Again, kings and other things, summer redux: Chicago fishing, Midwest Fishing Report

Shoreline salmon and trout as well as the return of summer-like fishing lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.

SHARE Again, kings and other things, summer redux: Chicago fishing, Midwest Fishing Report
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A tiny panfish that turned into excellent snapper bait.

Provided by Jason Fox

Shoreline fish for salmon and trout lead this sprawling raw-fie Midwest Fishing Report, but there is other stuff going.

Jason Fox, who sent the photo of the flathead that topped the MFR last week, came back this week with the other end of the size spectrum:

Hey Dale, Caught this pin gill yesterday threw it on a hook and my friend caught this snapper. I thought pics turned out great.

The snapper was a brute.

LAKEFRONT SALMON/TROUT

It’s a mixed bag around southern Lake Michigan, but when caught there are often fish for the memory bank.

CHICAGO: Tom Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait said noticed something this year in that plenty of people are going for salmon and trout and buying better gear to handle the possibility of bigger fish.

Stacey Greene at Park Bait texted:

Good morning Dale. Fishing for salmon and trout has been sporadic like the weather. There’s been a few here and there on a daily basis. I’ve seen a lot more Coho & Steelhead then I have Kings. Still mostly hitting on spoons and crankbaits mostly in the dark, there’s been a few here and there during the daylight hours. Some guys are starting to try salmon spawn and medium roaches. I still think it’s a little too early for bait fishing but it’s fishing you never know.

I hope to give it a shot this evening at Montrose, if I get work done in time.

WAUKEGAN: Capt. Scott Wolfe emailed:

Hi Dale - Out of Waukegan the fishing was good and success was directly related to the weather. On nice days the fishing was great. On windy, wavy days it was slower. In the harbor the water was dirty. This slowed the bite. This time of year the salmon have stopped aggressively feeding as they prepare to spawn and die. They strike out of aggression. In low visibility conditions anglers should try lures with rattles. It may also be time to try skein so the salmon can smell it and maybe get some trout feeding on skein. . . . Out of Chicago the salmon are starting up in the harbors with sporadic reports out of Burnham and Jackson Park of Fish caught with lots of effort and casting put in. Again dirty water should trigger anglers to use rattling baits to get reaction strikes. . . . Have a great week everyone Capt. Scott Wolfe School Of Fish Charters 630-341-0550

NORTHWEST INDIANA: Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station, Ind. texted:

Trolling and casting for returning salmon slow slow slow Some coho steelhead with a few kings being caught in trail creek lil cal and salt creek spawn saks and in-line spinners best baits The most fish are in trail creek and most people at those trail creek spots also Slezs bait shop hours now are 5 am to 6pm everyday in a couple weeks we will go to our late fall winter hours which are 5 to 5 daily I have plenty of spawn saks and skein in stock

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN: Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor, Mich. said fishing slowed since the weekend around the pierheads and in the river, though various salmon and trout moved through the Berrien Springs ladder last week.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: Jose Gutierrez messaged the photo below and this:

Went fishing with Arden Saturday night and was slow to dead fishing for kings out of Milwaukee harbor saw maybe 30 boats and only 3 fish caught. But Arden caught this one

But what was there was quality as the photo showed and Arden Katz said that the spawn bite is starting from what he saw from other boats, he was throwing Rat-L-Traps

Resized/Sun-Times

Arden Katz with a king from Milwaukee Harbor.

Provided

AREA LAKES

Ken “Husker” O’Malley emailed:

Hey Dale, Here is a recap of this past week’s fishing. Area lakes- largemouth have been very good. Early morning hours focus on inside and outside weedlines on 4 1/2 inch senkos. Best bite has been during the last hour of light and half hour after with the harvest moon. Topwater has been best bait with black being best choice. Mosquito spray a must for this presentation!

