Midwest Fishing Report: Lakes and rivers around Chicago fishing

(Head): Musky, walleye, panfish and bass all hitting, with bear hunters doing very well, and archery deer season stars; all in and amidst the lakes and the Wisconsin River in Wisconsins Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau). Fishing in the central Wisconsin area continues to be very good. We have been having really good action from muskies on jerk baits like Suicks and Reef Hawgs along with some nice fish still be caught on BIG bucktails. Most of our action has been in 3 to 5 feet of water associated with weeds and/or wood structure. A lot of activity is taking place during lowlight periods early in the morning or late in the day, but when there is cloud cover we are seeing some good action during midday hours. The walleye bite in the central Wisconsin area has been very good with numbers of nice sized fish being caught on almost every outing. A lot of the fish we are catching are coming in 8 to 12 feet of water associated with submerged wood and rocks. We are still seeing consistent action on jigs tipped with night crawlers, but are starting to see good action on minnows now that the water temps are cooling down. The panfish bite has been outstanding in the central Wisconsin area. We have been having excellent action on giant bluegills and some really nice crappies. Most of the action is taking place in the deep submerged wood in 8 to 14 feet of water. Most of these fish are staged close to, or near to the bottom and are being taken on light jigs tipped with a piece of crawler or a small crappie minnow. We are also picking up a few jumbo perch as well. This past week the action on smallmouth bass has been really good in the central Wisconsin area. We are also seeing a couple of nice largemouth bass as well. Both largemouth and smalls are coming on top water baits in shallow water, along rocky rip-rap areas or shoreline wood in 3 to 5 feet of water.

Delavan Lake 9/17/12 through 9/24/12 For the most part, fishing on Delavan Lake has been quite spotty. The few times I was out, I got extremely lucky finding some active fish. The fish aren’t in a normal pattern right now as we transition from summer patterns to fall. Bluegill fishing has been average. I’ve been catching most of my fish in the weeds in 10-12 ft of water. Most of the action has come from Viewcrest or by the Marina on the north shore. I’ve been straight lining leaf worms right beneath the boat. Largemouth bass have been scattered throughout the weedline. I’ve found that they haven’t been as schooled up as normal with the cooling water temperatures. I’m finding the fish in mid range weeds. The best depth for me has been 12-15 ft. The only thing I’ve been able to catch fish on has been nightcrawlers. I’ve also tried slip bobbering medium suckers but that hasn’t been working as well. With some cooler weather, the fish will be turning to fat head minnows within the next couple of weeks. Northern Pike action has been steady. There has not been large numbers of fish caught but if you concentrate your efforts, you’ll be able to catch a few every trip. Most of my success is coming out of the 16-17 ft weeds. You want to lindy rig medium suckers. Look for the fish by the Village Supper Club or over by Assembly Park. Walleye fishing has been kind of slow. We are about 3 weeks away from the start of some of the best walleye fishing Delavan has to offer. The most success I’ve heard has been on leeches fished by the marina in 20 ft of water. The peak time to catch them is in the evening right before dusk. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050 Daily Reports 9/16/12 Lauderdale lakes, sunny 70 degrees, light winds out of the east at 5 mph. Caught 10 largemouth bass, most were small and a handful of pan fish. Caught some of the fish on slip bobbers and a split shot rigged worm. Most of the action came in Green lake near the Girl Scout Camp. The key was scattered weeds in 15 ft of water. The thicker weeds didn’t have much action. 9/15/12 Delavan Lake, sunny, 70 degrees, light winds out of the north at 5 mph. Caught 8 largemouth bass and 20 bluegills that we kept. Tried fishing main lake points again, but the fish have moved off of them, they were in 12 ft of water in scattered weeds. The best approach remains split shot rigged nightcrawlers. 9/13/12 Delavan Lake, cloudy, N wind at 15 mph, air temp 65, water temp 70 degrees. Caught 15 largemouth, 3 were legal and 30 bluegills. Tried fishing the main lake points without much success, switched to 12 ft of water by Viewcrest and caught most of our fish. The 30 degree cold front had little effect on the fishing. All fish were caught on a split shot rigged nightcrawlers.

