05/16: Midwest Fishing Report
BY DALE BOWMAN outdoordb@sbcglobal.net May 15, 2012 8:34PM
Updated: June 17, 2012 8:20AM
WOLF RIVER WHITE BASS: In Fremont, Wis., guide Bill Stoeger said this should be the peak week for white bass; numbers pick up daily. Best presentation has been jigs and minnows, but spinners and even flies are working. Good-sized fish running 12 to 14 inches for females and 10 to 12 inches for males.
SHABBONA LAKE CRAPPIE OPEN: Timing looks good for Lakeside’s Crappie Open on Saturday. Lakeside reported crappie coming off the spawn. Families may combine their 10 heaviest crappie. Top prize is a $100 Cabela’s gift card. Check shabbonalake.com or call (815) 824-2581.
CHAIN O’LAKES AREA: Triangle reported
bluegills moving up into the shallows (should be the best weekend bite); Bluff is best. Walleye are also good; try large fatheads or leeches around current areas and bridges or trolling crankbaits; Marie is best lake. White bass are good; try in 8 to 12 feet on Marie. Catfish are good on crawlers, stinkbait or roaches.
COOLING LAKES/STRIP PITS: MAZONIA/BRAIDWOOD: This should be the week for panfish at Mazonia. Exelon’s Fishing for a Cure tournament is Saturday from the south ramp.
DELAVAN/GENEVA LAKES, WIS.: DELAVAN: Arden Katz reported crappie starting in 8 to 11 feet. They are taking white twistertails jigged over weeds. Lots of pike and a few largemouth mixed in. Guide Dave Duwe said bluegills are in the channels in 2 to 3 feet. GENEVA: Duwe said rock bass are everywhere in 6 to 7 feet. Largemouth are in 3 to 4 feet in shallow harbors.
DES PLAINES RIVER: Marcus Benesch reported pike hitting by Dam No. 2
behind current breaks. Pike and carp have been good in downtown Des Plaines.
FOX RIVER: WESTERN SUBURBS: Sam Bennett reported some good outings in the South Elgin-to-Geneva stretch, including a post-spawn 20-inch smallmouth. He was fishing boulders close to shore and slow spots next to rock walls in the high water. With water
receding, he expects fish to spread out. He said flatheading is slow.
reported an outstanding day with topwaters, including a 21-inch smallmouth.
LAKEFRONT: CHICAGO: Perch are in and out. Smallmouth are in the harbors. Capt. Bob Poteshman of Confusion Charters reported coho with some kings, steelhead and lakers mixed in by the Wreck. Capt. Bill Kelly of Leprechaun Charters reported ‘‘an abundance’’ of coho and nice kings (10 to 15 pounds) east of Diversey, Montrose and Evanston and a mile south of the R4 in 70 to 110 feet on white hotspot or
yellow Dodgers and aqua flies. Lakers are shallower but deeper. WAUKEGAN: Capt. Bob Jenkins of Challenger Charters reported coho with kings mixed in (8 to 16 pounds) in 55 to 100 feet. Perch are in 50 to 65 feet south of the harbor. NORTH POINT: Poteshman said fishing remains fantastic, with nice kings and coho in 40 to 100 feet; use big flies and big Dodgers deep for kings and smaller flies and small Dodgers higher for coho. DALEY DERBY: Kings, coho and perch are the species in May. Check fish at Henry’s or Park Bait.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN: EAGLE RIVER:
Chamber of Commerce reported very good panfish and good walleye and pike in 10 feet or less. MINOCQUA: Guide Kurt Justice of Kurt’s Island Sport Shop reported crappie (staging in 6- to 8-foot weeds) as the best bite. Walleye, pike and bluegills are very good.
NORTHWEST INDIANA: Panfish at Willow Slough for boaters (shore is slower) is a top bite. Mik-Lurch
reported ‘‘smallmouth all over’’ on Lake Michigan and salmon (lots of kings) in 55 to 80 feet north of the Ditch on Spin Doctors and flies or Magnum spoons such as Blue Dolphin or Lemon Ice. Perch are spotty. NOTE: Little Calumet River Fest at Carlson Oxbow Park in Hammond includes a free fishing derby from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
WOLF LAKE: Largemouth are good on both sides. Mik-Lurch reported nice walleye. Boaters are drifting slowly with floating jigheads and leeches or trolling small Rapalas. Shore fishermen are using slip-bobbers with leeches and light line to reach deeper holes.
