Midwest Fishing Report: Fall Trout

Illinois Fall Trout Fishing Season Begins on Oct. 15 Trout Being Stocked at 37 Locations SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – The 2011 Illinois fall trout fishing season opens on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 37 ponds and lakes throughout the state, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Marc Miller announced today. Fishing is a great family activity and the fall trout season is a great opportunity to take the kids fishing, Miller said. Fall is a great time to spend time outdoors, and we want to encourage youth, families and experienced anglers to participate in the fall catchable trout season. More than 70,000 trout are stocked by IDNR at the locations listed below just prior to the opening of the fall trout season. Anglers are reminded that no trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites from Oct. 1 until the fall trout season opens on Oct. 15 at 5 a.m. To take trout legally beginning Oct. 15, anglers must have a fishing license and an inland trout stamp, unless they are under the age of 16, blind or disabled, or are an Illinois resident on leave from active duty in the Armed Forces. The daily catch limit for each angler is five trout. Anglers are reminded to check the opening time of their favorite trout fishing location if they plan to go fishing on opening day. While regulations allow trout season to open at 5 a.m. on Oct. 15, not all locations are open that early. For more information on fall trout season and other Illinois fishing opportunities, check the web site at www.ifishillinois.org. Illinois fishing licenses and inland trout stamps are available at DNR Direct license and permit locations, including many bait shops, sporting goods stores and other retail outlets. Fishing licenses and trout stamps can also be purchased by using a credit card through DNR Direct online via the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov or by calling DNR Direct toll-free at 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648). Anglers in northwest Illinois are advised that the catchable trout program operated previously at the Coleta Trout Ponds has been relocated due to significant weed problems and public safety concerns due to infrastructure problems at the Coleta ponds. Thanks to the cooperation of the Coloma Township Park District in Rock Falls, trout fishing conducted previously at the Coleta ponds has been moved to Centennial Park Lake in Rock Falls. For more information about all site regulations, anglers should contact individual sites that will be stocked with catchable-size trout. The 37 locations are: Adams County: Siloam Springs State Park, 217/894-6205 Bond County: Greenville Old City Lake (Patriot’s Park Lake), 618/664-2330 Bureau County: Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, 815/454-2328 Christian County: Manners Park Pond in Taylorville, 217/824-3110 Coles County: Campus Pond at Eastern Illinois University, 217/345-2420 Cook County: Axehead Lake – Cook County Forest Preserve District, 847/294-4134 Cook County: Belleau Lake – Cook County Forest Preserve District, 847/294-4134 Crawford County: Crawford County Conservation Area Pond, 618/563-4405 Douglas County: Villa Grove West Lake, 217/345-2420 Jefferson County: Mount Vernon Game Farm Pond, 618/547-3610 Johnson County: Ferne Clyffe State Park, 618/995-2411 Kankakee County: Bird Park Quarry in Kankakee, 815/939-1311 Kendall County: Big Lake at Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area, 630/553-6297 Lake County: Banana Lake – Lake County Forest Preserve, 815/675-2319 Lake County: Sand Lake at Illinois Beach State Park North Unit, 847/662-4828 Macon County: Rock Springs Pond – Macon County Conservation District, 217/423-7708 Macoupin County: Beaver Dam Lake at Beaver Dam State Park, 217/854-8020 Madison County: Highland Old City Lake, 618/651-1386 Marion County: Boston Pond at Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, 618/547-3381 Massac County: Fairgrounds Pond at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, 618/524-4712 McDonough County: Argyle Lake at Argyle Lake State Park, 309/776-3422 Randolph County: Randolph County State Fish and Wildlife Area Lake, 618/826-2706 Randolph County: Derby Lake at World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, 618/295-2700 Rock Island County: Prospect Park Pond in Moline, 815/454-2759 St. Clair County: Frank Holten State Recreation Area Lake, 618/874-7920 St. Clair County: Jones Park Lake in East St. Louis, 618/847-7920 St. Clair County: Willow Lake at Peabody River King State Fish and Wildlife Area, 618/785-2555 Saline County: Jones Lake Trout Pond at Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area, 618/276-4405 Sangamon County: IDOT Lake in Springfield, 309/543-3316 Sangamon County: Washington Park Pond in Springfield, 309/543-3316 Shelby County: Forest Park Lagoon in Shelbyville, 217/345-2420 Tazewell County: Mineral Springs Park Lagoon in Pekin, 309/968-7568 Vermilion County: Clear Lake at Kickapoo State Recreation Area, 217/442-4915 Wabash County: Beall Woods Lake at Beall Woods State Park, 618/298-2442 Warren County: Citizen’s Lake in Monmouth, 309/344-2617 Wayne County: Sam Dale Trout Pond at Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, 618/835-2292 Whiteside County: Centennial Park Lake in Rock Falls, Coloma Park District, 815/625-0272 (New Location for Fall 2011)