Lake Geneva 9/17/12 through 9/24/12 The late summer patterns are still very much intact. Fishing overall has been good. Fish still remain relatively deep in 15-20 ft of water. Smallmouth bass are being caught on lindy rigged nightcrawlers or small yellow perch also lindy rigged. The best location has been by the old Military Academy or by Holiday Camp. Once you find the fish there isn’t much need to move around. Bluegill fishing has been very good. The bigger bluegills remain in the 20-24 ft depth range. You want to straight line leaf worms right beneath the boat. Look for the fish by the Yacht Club or over by the Military Academy. Elgin club has also been producing some nice fish. Rock bass fishing has been very good. Most of the fish I’ve been catching are in the 12-14 ft depth range. The fish are by Belividere Park or by Elgin Club. Making a drift from Knollwood to Elgin or vice versa has been producing some of the best catches I’ve had in recent weeks. With the cooling water temperatures, the rock bass will start hitting hair jigs or minnows better than they have the past month or so. Walleye fishing has been relatively good at night. You want to troll large Rapala’s. The best location has been by Abbey Springs or over by Yerkes Observatory. Work a depth of 12-15 ft of water. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050

Fall Hours starting Tuesday, September 4, 2012 Bait Shop Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 7 Days/Week Boat Rental Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday-Sunday Last Day of Operations for the year is Sunday, September 23, 2012

I’ve been doing better for smallies since my last report. I’ve been fishing a jig + twister, believe it or not. I haven’t landed any monsters but have been getting better numbers. We need rain. The water has a nasty green hue. Even I dare not wet wade. Flatheading has wrapped up, salmon should be going any day. We’ll get in a few late season trips once the salmon are done. Those are always hit-or-miss.

Okay, no fishing report probably for a couple of weeks. But I did put up a fishing prospects thing on my blog on Saturday. I like it. http://waterdogjournal.com/2012/09/15/so-where-were-you/

