1/11: Midwest Fishing Report

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Updated: February 12, 2012 8:17AM

GOOD TIMING: Tony Boshold holds an ice-fishing seminar from 6 to 8 tonight at Anglers International Resources in Palatine.

AREA LAKES: At least some areas will have safe ice for the weekend. Regulations on public-area waters are posted at STRAY CASTS (blogs.suntimes.com/bowman/).

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA: If the weather forecast holds, this should be the first full weekend of good ice fishing.

COOLING LAKES/STRIP PITS: MAZONIA: North Unit reopens to fishing this morning. It will be open-water fishing. Any ice fishing later in the winter is at your own risk.

DELAVAN/GENEVA LAKES, WIS.: Brian Gates at Geneva Lake Bait & Tackle said that as of Tuesday, the east end of Como had good ice, there were good bluegill reports from Pleasant, and a few are trying the west end of Delavan.

DOWNSTATE: EMIQUON: The 2012 permits are available at Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown.
POWERTON: Shore fishing is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LAKEFRONT: CHICAGO: Arden Katz reports lots of small perch at Diversey, but keepers can be sorted out. As the water clears, a few more perch are being taken at DuSable, Navy Pier and Montrose, too. There are a few trout (browns and rainbows) around, too; Diversey is the most consistent. A couple of boats were trolling out of Diversey on Tuesday. Mik-Lurch reported perch continuing in the river at 92nd. WAUKEGAN: Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop reports boaters are trolling in 4-15 feet for steelhead. Those fishing from shore with spawn or frozen shiners under floats are also picking up steelhead.

MADISON LAKES, WIS.: D&S Bait reported some ice fishing on Monona Bay, parts of Squaw Bay, parts of Waubesa and Cherokee Marsh. By the weekend, there should be more widespread safe ice.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN: EAGLE RIVER: Chamber of Commerce reported ice ranging from 8 to 10 inches with very good pike in 8-10 feet on the outside of weed edges. Vehicle travel is not recommended yet. MINOCQUA: Guide Kurt Justice of Kurt’s Island Sport Shop said ice is averaging 10-11 inches; he is not recommending driving cars or trucks. Pike remain very good with above-average fish being caught to 38 inches; best on big shiners or suckers, or vertical fishing Chubby Darters. Walleye have been good on the big lakes after dark (9-11 p.m.), some big fish up to 9 1/2 pounds; best on No. 7 or 9 jigging Rapalas with a crushed minnow. Bluegill are good; bite is better late morning, best in 8 feet with red spikes or wax worms.

NORTHWEST INDIANA: Mik-Lurch reported perch and a few whitefish at the Hole-in-the-Wall, a few steelhead in the creeks, some browns at the mouth of the Ditch and some crappie at Wolf Lake.

ST. JOSEPH AREA, MICH.: Tyler Harmon messaged that steelhead have been great, spawn or plugs; some scattered walleye.

SHABBONA LAKE: There’s a chance of some safe ice by the weekend. Lakeside anticipates being open for the following weekend, when the 1st Night Ice Fishing Event Sponsored by Cabela’s is scheduled for Jan. 21.

Dale Bowman