(Head): Very good musky, walleye and crappie action, with a good smallmouth bass bite. Deer bow hunters reporting a lot of activity; all in and amidst the lakes and the Wisconsin River of Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau). Outstanding musky action in the central Wisconsin area. A lot of nice fish are being caught on jerkbaits and crankbaits, along with a few nice fish on live suckers. The best activity has been later in the day when the water temperatures have warmed up and the fish have moved up to shallower water. Work rocky shorelines associated with deep water access, as well as weed edges in 6 to 10 feet of water. Musky hunters are also picking up a few nice northerns while targeting the muskies in these areas, so don’t be surprised if one of these fresh water alligators strikes your offering while musky fishing. With the warmer water temperatures recently, the walleyes in the central Wisconsin area have scattered in the main lake and Wisconsin River systems and are holding in several different areas. Most of the fish have been found in 12 to 16 feet of water on the deeper bends in the Wisconsin river, but a few nice fish in the backwater areas are holding in submerged wood. For the best action, jigs tipped with minnows have been working, but a few of the nicer fish have come on jigs tipped with ring worms in blue and purple. The crappie bite in the central Wisconsin area has been very good, but unlike previous years when the crappies have been holding tight to structure at this time of the year, the crappies have with the warmer temperatures been suspending over deep water. Most of the crappies are suspending in 15 to 18 feet of water. Jigs tipped with minnows worked near the bottom have been producing the best catches early in the day, but as the day progresses the water temperatures warm up and the fish will move higher in the water column. For all of your bass anglers, now is a good time to target smallies in the central Wisconsin area. Any rocky shoreline or rock hump in the main lake basins will be a magnet for fall smallies, especially late into the afternoon. As the water temps rise the bass will instinctively move up on rocky areas to absorb the warmth and to feed on unsuspecting forage. For the best action, try running jigs tipped with plastics or crayfish style crankbaits. Bow deer hunters in the central Wisconsin area are reporting a lot of activity in the first weeks of the season. Most of the activity has been taking place early and late in the day near known feeding and bedding areas. Hunters looking to take advantage of the early season should set their stands in transition areas like funnels or neck down areas between these known feeding and bedding areas. Another great location to set up at this time of the year is along a creek bottom. With the warm temperatures that we’ve been having the deer will be looking for a nearby water supply as a source of hydration, and any crossing will become a magnet to deer looking for a quick drink, or an easy access point to cross a waterway.

All around fishing has been a little on the slow side. Few fish here and there. Bass, both Largemouth and Smallmouth are on tops of the list of species being caught right now. Pike are being caught, but not in the numbers they should be this time of year. Lasts weeks Indian Summer slowed the feed bag down a tad bit I would say. Co Owner of Sims-Spinners Dave Mannion has been out almost everyday after work with decent numbers of fish being caught. Inline Spinners and Crankbaits have yielded the best numbers of fish. 4-6 fish days were common place this past week. Bass up to 17? and Pike going just under 30? being taken in slack water areas. White and Red Spinners were the go to colors. With rain in the forecast both Wednesday and Thursday, fish should be on the move good by Friday. Water temps were 61.8 degrees Sunday 10/09/2011. A fellow Des Plaines River fishermen TheWoz recently had a very successful outing for Gar this past Sunday while fishing just below the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, IL.. . . Lastly, Rumor has it… Some Walleye and Sauger have been caught in the lower stretches of the river. After this cold rain and cooler air temps move in, casting for Walleyes should be on top of your bucket list! Remember, ALWAYS keep an eye on your local USGS Streamflow Table before leaving on your next outing. River levels are one of the biggest factors in catching fish and not just fishing.