Green Bay Fishing Report: September 17, 2012 Brown Co. Green Bay:It was very slow this week, and the creel route was not run as much this week. Fox River:In the Fox River and at the mouth of the river, a few people were targeting Musky. It was very slow and not much success. Geano’s Beach:There were some Musky fishermen out of Suamico and Geano’s beach. Not many fish were caught, but there were some fish being caught here and there. Suamico:There were some Musky fishermen out of Suamico and Geano’s beach. Not many fish were caught, but there were some fish being caught here and there. East Shore Overall the fishing pressure was low during the week across all places, but it picked up in Sawyer Harbor and on Little Sturgeon Bay over the weekend. Water temperatures seem to be similar across Bayshore Park, Chaudoir’s Dock, Little Sturgeon Bay, and in Sawyer Harbor of about 68 degrees. Bayshore Park:At Bayshore Park, fishing pressure was low, but fishermen were looking for Perch and Walleye. Perch numbers were steady with an average size being between 8 to 10 inches. There were a few Perch that were larger in size, around 12 to 13 inches. Fishermen were using minnows and night crawlers in about 20 feet of water. Walleye numbers were very low, they were being caught on flicker shads and crank baits (tiger color). Sheepshead, Catfish, Gobies, White Perch, and White Bass were also being caught. Chaudoir’s Dock:At Chaudoir’s Dock, fishing pressure was low, but fishermen were targeting Perch. Numbers were steady for the week, and they were using minnows and night crawlers for bait with night crawlers being the most successful. The Perch were being caught in about 26-27 feet of water and they averaged in sizes of about 6 to 8 inches. Fishermen were also catching Sheepshead, Gobies and White Perch. Sawyer Harbor:In Sawyer Harbor, the fishing pressure was slow during the week, but picked up on the weekend. Fishermen were targeting Perch, Northern Pike and Musky. No Musky were caught, and Perch numbers were okay for the week. Perch were being caught on minnows in about 10-12 feet of water with average sizes of about 6-8 inches. A few Northern Pike were caught on Flicker Shads, crank baits (fire tiger in color), and Rapalas (No. 18, perch, and purple color). The Northern Pike ranged in the water column of where they were caught, anywhere from 8-12 feet and up to 25 feet of water. Gobies were also being caught. Little Sturgeon Bay:On Little Sturgeon Bay, the fishing pressure was slow during the week, but it picked up on the weekend. Fishermen were targeting Perch, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Perch numbers were good this week with fishermen using night crawlers and minnows. They seemed to be caught in more shallow waters. The bigger sized Perch (8-10 inches) were caught in about 4 feet of water, while the smaller sized Perch (6-7 inches) were being caught anywhere from 11-15 feet of water. Now Walleye were caught, but fishermen were using stick baits and spoons (Walleye color) for bait. One Northern Pike was caught and released on a Rapala (purple in color). Smallmouth Bass numbers were very low this week; fishermen were using tube baits (green pumpkin, dark melon in color). Gobies and Sheepshead were also being caught. Oconto Co. Fishing pressure this past week has been light due in part to wind weather and low water. Floating weeds have been a problem for walleye fishermen trolling the Bay. The panfish bite below the Stiles Dam remains fair to good with garden tackle working well; fly fishermen have also been doing well using bead head nymphs drifted cross current. Some smallmouth are being caught downriver on the Oconto from the Highway 141 Bridge to the mouth of the river. Crank baits and plastics are the baits of choice. Walleye and perch were hard to come by this past week, although a couple of fishermen reported a fair perch bite about a mile out of Oconto Breakwater Park. Marinette Co. Fishing pressure this past week has been light due in part to wind weather and low water. Floating weeds have been a problem for walleye fishermen trolling the Bay. The Peshtigo River is experiencing very low water at this time rendering the boat launch at the mouth of the river and Klingsborn landing unusable to most water craft with the exception of kayaks and canoes. Some panfish are being caught by the Dam in Peshtigo using crawlers and worms; look for the deep water pockets. Salmon action at Little River has yet to start with the water being extremely low. Some very nice walleye are being reported being caught around Green Island off the mouth of the Menominee River in 15 to 30 feet of water using large stick baits. A few brown trout are being caught at the Hattie Street Dam by sturgeon fishermen using crawlers.

KANKAKEE RIVER 0916 12 HI! LOOKING FOR MORE WATER.! SMALLMOUTH BASS: Hitting best where fishing is at places where fast water flows near quieter water movement! Good in both Indiana and Illinois locations on *Wtd Keeper Hook & Single or Double Twister tails *Crankbaits *Spinners*live minnows*crawfish. ====================================================================== LARGEMOUTH BASS: Fair to good in Indiana and Illinois along mouths of Bayous *Places where ditches,creeks enter main river*Below Dams, Spillways *In the water logs and brush. Same in Illinois locations. Good Baits: *Spinner baits *live minnows *live and plastic night crawlers *#3Mepps Spinners. ====================================================================== NORTHERN PIKE: Good in Indiana around Point near English Lake*Baum’s Bridge Area *Thayer area. In Illinois, Good ineast of Momence, Aroma Park area, Kankakee Dam through Johnson Veterans &Fishermans Park in Kankakee, *Wilmington Dam through Island Park. Good baits: 4-6″ live minnows *Jointed minnow shaped plugs *Weedless Doctor Spoons *large spinners.. ====================================================================== WALLEYE: Fair throughout river. Best throughout river in shallow waters close to deeper water. Best fishing at low light hours. Good Baits: Live Minnows *Jig and night crawler *Jointed(or Double Jointed)plugs *Rattlin Rogues *Mepps #3 Spinners. ===================================================================== ROCK BASS, CROPPIE, BLUEGILL: Fair to good on quieter edge waters(Rock Bass in shallow , fast water). *Live nightcrawlers *redworms* 2-3″minnows *small Beetle Spins *Fly rod poppers *sponge spiders. ====================================================================== CATFISH: Good, in both IN and IL on *4-5″ live minnows *cheesebaits*raw hamburger *chicken liver *live night crawlers. Best fishing low light hours and during nightime! ====================================================================== River is low, much good waters(some tough to fish)are weedbeds,in water logs, brush piles, drifts. Be sure to check fishing areawhere fishing is allowed in some areas of various parks, F&W Areas, Forest Preserves, State Areas,conditions when Hunting is allowed. Best to you, Ed Mullady