Pete Lamar emailed:

Hi Dale, It looks like lake and pond fishing for the near future after all the recent rain. . . . In spite of all the rain, I’ve found the retention ponds and forest preserve lakes in Kane and far west DuPage to be very clear, to the point that I haven’t caught much before the sun sets. Bass are going well subsurface. I fished a big popper on an 8 weight over the weekend in a forest preserve lake and got a legitimate 10 inch bluegill and a small pike instead of any bass. Also saw a couple of woodcocks flying over the water after sunset. They were silhouetted against the last light in the west, so there was no mistaking them. Pete

BRAIDWOOD

Resized/Sun-Times

Weekend scene at Braidwood Lake

Provided by Rob Abouchar

BRAIDWOOD

Final day of fishing is Oct. 15.

Rob Abouchar sent the photo above and this:

Hi Dale Bass Tournament action resumed at Braidwood Lake with the Anglers Choice club tournament on Sunday. The tournament went off after a rain, lightning and thunder delay. The winners were Alexander and Alexander in first place. Second place went to Thomas Sanders and Mike Myers with 9.3 lbs for 3 fish. The next Anglers choice tournament will be September 29th from the north launch at Braidwood cooling Lake. The music is moving forward as well. We made it through to the second round of the rock fight at the Brauerhaus in Lombard and also were offered a gig there on November 16th. I am in contact with a local music producer and will be starting recording of my reggae songs very soon. Keeping the dream alive. Also headed back to Wisconsin River to fish Saturday; and bring the boat back home to participate in the Oak Lawn Community High School Bass Tournament on Braidwood September 28th. Tight LInes Rob

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA

All three zones are closed to boating. Check updates at foxwaterway.com or (847) 587-8540.

DAM NOTE: When the water levels settle, just a reminder that the Stratton Lock and Dam will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (with the exception of Labor Day and Columbus Day) through the end of the 2019 navigational season. Through September, the lock will be operated on Wednesdays through Sundays 8:00 a.m.-midnight. In October, it will operate Wednesdays through Sundays 8:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m.

Go to http://www.foxwaterway.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/20318-IDNR_Announces_Updated_Operating_Schedule_at_Stratton-Bolger_Lock_and_Dam.pdf for details.

DELAVAN LAKE, WISCONSIN

Dave Duwe emailed:

Delavan Lake Fishing Report 9/16/19 through 9/23/19 We had 6 to 8 inches of rain last week, As of Tuesday sept. 17th the Slow No Wake has been lifted. For live bait fishermen, it’s time to look to fat head minnows as the bait of choice over nightcrawlers. Last week, I caught all species in the lake on fat head minnows from crappies to northern pike. The fish have scattered from their tight summer schools and are now throughout the weedline and main lake points continue to produce most of the action. Largemouth bass are in the 15 ft depth range, in the weedline just off the main lake points. You can catch them on black and blue jigs or split shot rigged fat head minnows. The best location has been just west of Willow Point, west of the Yacht Club or by Assembly park. Bluegill action has been spotty. Most of the fish are in the deep main lake basin in 35-40 ft of water. I find them hard to catch when they are in that depth range. The best approach is straight lining leaf worms underneath the boat. As the water continues to cool, the deep water bite gets better. I have no idea why they suspend in the main lake basin, but it is a seasonal pattern for them. Look for the fish off the island and in front of the Yacht Club. Northern Pike are becoming more active as the water cools. The best depth range is 12-15 ft in the weedline. They are biting on chrome and blue Rattle Traps and white spinner baits. What I’ve been doing is just slowly trolling down the weedlines in 20 ft of water, casting towards shore. The best location has been from the Yacht Club to Willow Point. Walleye action has been rather slow. I tried last Saturday without success. I had leeches, fat head minnows and nightcrawlers and never got a hit. This is the right time of year to start trying for them. Rapala Husky jerks and Smithwick Rogues should work well, the best color is chrome and blue and chrome and black. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050

DES PLAINES RIVER

Receding from flood or in flood.

DOWNSTATE

EMIQUON: Go to http://experienceemiquon.com/content/nature-conservancy-emiquon-preserve-lake-access. SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing. HENNEPIN-HOPPER: closed for the season.