DesPlaines River —————- Water levels are low and clear (USGS 3.10 in Riverside) with temperatures in the mid to upper 60’s. River is in excellent shape for wading and shore fishing and now is a great time to enjoy fall. Last week’s warm weather did nothing but slow down the fishing and fall feeding migrations for most fish species. For northern pike, anglers are concentrating on areas with deeper weeds, deep rocks in mid-river, log jams, and deeper pools. Most fish are smaller 15-25 inches with most catches taking place in Lake County and portions of the southwest suburbs and down into Will co. Spinnerbaits (white/gold, black/orange, chartreuse), Sims Spinners (white/brass and orange) are yielding best results as are minnowbaits and 4 to 6 inch jerkbaits. Best fishing taking place in afternoons and evenings. Largemouth bass fishing is slightly better with most fish relating to weedlines, channel edges, log jams, downed wood, and slackwater pools. Fish are transitioning off and the next cold spell will trigger their fall movements. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are faring the best with most catches ranging from 12-17 inches. Few smallmouth bass as well with most fish being found in Will County – deeper current and hard rock bottom areas, wood also. Longnose gar are putting on a big feed down south in the Brandon Lock & Dam area. Fish up to 40″ are active and hitting spinnerbaits, inline spinners, and surface lures meant for bass. According to Matt Coppolino, walleye and sauger were beginning to get active before the warm weather resumed and anglers were catching a few after dark from deeper hard bottom current after dark. However, catches have been few and far between in the last week and things likely won’t improve again until temperatures begin falling again.

Delavan Lake 10/10/11 through 10/17/11 Fishing has been very tough over the last week or so. The water is really dirty and I think the warm weather has confused the fish and they aren’t sure whether they should be in their fall or summer patterns. The best bite on the lake remains the walleye. They can be caught off the weedlines. Walleye pike can be caught trolling deep diving crank baits or jigging in 35 ft of water. You want to be just outside the main lake points when trolling. I troll between 16 and 22 ft of water. The early morning hours are the best. You want a fire tiger or pearl colored crank bait which resembles the crappie. Look for the fish by Browns Channel or by the island. You want to get to the lake about an hour before sunrise. Northern pike have been spotty. The pike I’ve caught were in 10-12 ft of water on the weedline. They can be caught on medium suckers fished on a slip bobber. The best location has been by the Oriental boathouse or by the Yacht Club. I haven’t been fishing suckers on lindy rigs so that might be a possibility. Keep the boat on the outside of the weed edge in 17 ft of water and back troll into the wind. Bluegills remain suspended in the main lake basin. They are 20 ft down in 35 to 40 ft of water. A good fish locator is essential to find the active fish. The best presentation is an ice jig or a single hook with a heavy split shot. You want to fish straight lined right beneath the boat. Look for the fish by the Village or off of Willow Point. Perch are being caught in 12-15 ft of water. The best bait is large leaf worms or small fat head minnows. Look for the fish by the outlet channel or down by the old Boy Scout camp. Fish the worms on a slip bobber rig for the best success. Largemouth bass are in 4-5 ft of water around the boat docks. I’ve been concentrating on south shore piers. They can be caught on Senkos or All Terrain Stiks. Green pumpkin or watermelon seed are the best colors. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050 Daily Reports 10/9/11 Delavan Lake, sunny, 75 degrees, light winds out of the SE. Water temp 62 degrees. Caught 1 smallmouth, 3 largemouth – one legal, and a few bluegills. There was excessive boat traffic today. The Bears play Monday p.m. and the Packers play Sunday p.m. Couldn’t really figure a pattern. The fish we caught were all on nightcrawlers. We did have a few bites on medium suckers however, we couldn’t hook up. 10/6/11 Delavan lake, p.m., 80 degrees, SE wind at 10 mph. Water temp 64 degrees. Caught 4 smallmouth bass, 1 northern, 9 largemouth, 2 were legal. The smallmouth and largemouth bass were caught on nightcrawlers. The northern were caught on suckers fished beneath a slip bobber in 7-8 ft of water. The best location was down by the island in 10 ft of water.