The river is a bit below normal flow, very clear, weeds flowing and algae on the bottom still a pita in the usual areas. The water temps are bouncing from high 60’s to mid 70’s. For the most part I stayed upstream from most of the real weedy stretches. I fished, when I got out, pipeline areas and areas with large rocks and/or boulder. Rattlebaits and crankbaits were doing the job well enough that I really didn’t need anything else. In the areas with large rock/boulders banging the lure off the rock was the best tactic. In the rest of the water a faster retrieve was working best. I did make a short side trip to Bird Park quarry to give my aching knee a break. I found that crawling a plastic up the ledges was the best way to go. Not a lot of largemouth but enough to make it interesting until the bite died.

(Head): Good to excellent action for northern, and panfish, with a good bite for musky, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass; all in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area. Water temps in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area are hovering around 70 degrees. Best all around action is on the Eagle River Chain of 28 lakes (largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world), except for smallmouth bass which are hitting best on the deeper, clearer lakes in the Eagle River area. Northern in the Eagle River area are in 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds. Use a small bucktail, a Husky Jerk in a walleye or minnow pattern, or a northern sucker under a slip bobber. Good to excellent action. Panfish (crappies, bluegills and perch) are in 15 feet of water or less off of weed edges, in the Eagle River area. Use a chunk of crawler or a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or jig. The perch will be tight to bottom, with the crappies and bluegills suspending up and down the water column. Good to excellent all day bite. Musky in the Eagle River area are in 10 feet of water or less in the weeds. Use a bucktail, topwater, or jerkbait. All day bite, with peaks early and late. Normal retrieve, with a figure 8 as the lure nears your boat. Good action. One note: While suckers will work, they’re very tough to keep alive in this warm weather, so musky hunters are not using them to a great extent right now –especially because of the high prices for the suckers. Walleye in the Eagle River area are tight to bottom in 10-20 feet of water off of break edges. Use a jig and a fathead minnow. All day bite, with peaks in the evening. Good action. Largemouth bass in the Eagle River area are in the weeds in 10 feet of water or less. Use a top-running plastic frog or rat, or a plastic worm rigged Texas style. Good action. Smallmouth bass are locating in the deeper, clearer lakes in the Eagle River area. Fish 10-20 feet of water off of break edges over hardbottom (rocks, gravel, sand). Use a plastic tube or crawfish, a deep diving crankbait, or a jig and a minnow. Good all day bite. (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

