Waiting on ice and dealing with variable perch in Chicago for the Midwest Fishing Report

It’s been cold 40 degree water but I fished a buck tail jig very slow in quiet deep water and got this four pound smallmouth last Friday in the Kankakee river sincerely George peters Plainfield

Perch perch perch is all I here been good most days xl fatheads best bait

Good Morning, a friend fished 95th st. By boat Saturday and said between two guys they managed 16 nice size Perch that’s the only report I’ve heard about Perch. Guys going out of Northpoint are finding Lakers in 50 to 70 f.o.w as of Saturday. With the Holiday past I hope to get out this week I’ll keep you updated.

No perch reports from up my way but I hear 87th is still pretty good .

Hey Dale, Here is a recap of this past week’s fishing. Area lakes-fishing has been slow as weather has not been very cooperative lately. Best bet is still going with live bait for bass and crappie during afternoon hours. Carp on a jerkbait. Go figure. TTYL

Fishing Report – 12/02/2019 Mike Norris Big Green Lake – I experienced a little bit of everything when it came to weather in south-central Wisconsin last week. The week started out with daytime temps warming to the mid-40’s and any ice left on area lakes melted away. I had success chasing smallmouth bass by boat early last week, but by mid-week boat fishing wasn’t an option due to rain and strong winds. Add in the opening of gun season for deer plus the Thanksgiving holiday and there were very few anglers out during the middle part of the week. Water temperature on Big Green Lake is down to 41 degrees on this 7,230-acre lake and because this lake takes so long to freeze, Big Green remains the best bet for open water fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. This past weekend anglers took advantage of shoreline angling opportunities for walleyes on both Big Green and Beaver Dam Lakes. The best technique for Big Green involved casting shallow running minnow baits after dark from public shoreline areas near Hattie Shorewood Park. A minnow on a plain hook and a split shot two feet below a float worked best for walleyes below the dam at Beaver Dam Lake. I’m still monitoring the weather forecasts and looking for days where I can fish for smallmouth bass by boat with live bait on Big Green Lake. I might get that opportunity mid-week with daytime temps predicted in the low 40’s and nighttime temps no lower than the mid 20’s. Contact Mike Norris, Wacky Worm Guide Service, at 630-842-8199 for Big Green Lake and other south-central Wisconsin guided fishing trips.

No perch reports from up my way but I hear 87th is still pretty good . Still some steelhead being caught over at Diversey. I will definitely be open through this weekend and if the weather allows I will go through the weekend of the 14th/15th.

A few browns off the end of pier and south rocks, reports very slow due to holidays. Aug and I are going to try again off the pier, I’ll let you know

Good Morning, a friend fished 95th st. By boat Saturday and said between two guys they managed 16 nice size Perch that’s the only report I’ve heard about Perch. Guys going out of Northpoint are finding Lakers in 50 to 70 f.o.w as of Saturday. With the Holiday past I hope to get out this week I’ll keep you updated.

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.

Two, count’em, TWO snow storms in the last week of November (second started in November, ended in December) put a lot of heavy, wet snow on what ice had formed on the smaller lakes and bays so far! Ice is still there and fishable, but under inches of slush and snow making walking difficult. Bluegills: Very Good – Anglers venturing out between, and after, storms doing very well in 5-7’ depths on Gills using light, lead jigs (slower drop) tipped with waxies or Beaver Tail. Perch: Good – Shallow Perch fishing producing nice eaters in 4-8’ on medium fatheads. Walleye: Good – Fewer reports than last week, yet anglers venturing out finding good fishing in 5-8’ of water just before dark on tip-ups baited with shiners, suckers or chubs. Northern Pike: Good – Few anglers, but a couple decent reports of Pike in shallow weeds on river shiners or large shiners below tip-ups. Crappies: Good-Fair – Few reports, but some catches on small minnows on rocker jigs. Pre-storm, where there was ice, we were hearing reports of 5-7 inches of ice. The weight of the recent snow is bad news for the earliest ice that has formed. Slush makes travel difficult. More than ever, with snow cover present, use caution – spud your way out and take along safety spikes, rope and wear your floating ice suit (or get one!) If there is good news its that following the high, cold winds of the storms, Monday’s calm (12/2) allowed the open water to skim over. These areas of New ice should build some great thickness in the following week, without the hindrance of snow cover, to open new areas of fishing. Don’t forget this weekend’s ICE EXTRAVAGANZA at Kurt’s. Three days of PRO-STAFFERS, Company Reps, Deals, Giveaways. Lots to check out! Kurt Justice Kurt’s Island Sport Shop Like us on FaceBook

Perch perch perch is all I here been good most days xl fatheads best bait More and more steelhead coming in to the area creeks voodoo jigs tipped with butterworms seem to be most popular Last batch of musky suckers for the year are here 10 to 12 inch