Lake Geneva 10/10/11 through 10/17/11 You will never find a warmer October than we have this year. The fish are in a bit of a funk due to the extended heat wave we are having. The lake temperatures have actually been increasing over the past week. Rock bass can be readily caught in the 12-15 ft depth range. They are being caught on split shot rigged nightcrawlers or fat head minnows. The best location has been by the Military Academy or by Knollwood. Smallmouth bass are starting to show up on the main lake points. They can be caught by dragging jigs or Carolina rigging Zoom lizards. The best spots have been Conference Point or by Black Point. The jigs I prefer are All Terrain football jigs in the oz green pumpkin. This pattern will be effective for the next few weeks. Northern Pike action has been improving in the weed flats. Look for the fish in Williams Bay or Fontana. As always, the best approach is slip bobber rigging large golden shiners about 1 ft above the weeds. The only way to fish them is to keep the boat anchored. You want to key on the weed points on the flat. Perch fishing has been fantastic. The fish are in 12 ft of water. To catch the bigger fish, you need to use bigger minnows. You want to slip bobber rig about 1-2 ft off bottom. The best locations have been by Rainbow point or by Knollwood. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat and every day I drive back roads in the western Fox Valley to get to the main road. Every day more corn and soy bean fields are cut and more and bigger flocks of geese are seen cupping the wind over the cut fields, coming in for a landing… Wait, this is supposed to be about fishing the Fox River isn’t it. The past week I had the opportunity to be out fishing on Saturday for about five hours and Sunday I gave myself a good six hours. Saturday I gave up after two hours and Sunday I gave up after one. I got bored. That happens now and then. Fish were being caught, for those 3 hours of fishing I landed 7 smallies and missed another 11, but the numbers were way down compared to what I was getting before the rain we had a week or so ago. There were even a couple of bigger fish in the mix, the largest topping out at around 17 inches. When it comes to smallie fishing, I don’t get any more excited about catching a big fish than I do from catching feisty dinks. I land an 18 inch, nice fish. I land a 6 inch that took me all over the river trying to get away, nice fish and I tend to hold onto and admire them longer wondering, what the heck got into you? Years ago this time of year I used to wander up to the Milwaukee River to fish for salmon and steelhead. Fighting a 3 foot fish in a river that looks like, but is much smaller than the Fox might get me to mutter, now that was a nice fish. I might mutter that once I regained the feeling in my right arm. But to drool and shake over an 18 inch smallie? I don’t think so. I must be jaded. Which is part of the reason why I cut my trips short both those days. I wanted numbers. I had a pretty good idea where to go to attempt to catch a few bigger fish and that was the problem. It would be an attempt. Not worth the effort required. Besides, it was beautiful out both those days. I found myself dawdling down paths and railroad tracks, wandering aimlessly off into the woods. Taking a bunch of lame pictures of the fall colors. They’re up on my blog of anyone would care to go look. I decided to not bother carrying all the fishing crap around and just go for walks. Except for Sunday. A walk was done, but then it seemed like a pretty good idea to just take a nap.

Kankakee River Report: Indiana: Bluegill good Rt. 41 thru 55 *Point area north of English Lake. *redworms *small spinners *fly rod: rubber spiders. Catfish good on *stinkbait *minnows Illinois: Mike Lee, Frank’s Bait, Momence, reports that area smallmouth bass good:catfish good on *catfish bait *minnows *plastic grubs with cheesebait * *Kankakee River State Park: Smallmouth Bass good along shorelines, islands on *minnows *#3 spinners * twister tails *Wilmington Dam to DesPlaines Area: Walleye fair to good on *jig and minnow *Crankbaits *jointed plugs. Smallmouth Bass, Rock bass good.