Just starting to see a significant drop in water temps. This coming week should bring the type of temperatures we want to see for a good fall bite, so get ready. Smallmouth Bass: Good. Walleye anglers plying gravel humps with chubs, leeches and crawlers finding big smallies in depths of 18-28′. Anglers targeting smallies using creature baits and sculpin imitations on 1/4oz football jigs reporting nice fish to 21″. Perch: Good. Drowned wood (cribs) in 14-18′ holding nice perch of 10-13″+. Minnows, 1/2 crawlers on weedless jigs (Weedweasels, Slo-falls) and hanging below slip floats doing best. On shallow lakes, perch taking medium fatheads, 2″ twister grubs on 1/16oz jigs in 6-8′ weeds. Bluegills: Good. Warm weather over weekend helped out anglers fishing fills. Worms, tiny jigs, plastic and Gulp Alive 1″ fish fry grubs best. Fishing best in 8-12′ though pumpkinseeds very aggressive in shallower 4-8′ depths – this could change with colder temps coming. Crappies: Fair-Good. Still scattered and hard to get numbers. Most catches along 14-16′ weeds, though some shallow fish (6-8′) and deep (28′) caught this week. Largemouth Bass: Fair-good. Spotty action along weedlines. Jigging 1/8oz jig with 4″ plastic worms, Wacky hooking 4″ Senkos and Carolina rigging same producing ok. A few reports of good top water on warm evenings and spinnerbait action. Pike: Fair. Some action on chatterbaits and Boonies in the afternoons, some live bait action. Cool down should help this one. Walleye: Fair. Deep gravel best bet as fish seem scattered. Work mud at base of humps with 1/8oz – 1/4oz jigs and large fathead or 1/2 crawler. Weed bite mostly quiet unless green weeds and some current nearby. Musky: Fair. Some bucktail and twitchbait action. Live bait slow – this could change dramatically if water temps dip to high 50’s, low 60’s by weeks end. Then get out some sucker rigs, but keep throwing bucktails and top-water baits. While morning water temps dropped to 60-64 degrees over weekend, daytime temps rose to 65-68 degrees. For traditional fall species (Musky, Walleye, Crappie) this next week should kick start some better action.

