. Reports vary from forecast of 4-24 of snow. Until it arrives, we have no idea. Following weeks cold could help, but not if too much snow. Kurt Justice Kurt’s Island Sport Shop Like us on FaceBook

Perch bite for boats at cal park river mouth area good with some good fish mixed in with all the others xl fatheads seem to be best bait perch fly rigs in orange and chartuese have been go twos Groups fishing shore its day to day fish being caught daily but seems everyday it’s different in where best bit is change spots Tull ya hit them Steelhead action in area creeks getting better by the week voodoo jigs tipped with butterworms or waxworms best Yes we will be open regular hours on thanksgiving day 5 to 5 we are loaded to the gills with minnows and perch fly rigs

Looks like poor weather till the end of the week, rain, snow, and wind. May as well eat turkey, drink beer, and watch football. Have a great Thanksgiving