(Head): Walleye, northern and crappies hitting very well, with musky putting on a good bite in the Eagle River, Wisconsin. Water temps hovering in the lower to mid 50s in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area. Fishing action has picked up very nicely in the Eagle River area, with anglers reporting good to very good all around action. Walleyes in the Eagle River area have started moving out of the weeds into deeper water . First, still try weed areas in 7 feet of water or less. You will find some fish there. Then fish off the weed edges, over hard bottom areas, in 12 feet of water and deeper; and use a jig and a minnow. Very good action, and yes- -the best bite right now is mid day! The walleye are tight to the bottom. Guides are reporting that North Twin has turned on nicely as far as the walleye bite is concerned. Northern are hitting hard everywhere in the Eagle River area. Fish 7 feet of water or less in and around weeds. The northerns are biting on most anything, ranging from a jig and a minnow to a musky bait. Anglers are reporting nice catches of northern in the 32-35 inch range, with a few going near 40. All day bite. Crappies are putting on a very good bite in the Eagle River area, with some nice slabs being caught. Fish 20-22 feet over hard bottom. The crappies will be suspending 3 to 5 feet off the bottom, and at times higher up on the water column. Start fishing near the bottom and work your way up, remembering that crappies only bite up, never down. Use a jig and a minnow. And like the walleyes, mid day right now is providing the best bite. The musky bite in the Eagle River is good. Fish 6-7 feet deep or so off weed edges. Use a jerkbait or a Mepps Musky Killer (#5 is a good size). Some anglers are starting to get a few fish on suckers (12-14 inches), and guides tell us that that action with suckers will improve as the water temps drop. Anglers should know that the suckers are expensive this year, with prices running from about $7 for the smaller ones to $8 for the larger ones. Don’t forget to do a figure 8 when your retrieve is near the boat, as musky are following lures to the boat. Peak action is later afternoon into dusk/early evening. (Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance interviews with Eagle River guides Muskie Matt of Wild Eagle Lodge, Ranger Rick Krueger of Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, and Mat Hegy). Contact info for Eagle River: * Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org * Muskie Matt, 715-891-5980; e-mail: rfrgoutdoors@gmail.com * Mat Hegy, 715-571-7544, e-mail: lunkerclunkerguideservice@yahoo.com * Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, guide/owner Ranger Rick Krueger 715-477-2248 * George Langley, Eagle River Fishing Guides Association, 715-479-8804. e-mail: fishing@eaglesportscenter.com

Yellow Perch: Good-very Good. Surprisingly anglers working weeds and woods from 6-10 feet catching nice perch of 9-11 inches with a few jumbo perch of 12+ inches. Walleyes: Good- Very Good. Flowage catches dropping off, but lakes picking up. Deep humps key, drifting Lindy Rigs or Ventricle Jigging big Fats, Chubs or Suckers. Northern Pike: Good-Very Good. Action probably the best of the year. Mostly live bait, but spinners, spinnerbaits and twitch baits picking up nice pike up to 35 inches this week. Bluegills: Good. Responding well to the warm up. Worms, 1/2 crawlers and even small minnows scoring big gills- 10 1/2 inch was the largest this week. Largemouth Bass: Good. Wacky worms in the 6-12 foot weeds are deadly right now. Also 1/8 oz. jigs with 4 inch worms swam along the weed edges- in pockets are very effective. Smallmouth Bass: Good. Anglers targeting eyes at the top of gravel humps and along rock/gravel fingers. Finding nice smallies (1 1/2-3lbs.) Taking 4-5 inch suckers and chubs in 18-28 feet of water. Fall like weather is expected this week, drops in temp should increase the sucker bite for musky and keep the crappie and walleye bite good. Although the bite for bluegill and largemouth bass will probably slow. Musky suckers and chubs (redtails and blacktails) in short supply, call around for these baits as things may not get much better this fall.

