Chicago fishing, Midwest Fishing Report: Variable lakefront perch & steelhead, ice slowly builds north

Perch for boat fisherman still good fishing 105st and father into the river xl fatheads best bait. Shore fisherman it’s been slower must change spots and move to different areas and hope to land on a few.

Hey Dale, Here is a recap of this past week’s fishing. Area lakes- waiting. Most lakes have locked up with below freezing temps overnight. Geese are keeping some areas open. We should have open water opportunities later in the week with the forecast showing 50’s and rain.

Here is the nature pic of the week. More Sandhills heading for their wintering grounds. TTYL — Ken Husker O’Malley Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team

so i was fishing for some gills and i caught 2 small perch under the state st bridge, couldnt get any pics cause my phone was updating it self, they were only 6 in, caught maybe 8 gills all were CPR, they were too small to get any meat out of em

Fishing Report 12/6/2020 Mike Norris Big Green Lake – Despite nighttime temperatures dropping into the low 20’s Big Green Lake remains wide open due to its ultra-clear water and depth. I saw several boat anglers on Big Green during the Thanksgiving holiday week, but I am now the only boat out on the water. The resulting lack of pressure on the fishery is paying big dividends for my clients and me. With the thermocline long gone I am locating and catching smallmouth bass at various depths on live bait rigs, and these fish are arguably the biggest my clients and I catch each season. Ice is forming on the shallower lakes in my area, but the late week forecast calls for daytime temperatures in the mid-40’s. So, it will be another week or two before the ice is thick enough to safely walk on the shallower lakes in my area. Barring a deep freeze, I expect to continue to guide for smallmouth, walleyes, and northern pike on Big Green Lake through the start of the new year. For information on guide trips reach out to me via my Facebook page at mike.norris.7773 or email me through my website at www.comecatchsmallmouth.com

Not as fast as we would like, but after the past couple ice seasons…we’ll Take IT! Ice coverage is building throughout the Lakeland area and anglers are heading out (by cleated foot only) to enjoy early ice fishing. Walley: Good-Very Good – Favorite early ice target for many, late afternoon to dusk has been very good in the shallows (2-6’) using tip-ups baited with shiners. Jigging Raps and Shiver Minnows also effective for this aggressive, early bite. Pre-dawn through mid-morning also giving up good action anywhere green cabbage can be found. Crappies: Good-Very good – Most anglers targeting Crappies finding best bites early in AM and again mid-afternoon through dusk. Minnows producing, but jigging lures with flash such as Little Cecils also good tipped with waxies. Northern Pike: Good-Very Good – Big minnows and even Hot Dogs on tip-ups producing. Using a tie-able wire leader and #5 Pimples dressed with minnow heads also putting fish on ice. Yellow Perch: Good – Moving through shallows in what seems to be loose schools taking smaller minnows and striking K-Rips tipped with waxies. Bluegill: Good – 4-8’ weeds. Tear dot jigs tipped with waxies, spikes or plastics all good. While some large lakes still have open water (Fence, Trout) most are locked up and slowly building ice. Nearly snowless, so creepers are essential. Also, use a spud bar to check ice, have a rope and/or float suit, go out with a friend. Reports of ice thickness in 2-6+ range, but caution always required. Kurt Justice Kurt’s Island Sport Shop Like us on FaceBook

Perch for boat fisherman still good fishing 105st and father into the river xl fatheads best bait. Shore fisherman it’s been slower must change spots and move to different areas and hope to land on a few. Steelhead in area tributaries voodoo jigs tipped with waxworms best but spawn sacks work too. Wolf lake giving up some big crappie and a few walleye xl fatheads will do the trick.