High water, at least around Chicago fishing, leads this Midwest Fishing Report.
Ed Mullady sent this note for the Kankakee, but it applies broadly, “Through the years, many really nice fish have been caught at high-water times during spring flooding from the Kankakee, Iroquois rivers and all tributaries.” It’s time to fish flooded shorelines or the eddies and pockets tight to shore, especially with live bait.
This is the extended online version of the MFR, which appears on the Sun-Times outdoors page on Wednesdays.
Well, this is the rivers section for rivers around Chicago fishing. The lakes and areas MFR will follow shortly.
Normally, I post the online MFR, both the rivers and lakes/areas sections, by Wednesday morning.
I will probably separate out the rivers section like this until the fall.
If you have suggestions, post in the comments section or let me know at straycasts@sbcglobal.net.
AREA RIVERS
For an overview of nearby river conditions, click here. Probably a good idea to check.
CHICAGO RIVER
Haven’t heard from Jeff Nolan of Bridgeport Bass or others recently. Holiday weekend usually has tough traffic.
DES PLAINES RIVER
Just dropped below flood stage at Riverside, right at flood stage at Romeoville. Andrew Ragas, Counsellor of the Fish Parliament www.fishing-headquarters.com should resume a report next week with more normal water.
FOX RIVER: WESTERN SUBURBS
Dropped below flood stage at Montgomery and Dayton, but creeks will remain your best option for awhile. Upstream portions are in better flow shape.
Click here for a rumination/report on fishing high water by guide Ken Gortowski. I especially like the guy in a lawn chair fishing from his boat on the flooded river.
ILLINOIS RIVER
The river is under flood at Morris and Ottawa, predicted to be at flood at LaSalle for another week.
KANKAKEE RIVER
The Illinois portion is high, but under flood stage; Indiana side remains at flood.
Here’s the complete note from Ed Mullady:
River is high after rains. Right now dropping a good deal, but much depends upon how much more water hits us! Walleye fair throughout on jig and minnow *jig and crawler *jointed plugs. Best around quieter shorelines or in mouths of some creeks. Pike good, mostly in mouths of Indiana and Illinois bayous. Some even in flooded tree lines where much food has moved into with the higher water. Best on *minnows & bobber fished at different depths *fluorescent colored lures including plugs, spoons, large bucktails. Smallmouth Bass good in both Indiana and Illinois along shorelines behind bridge piers, in creeks on *minnows *crankbaits *Keeper Hooks & Twister tails., spinners. (All smallmouth must be returned at once to water in Illinois until after June 15}. Catfish good throughout area. Try at and around shorelines *brush piles *mouth of bayous. Good on *cheese bait *minnows *chicken liver. Through the years, many really nice fish have been caught at high water times during spring flooding…from the Kankakee, Iroquois Rivers and all tributaries. Boat fishing not recommended at this time due to high water. Not a good time for wading. Best is fishing from the bank and watch out for slippery clay banks!
MAZON RIVER
Morris Wetlands is open for fishing that stretch of the Mazon. Hours will 6 a.m. to sunset.
MENOMINEE RIVER AREA, WIS./MICH.
Guide Mike Mladenik reported “a great topwater bite on the Hubs Chub” and “4-inch Case Magic Sticks are the hot bait on High Falls Flowage.”
ST. JOSEPH RIVER, MICH.
Tyler Harmon Facebooked that the river is high and muddy, only action some sheepshead off the piers.
WOLF RIVER, WIS.: FREMONT
Guide Bill Stoeger said white bass are close to done spawning, but lots of males and a few females remain. Catfish (3-15 pounds) are biting “like mad” on cut minnows or guts of white bass.
LINES ONLINE
ILLINOIS
http://www.heartlandoutdoors.com
CHICAGO AREA CHAT/REPORTS
http://www.foxlakefishing.com/
CHICAGO AREA INFO
DOWNSTATE
MICHIGAN DNR REPORT
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-34956–,00.html
WISCONSIN DNR REPORT
dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/or/
IOWA DNR REPORT
www.iowadnr.com/news/currentfish.html
INDIANA DNR REPORT
http://www.in.gov/apps/dnr/fishing/dnr_fishingreport?display=Lake+Michigan
MIDWEST
NORTH AMERICA