Seeing a few fall/winter steelhead showing up. Warm weathers going to slow things down. Next cold front and rain should bring good numbers of fresh steelhead around. Possible rain Thursday and Friday, and cooler temperatures forecasted for next week. Kings are starting to spawn, so prime time is over for them. Still some good coho action. Inland lakes have been good with this warm weather, bass and gills are on the feed.

Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: October 10, 2011 Kenosha Co. Shore fishing in Kenosha has been generally slow, but occasional Chinooks and browns have been taken in the harbor and off the south pier. Most fish were caught on fresh skein. Flows on the Pike River are low, and although Chinooks can be seen in the river near the mouth, fishing remains slow. Racine Co. Trolling near the harbor mouth in Racine has slowed, but when trollers have been able to get offshore, fishing has been good in 150 to 200 feet of water. Spoons and flashers and flies have taken coho and immature Chinooks, and blues, greens, and whites continue to produce. Shore anglers have been able to catch a few Chinooks on fresh skein, and the area inside the harbor near the Root River has had the most action. Water levels on the Root are very low, but Chinooks, coho, and a few brown trout have been caught. Most fish have been taken downstream of the Root River Steelhead Facility, and spawn sacs and flies have both produced. The first fish processing day at the Root River Steelhead Facility was Saturday, October 8. DNR crews passed upstream a total of 266 Chinooks, 8 coho, and 16 brown trout. Fish will be processed again on Thursday, October 13. Milwaukee Co. In Milwaukee, the majority of fishing pressure remains in the rivers, however, shore anglers in the harbor have taken some Chinooks near McKinley Marina and the Milwaukee Yacht Club. Fresh skein has taken the most fish in that area. Water levels continue to drop on all Milwaukee area tributaries. In the Milwaukee River, most anglers have been concentrating in Kletzsch Park, but success there has been minimal. In Oak Creek fishing remains slow. Ozaukee Co. Port Washington Ramps: Fishing pressure has been moderate, and trollers have had very good success fishing in 100-220 feet of water. Flasher/fly combos have been the most productive lure, with pretty much any color combo producing fish. Most fish have been taken off the downriggers down to about 35 feet of water. Kings have been the main catch with a few lakers and cohos also being taken. Port Washington Harbor/Shore: Fishing pressure has been very high, but the catch rate has slowed down a bit. Spawn has remained the most productive bait followed by crankbaits. Most anglers have been catching mainly kings, with cohos and rainbows also being caught. The clear water temperature has been around 58F-60F. Port Washington Pier: Fishing pressure has been light, and fishing remains slow. Most anglers have been casting spoons with limited success. The clear water has been around 66 degrees F. No fish were reported caught. Port Washington Power Plant: Pressure has been high, but fishing has slowed somewhat. Spawn and crankbaits remain productive. Most anglers have been catching mainly kings, with cohos and rainbows also being caught. Sauk Creek: The water level has dropped drastically, and the flow has diminished. Fish are now up the creek but are stuck in some of the deeper pools, and anglers are having moderated success catching the fish. The water temperature was around 62F. Flies and spawn have been the most productive lures, and kings, cohos and some rainbows have been reported caught. Sheboygan Co. Sheboygan Ramps: Fishing pressure has been light, and trollers have had good success targeting fish in 120 to 200 feet of water. Fishermen have had the most success trolling with spoons or flasher fly combos coming off the down riggers, and a mix bag of Kings, rainbows, and lakers have been reported. Sheboygan Piers/Shore: Fishing pressure has been light, and catches have been hit or miss. Most anglers have been casting spoons with little success, but occasional coho have been taken. The water temperature was around 64 degrees F. Sheboygan River: Fishing pressure has been high, and anglers have had moderate success catching fish. Fish can be found in the deeper pools but are very spread out. Flies and spawn have been the most productive lures. The water flow has dropped drastically, and the water level has decreased about a foot. The water is clear, and temperatures have been around 64 degrees F. Pigeon River: The water temperature was at 62F, and the water is very clear. No fishing pressure has been recorded due to low water.