Ice fishing around Chicago: Arrives late, but it’s here

As Lady and I rambled into the dawn Monday, patches of open water on the town pond showed through the flurries, I suspect a result of Saturday’s wind and Canada geese. Even after days of serious cold, the mid-winter ice is just firming enough to a serious beginning to ice fishing, with caution.

It’s been an odd year for ice and wintry weather, especially since things started freakishly early. For some, the big snow so far remains the one on Halloween. Some of the backwaters and back channels on the Chain O’Lakes and lakes near the Wisconsin border had ice fishing by the second week of November, earliest I remember in my 20-plus years of doing the outdoors for the Sun-Times. In the months since, it’s been spottily sporadic at best near the Wisconsin line.

But, finally, more general ice fishing comes.

With serious cautions.

On Monday, Lakeside proprietor Clint Sands said some were on the ice at Shabbona Lake, primarily around the no-motor zone, piers and the campground shoreline. But he cautioned that there still about six open holes.

Fishable ice came so late that Sands said they will not open for ice fishing, so have supplies before you arrive.

Monday evening, Steve Palmisano of Henry’s Sports and Bait called with an update from DuPage County. He and another angler were catching crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass on about 4 1/2 inches of ice.

``In general, there’s good conditions: I give it the green light,’’ he said. ``But there was some open water in the middle.’’

That last sentence is true across many waters in northern Illinois.

``We’re fishing now,’’ said Greg Dixon, proprietor of Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch, Tuesday morning. ``It turned around quite nicely. Our snowfall was around four inches, the saving grace was some ice and rain to knock it down, then it froze and tightened up.

``We are probably parked at 5-6 inches in most places [on the Chain]. We have been busy. Seems like folks are going all over the damm place.’’

Dickson has been doing this for nearly half a century, so his final words carry weight, ``You always got to approach this with caution. Always, always, err on caution. But a lot of folks are out.’’

Provided by Steve Palmisano

SHEDS: I put the final two hours of daylight Monday into hunting for shed antlers. Apparently, I was early. The second winter herd I crossed included a buck still sporting a notable rack. At least I’m looking in the right spots.

HUNTING: When harvest numbers come for Illinois’ deer seasons, I will post at chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors

WILD THINGS: SCORE host Dan Bernstein DM’d Sunday about an osprey flying over a CVS in Darien. It’s been that kind of odd year.

STRAY CAST: My wife thinks Matthew McConaughey’s ice-fishing ad would be better if he was shirtless; I think it would be better if he drove the car out on the ice.