FOX RIVER

Closed to boating from the Wisconsin line to the Bridge Street Bridge in Millington. Check updates at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/closures/Pages/default.aspx.

Pete Lamar summed it up pretty well when he emailed:

Hi Dale, It looks like lake and pond fishing for the near future after all the recent rain. I explored some Fox tributaries before the big rains on Sunday, hoping they’d cleared up from earlier storms. No such luck: they were still high and muddy. After Sunday’s downpours, I’d expect it to be the end of the week before they’re worth fishing again. . . . Pete

GENEVA LAKE, WISCONSIN

Dave Duwe emailed:

Lake Geneva Fishing Report 9/16/19 through 9/23/19 The week started with unseasonably warm temperatures and by the end of the week we had a massive amount of rain. As of the Tuesday the17th the lake is still slow no wake. The boat traffic has been very light though which makes fishing much more pleasurable. Smallmouth bass are still relating to hard bottoms in deep water. The best depth has been 21-25 ft of water. The best locations are by Fontana Beach, Conference Point or by Black Point. I’ve been using nightcrawlers and fat head minnows with equal success. The bigger fish are coming out of slightly deeper water in the 25-28 ft depth range, but the majority are a few feet shallower. Largemouth bass fishing has been improving. The bass are starting to move into shallower water from their deep summer haunts. Look for the fish in Williams Bay or by Trinkes. The best depth currently is about 14 ft. Use drop shot rigs or Carolina rigged green pumpkin lizards. Northern Pike action has been almost non-existent this summer and that continues. There are a few fish being caught in the 25-30 ft depth range. Lindy rigs with medium suckers have been producing the most but it’s still not that great of a bite. The northern pike will continue to move shallower as the water cools and the fishing should improve significantly. Bluegills remain in the deep-water locations. Some of the nicest fish I’ve caught in recent years are coming right now. The best depth is 22-25 ft of water. Look for the fish by Fontana Beach or by the Chicago Club. Straight lining leaf worms beneath the boat has been producing most of the fish. Lake Trout fishing has started to slow with the cooling water. The fish aren’t suspended as much and they are laying close to the bottom making them hard to catch. There are still some people trying for them in the main lake basin. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050

HEIDECKE LAKE

Final day of fishing is Oct. 8.

ILLINOIS RIVER

Already crested, well under flood stage, and is receding at both Starved Rock and LaSalle.

KANKAKEE RIVER

Best shape of our local rivers, escaped the heaviest rain, and remains in wadeable condition in the usual wading areas.

LAKE ERIE

Check updated fishing reports at http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/fishing/fishing-forecasts-and-reports/the-fish-ohio-report

LAKEFRONT

Rob Abouchar emailed this account of Salmon Unlimited’s Kids Derby on Saturday (and see FOTW):

Hi Dale It was a picture perfect day on Saturday for the Salmon Unlimited Kids Derby at Waukegan Harbor. Close to 150 kids registered for the event and more were present with families and friends. My Leyden High School Bass Fishing team was on hand to help with the event. The team helped set up for raffles and prizes, helped with lunch and patrolled the government Pier, and south rocks to help with any fish catches and releases. Mike our volunteer even helped administer first aid for a bee sting and a sliver. The boys were able to get some casts in and I think what occurred was nothing short of a fishing miracle. Julio Solorzano a Sophomore in the club hooked and landed a big 17.4 pound king. The only time I touched his rod and reel was to tighten his drag. As the fish made several runs left right and into the rocks he listened to my coaching and stayed calm and the fish somehow came to the net. As I scooped it up it barely fit in the net. As we had no net it was some club members who had a brand new long handled net and gladly let us use it. The stuff of dreams. The fish was caught with a Berkely Flicker Minnow in Holographic Fire Tiger. Saturday; the team was also awarded with the Pass The Passion fishing grant from the Salmon Unlimited Fishing Club. The kids had a great experience working at the tournaments. Thanks to Jerry Taylor and Leslie Darling especially, and the rest of the Salmon Unlimited members! Tight LInes Rob