Southern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: September 17, 2012 Kenosha Co. No report. Racine Co. Lakefront:Anglers were primarily targeting browns and Chinooks from the pier and in the harbor. The Chinooks that were caught were caught off of both north and south pier in pre-dawn hours using glow spoons. A few brown trout have also been caught using spoons, and those fish have been caught during morning and evening hours. Trollers have had success with dipsey divers and flies along with trolling spoons anywhere from 30-70 feet down in 50-100 feet of water depending on the day. Anglers were focusing mainly on Chinooks and browns in shallower water including the river channel, but strong winds and fish being very scattered have kept their success at a minimum. Root River:Water levels are very low on the Root, and temperatures have been around 65-68 degrees. No anglers were seen fishing due to the low water levels, and no salmon or trout were seen migrating upstream yet. A few anglers were seen fly fishing for smallmouth bass upstream of the Root River Steelhead Facility, and they were catching some small ones in the deeper holes. The 4th AnnualRoot River Steelhead Facility Open Housewill take place on Saturday, October 13 from 9AM – 3PM. At the Open House, DNR staff will provide guided tours and spawning demonstrations. Volunteers from Salmon Unlimited of Wisconsin will conduct Lake Michigan fishing seminars, kids casting, knot tying, display a trolling boat, and provide salmon cooking tips, techniques, and samples. Members of Trout Unlimited conduct fly casting and fly tying. The Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Club will demonstrate tying both stream and trolling flies, and other local organizations will have informative displays. Plan to stop by the Open House at the facility in Lincoln Park on October 13; it is a fun-filled, family oriented event! Milwaukee Co. North Shore:West winds have moved fish into shallower water. Trollers looking for Chinooks have moved to trolling the gaps and the river channel. There were Chinooks being caught, though more fish were still out in deeper water. Other trollers have been focusing in 50-110 feet of water with baits about 60-100 feet below the surface. The best baits have been spoons of various colors and dipsey divers with flasher/fly combinations. Fishing on McKinley pier has resulted in a few brown trout and Chinooks being caught. The brown trout were caught on alewives or throwing spoons or crank baits, while the few Chinooks being caught were in pre-light hours of the day with success on glow spoons and soft plastics producing the best. Fishing with live bait along with casting will increase the chances of landing a Chinook. The best time to catch the Chinooks has been during overnight hours. The shoreline along Summerfest is producing a few small browns and Chinooks with most success on live bait rigs or throwing spoons. There wasn’t anyone seen having successful perch fishing in the area. South Shore:West winds have moved fish into shallower water. Trollers looking for Chinooks have moved to trolling the gaps and the river channel. There were a few Chinooks being caught, though most fish were still out in deeper water. Other trollers have been focusing in 50-110 feet of water with baits about 60-100 feet below the surface. The best baits have been spoons of various colors and dipsey divers with flashers and flies. Fishing under the Hoan Bridge has produced a few brown trout and Chinooks that were reported caught on spoons or alewives on the bottom. Grant Park has produced rainbows and Chinooks caught at daybreak on spoons of various colors; also, a few trout and salmon have begun to move up Oak Creek. Fishing off of the Oak Creek pier has resulted in browns, Chinooks, and rainbows being caught on spoons, crank baits, and spawn sacs during low light hours. There wasn’t anyone seen having successful perch fishing in the area. Milwaukee River:Water levels are low, and temperatures remain in the low-60s. No trout or salmon activity has been seen yet in upriver stretches. Menomonee River:Water levels remain very low, and water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s. No anglers have been seen salmonids. Ozaukee Co. Port Washington Ramp:Low to moderate angler activity. Anglers having successful harvest of mainly Chinook salmon followed by rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and coho salmon. J-plugs and spoons were the most common lures used by these anglers; some flies were successful as well. Fish were harvested in 50-120 feet of water and some as deep as 220 feet of water. Port Washington Harbor/Shore:Low recorded angler activity. Anglers harvesting Chinook salmon using spoons on the rocks and boardwalk around the harbor slips. Port Washington Pier:Low recorded angler activity. Some anglers having successful harvest of Chinook salmon using silver thundersticks and spoons. Port Washington Power Plant:Moderate recorded angler activity. Anglers harvesting brown trout, rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and coho salmon using spawn. Sauk Creek:Both water levels and flow velocity are extremely low. In some areas flow is obstructed by exposed creek bottom across the width of the creek. The small waterfall at Sauk Creek Nature Preserve bridge is almost all exposed stone with minimal water flow. Vegetation is taking advantage of the low water levels and encroaching into the areas that were once small pools of water. Sheboygan Co. Sheboygan Ramps:Low to moderate angler activity. Anglers successfully harvested mainly Chinook salmon, as well as rainbow trout, brown trout, and coho salmon. A variety of baits were successful, including: spoons, j-plugs, thundersticks, rapalas and flies. Fish were harvested mainly in the harbor. Sheboygan North Pier:Low recorded angler activity. Anglers having successful harvest of Chinook salmon on silver spoons. Sheboygan South Pier:Low angler activity. Anglers harvesting Chinook salmon using glow or watermelon spoons. Sheboygan River:Low angler activity. Both water levels and flow velocity are low. Boating, canoeing and kayaking is discouraged from Esslingen Park to the Sheboygan Harbor due to the high volume ofdredging and habitat restorationprojects underway to benefit anglers in coming years. Contaminated sediment is being removed and fish habitat restored to boost fish and wildlife populations and reduce contaminant levels in fish in the river so people can safely eat them. Anglers are now advised do not eat resident fish from the river due to high levels of environmental contaminants. Dredging is being conducted from the Sheboygan Harbor to Wildwood Island, and habitat restoration projects are being conducted at Kiwanis Park, Wildwood Park and Esslingen Park. Anglers should be aware that these projects will limit and sometimes prevent access to those areas of the river. Pigeon River:Very low angler activity. Both water level and flow velocity are very low. Can see large parts of exposed river bottom, especially along shoreline. Weedens Creek:No recorded angler activity. Both water level and flow velocity are extremely low. Creek narrowed encroaching grass. Edgewater Power Plant:No recorded angler activity.