[UPDATE 1] Chicago fishing: Inland crappie, access notes and coho on southern Lake Michigan

Carp were starting to spawn and I found a shallow bay they were muddying up and redecorating. I made a cast into a gritty plume and a carp slammed the fly. It was released after a long battle and a quick photo. I moved down a bit and found another pod of rolling fish so I made another presentation. A hard pluck of an eat and another carp was on the line. This fish was bigger, a lot bigger and it quickly tried to return the fly to me via a hard head shake. When I stripped the fly back in, a big green flash came out of the haze and crushed the small carp fly sideways. With a hard run and some skull banging the bass came unbottoned. The blame was on a bad strip set. I was so busy with my eyes on carp that I did not notice the hungry school of bass blitzing and busting on small fish just outside of the carp orgy. I quickly threw on another pattern I like to tie up for bass. A fish producing a huge, ominous wake made a lightning fast charge that followed a thirty foot circular path. I saw the boil over and landed the fly on the edge of it. A few aggressive strips and a behemoth bucketmouth attacked.

. . . most of my people are buying licenses and getting crappies in their favorite fishing places but they won’t tell me where! so when people ask me for a report on a certain type of fish I just tell them go to your favorite hole and if it’s not closed go fish it!

Hey Dale, Again, sorry for emailing so late. Just here to let you know of another crazy week of crappie fishing. All prespawn, float and jig was crucial in days without wind. I’d pause for 30 seconds at times before a crappie would hit. Photo below is an 11.75 beauty, all released. I’ve been a happy guy this week, because people stay home, so I can get more room to fish.

Yes, lake county. I’ve been to many spots and they all have crappie going now.

Hey Dale, Here is a recap of this past weeks fishing. Area lakes- crappie continue to be the most consistent bite. Twitch baits worked over weed beds find the most active fish as up and down temps have schools roaming. TTYL — Ken Husker O’Malley Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team

Caught in a local pond in Lake County, IL with a 1/8 oz. White Tube Jig & a White Tail on a lite rod with 6 lb. test. Caught mid-afternoon on the north shore of the pond on Friday April 3rd. Roger Zimmerman

Hey Dale I got this slab crappie just now on a crappie jig he was about 14 inches , be safe out there and god bless and keep you the good work, Rico Cantu from Lockport iil.

Hello Dale, Got out for a little bit today with my life-long friend Rico Cantu and hooked into this beauty! Didn’t weigh her but measured her at 19 inches. Wacky rigged Green Pumpkin Yum Dinger. Rico got a nice Slab White Crappie as well!

Hi Dale Spring is coming on fast with many signs in Melrose Park. 3 white Egrets passed overhead on Sunday morning while walking Bella. The backyard feeder is busy with Flickers and Downy woodpeckers making their return, along with purple and gold finches. The Crocus are going to give way to the Hyacinths and Tulips, and the daffodils are exploding. I snuck over to the Desplaines River near Schiller Park for a quick 30 minute break on Monday before the showers hit. The water was high, fast moving and stained. The look of some kind of frozen Latte. A few casts were all that was needed; fish or no fish. I think the next fish that will come to hand is the last of my goldfish/koi hybrids that I raised in my backyard pond over the years. The school went from 45 to 2 last fall. I suspect some late night and off hour raids by a Blue Herron or other critters. I will report with the live release. Being homebound resulted in more on line fishing tackle shopping and viewing of Chicago Sports classics. Hearing Hawk Harrelson refer to the Twinkies on score updates is heartwarming. Almost as good as Johnny red Kerrs analysis during the Bulls Magic playoff game. That being wondering how the backboard and rim are still standing after two first quarter missed alley oop dunks by Shaq Diesel. Tight lines and good health Rob

joe connell 18, of ottawa with 46 1/2 inch muskie from lake evergreen.

Due to the COVID-19 issue, for the time being, we are not requiring people to obtain a liability waiver/permit to boat/fish Thompson Lake at the Emiquon Preserve. All other regulations, including no gas motors, remain in effect and are being enforced. Boating and Fishing Permits for the Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve Due to the closure of Dickson Mounds Museum, boating and fishing permits are available at the small shed at the boat launch parking lot in the Emiquon Preserve’s Visitor Use Area.

I have not had any reports from the lake today although I’m sure there are people down there, most of my people are buying licenses and getting crappies in their favorite fishing places but they won’t tell me where! so when people ask me for a report on a certain type of fish I just tell them go to your favorite hole and if it’s not closed go fish it! Still no boat reports, maybe coming up in the next few days we will have some. For the government pair I would tell guys spawn sacks fathead minnows worms and throw some spoons

Lots lots lots of people fishing Indiana has people everywhere fishing Crappie main thing now with coho second gills number 3 Lots of groups just going and throwing it out whatever hits hits Loomis in valpo potato creek pine lake and lake George all giving up crappie to name a few Coho from portage to cal park scattered some fine a pocket of them and work em

Fishing has been on fire in west Michigan, with a couple nice surprises. Couple of better fish my brother and I have landed while practicing social distancing!