Stacey Greene at Park Bait texted:

Good morning Dale. Fishing for salmon and trout has been sporadic like the weather. There’s been a few here and there on a daily basis. I’ve seen a lot more Coho & Steelhead then I have Kings. Still mostly hitting on spoons and crankbaits mostly in the dark, there’s been a few here and there during the daylight hours. Some guys are starting to try salmon spawn and medium roaches. I still think it’s a little too early for bait fishing but it’s fishing you never know. I’ve had some great reports on some really nice Smallmouth in the harbors in pretty good numbers. Still some sheephead in and around the area one of the guys last week casting for salmon early in the morning caught a 15 pound sheephead by the mouth of the harbor. There’s been a couple perch here and there also nobody’s targeting them but I think if somebody tried they would catch a few. A few Northerns being caught while these guys are casting for salmon also. I think that’s all I got for this week.

Capt. Bob Poteshman of Confusion Charters said it is much the same as last week with lakers good mornings out of Chicago, mornings are dramatically better, very occasional other species.

Out of North Point, some good lakers, generally, in 180-220 feet. There are fish out to 300 and deeper with an occasional steelhead, coho and Chinook. There are lots of smaller (this year’s) coho around.

Capt. Scott Wolfe emailed:

Hi Dale - Out of Waukegan the fishing was good and success was directly related to the weather. On nice days the fishing was great. On windy, wavy days it was slower. In the harbor the water was dirty. This slowed the bite. This time of year the salmon have stopped aggressively feeding as they prepare to spawn and die. They strike out of aggression. In low visibility conditions anglers should try lures with rattles. It may also be time to try skein so the salmon can smell it and maybe get some trout feeding on skein. Trollers best bet is to target lake trout on the offshore reefs from Waukegan to Gumby’s off Evanston. Limits are coming on nice days and rough weather days have limits or near limits with much less action. The lakers seem to hunker down in those condition and are not as active. Warrior Lures Green Menace on 300 coppers and downriggers and Jimmy Fly Laker Taker Mo Rigs in Green Spectra and Orange Guy on coppers and downriggers were best. Some boats are taking limits of coho, but these are tiny and barely legal to keep. They are everywhere from about 100 feet out. They are legal but personally I do not agree with fishing for them just to say you limited out. I hope there are lots out there for next year and hope the boats targeting them are not costing us good fishing for next year. I’m off my soapbox now. Out of Chicago the salmon are starting up in the harbors with sporadic reports out of Burnham and Jackson Park of Fish caught with lots of effort and casting put in. Again dirty water should trigger anglers to use rattling baits to get reaction strikes. Trollers out of Chicago have had mixed lake trout fishing, again the better the weather the better the fishing. Many limit catches but it was not automatic this week. Some of the little dink coho are there, but less out of Chicago. The bulk of the little coho are North of Waukegan and into Wisconsin. One way to avoid killing these little guys is to fish more to the south. Have a great week everyone Capt. Scott Wolfe School Of Fish Charters 630-341-0550

LaSALLE LAKE

Final day of fishing is Oct. 15.

MAZONIA

Final day of fishing Oct. 15, but Monster stays open to fishing year-round.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

Kurt Justice at Kurt’s Island Sport Shop emailed:

