02/01 — Midwest Fishing Report

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:21AM

AREA LAKES: Conditions are extremely variable. Safe ice is gone south of Chicago. Pockets of safe ice west and north might linger until the major cold snap next week.

AREA RIVERS: With springlike conditions, boaters started Tuesday. Time on the Water Outdoors in Spring Valley had so many sauger fishermen that it sold out of minnows and had to restock. The Illinois is up slightly, but it’s very manageable. As of Tuesday, launches are open. On the Kankakee, Ed Mullady suggested trying flooded shorelines or mouths of bayous and ditches for pike or walleye. Crappie should go in bayous or backwaters.

CHAIN O’LAKES: Lakes held some safe ice as of Tuesday, but it is
decreasing. There will be some areas on some lakes — especially on deeper, later-freezing lakes — that will hold fishable ice through the warmup.

DELAVAN/GENEVA LAKES, WIS.: On Geneva, Brian Gates at Geneva Lake Bait & Tackle reported boaters went vertical-jigging for lakers out of Fontana on Tuesday, while others were ice-fishing on the east end of Geneva Bay. Gates said there is a 50-50 chance of having his small shanties on Delavan for the weekend; the problem will be shorelines giving way. There was 9 to 12 inches of ice on the west end of Delavan as of Tuesday, and Monday was the best day of ice fishing for bluegills and crappie. Bluegills are good on Pleasant, which might have the best ice. Como ice might go the quickest.

FOX RIVER: NIELSEN’S CHANNEL: On Sunday, Arden Katz said the front channel had 51/2 inches of ice (Hermann’s reported 5 on Tuesday), with 80 percent of the bluegills suspended halfway up or higher. Conditions will be changing.

LAKEFRONT: CHICAGO: Spring signs: Powerliners are trying for trout and coho at Montrose. Henry’s reported perch picking up again at Navy Pier. Reports from the river at 92nd and 95th are variable. WAUKEGAN/NORTH POINT: On Tuesday, Lori Ralph at Salmon Stop reported some were ice-fishing at North Point. Meanwhile, some were going to launch from Waukegan for steelhead.

MADISON LAKES, WIS.: D&S Bait
reported ice was holding as of Tuesday, but there will be trouble spots by the weekend. Most interest is in perch on Mendota, Monona and Waubesa. Bluegills take sorting.

MAZONIA: All units are open for fishing as of today. Anyone ice-fishing for the rest of the winter will be at his/her own risk.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN: Vehicle travel (including ATVs) has become problematic because of the weather change and the slushy conditions. EAGLE RIVER: Chamber of Commerce reported an excellent panfish bite deeper (15 to 30 feet) and good pike. MINOCQUA: Guide Kurt Justice of Kurt’s Island Sport Shop said the lack of vehicle travel has made for less access. Reports have been fair to good for pike (weed edges in 7 to 12 feet) and bluegills and poor to fair for other species.

NORTHWEST INDIANA: Capt. Ralph Steiger caught a few browns in the shipping channel Tuesday. Mik-Lurch said two guys fishing for steelhead in Michigan City caught some coho.

SHABBONA LAKE: Lakeside reported guys were ice-fishing Tuesday in the road bed and deep trees, but that’s not going to last. Rockfest, which was scheduled for Saturday, has been canceled.