Summer’s making another comeback this week, as warmer weather is making a push into the Northwoods. Water temps have creeped up a few degrees from low-60’s now to mid-60’s. this is stalling the fish’s mind a bit to get into their fall routine, but good fishing can be had to those willing to target certain species. Musky: Good – We’re starting to get reports of Muskies coming in, not many huge fish, but a lot in the low to mid-30 range. Top-water action has been good, 190 Whopper Ploppers, Top Raiders and Topper Stoppers have been producing fish, as well as the old stand by Bucktails and spinner baits. Most reports are fish being caught fairly shallow from 4-8’ of water, shallow flats and inside weed edges are the best areas to search them out. A few more reports are showing up on small to medium sized suckers. Northern Pike: Good – Pike are showing up in just about the same area as the Muskies are, shallow weedy areas. Bucktails and spinner baits are both producing well. Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good – Deeper water has been the key the past few weeks for finding the Largemouth. Creature baits and Power Worms Texas rigged have been taking Bass, as well as drop shotting a Wacky Worm. Smallmouth Bass: Good – Some real nice fish being caught this past week. Deep gravel humps have been the ticket. Drop shotting has been landing fish. As well as Ned rigging a Crawz. Crappie: Fair-Good – Anglers are starting to get into a few Crappies. I’ve been hearing a lot of you will pick up a few fish in one spot and have to try another, then another to get a meal. They just aren’t all schooled up yet. Yellow Perch: Fair – If you can find deep wood, that seems to be the best bet to find Perch. Pinched crawlers and minnows are both producing. Bluegill: Fair – Not a lot of people fishing for Gills right now, but those who are, are finding them in 14-18’ of water, worms and small leeches are producing fish. Walleye: Fair – Not many consistent reports, and reports are coming in all different depending on the lake you’re fishing. Deeper lakes, fish deeper 18-30’, crawlers, chubs, fatheads, suckers have all taken a few fish. For the shallower lakes, look for green cabbage weeds, work these areas with the same style of live bait on a light weedless jig. Cooler weather shouldn’t be far away, as well as the better fall bite. Water just has to cool off a bit. Kurt Justice Kurt’s Island Sport Shop Like us on FaceBook

NORTHWEST INDIANA

Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted:

Perch fishing outside the ditch in 18 to 40 ft of water good all last week for the most part a lot of 10 inch fish taken sadly it was the same 3 to 5 boats out doing it Trolling and casting for returning salmon slow slow slow Some coho steelhead with a few kings being caught in trail creek lil cal and salt creek spawn saks and in-line spinners best baits The most fish are in trail creek and most people at those trail creek spots also Look for the fall crappie bite to pick up real soon it’s getting close to that time Slezs bait shop hours now are 5 am to 6pm everyday in a couple weeks we will go to our late fall winter hours which are 5 to 5 daily I have plenty of spawn saks and skein in stock

ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN

The Wisconsin DNR usuaully issues updates on Tuesday or Wednesday at https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/rootriverreport.html

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said fishing slowed since the weekend, but he heard a few perch were picked up; salmon/trout have been slow at the pierheads and in the river, though some numbers went up the Berrien Springs ladder last week; smallmouth, catfish and walleye are decent in the river; all the lakers you want in 100-120 feet.

The Michigan DNR’s fishing report is posted at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82449---,00.html.

SHABBONA LAKE

Clint Sands at Lakeside said muskie picked up, mainly trolling, including a 40-incher last week; bass fishing still has a decent topwater bite going and crappie remain in the cribs and hitting minnows and plastics. Water is normal pool, foot visibility and around 70.

Lakeside is open daily 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Park hours are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. The restaurant is open weekends only.

SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN LAKEFRONT

For the southern Lake Michigan reports from the Wisconsin DNR, go to https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/outdoorreport.html#01

WISCONSIN DELLS

Staff at River’s Edge--https://www.riversedgeresort.com, (608) 254-6494--reported one legal, 60-inch sturgeon, was checked in last week. Otherwise, river is receding from the high water and walleye and white bass are going.

STURGEON:Hook-and-line sturgeon season below the dam (and other river spots across Wisconsin) and runs through Sept. 30. A permit is needed if you plan to keep fish, minimum length is 60 inches. Go to https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/sturgeon/SturgeonInlandFishery.html

WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN

FREMONT: Guide Bill Stoeger:

Morning Dale, haven’t talked in a while, thought I’d better give you an update. Had 6 1/2 of rain last week, water still rising. The high water hurts the crappie fishing, but white bass and walleye are doing well. Mostly down river, from the Rat river to Poygan. Some white bass near the rocks by Partridge Lake, and the sandbar at Templeton Bayou

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