Chicago fishing: Wisconsin opener notes, crappie inland and access updates

Jacob Wilder holds a big bass caught early on opening day at Shabbona Lake State Park. | Provided

Notes on access around Chicago fishing, crappie inland and Wisconsin opener updates lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report, as fishing rebounds from high water and now a stretch of colder water and weather.

Full moon is Thursday, May 7. Considering the weather, I will be curious what impact it has on the spawn.

Musky Ed Potocki sent the photo at the top and this:

Hey Dale, hope all is well, my nephew Jacob Wilder of La Grange Park took advantage of the opening weekend at Shabbona and Caught and released this nice bass on a minnow.I have to credit his mother [Donna] for getting up at four in the morning and taking him ,fish was caught at 6:30 AM. Stay safe!

Here’s to Donna. That’s getting it done.

ILLINOIS REMINDER

Just in case access opens up, perch fishing is closed on Lake Michigan through June 15.

AREA LAKES

In general, forest preserve district and park district waters remain open, But, especially FP of Cook County and FPD of DuPage County, there are some specialized closures, generally for crowding or overuse on weekends.

As of Tuesday, the trout waters at the FPD of DuPage County and the FP of Cook County remain closed.

This word came from the McHenry County Conservation District:

Yes, Lake Atwood, Beck’s Woods and Piscasaw quietly reopened.

We will continue to monitor for social distancing; and ideally will be able to keep them open as people visit at different days and times.

Thank you!

BoRabb Williams getting it done with crappie in style.

BoRabb Williams messaged the photo above and this:

Dale Bowman ..... we’re KILLING em at All the local SPOTS .... but this Cold Front my shut it DOWN for a minute.... water was 61 degrees...... they’re READY TO SPAWN

I’m guessing the spawn might be extended or delayed by the stretch of cold weather.

Bob France messaged the photo below, which I loved with the fly rod, and this:

A few nights ago I got around 10 crappie in about 15 casts!

Bob France with the crappie on the fly.

Ken “Husker” O’Malley emailed the photo above and this report:

Hey Dale,

Here is a recap of this past week’s fishing.

Area lakes- the warm up over the weekend had bass moving up shallow. Mostly smaller ones. Females were still out deeper along the first break. Lipless crankbaits and chatterbaits were the best baits during midday hours. With the unseasonably cooler temps ahead, it will be interesting to see how staging bass respond.

TTYL

—

Ken “Husker” O’Malley

Husker Outdoors
Waterwerks fishing team

Ken “Husker” O’Malley showing the times and a largemouth bass.

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA/FOX RIVER

As of noon Tuesday, the upper and lower Fox River (to Bridge Street Bridge in Millinton) remained closed, while the Chain was no-wake. Check updates at foxwaterway.com or (847) 587-8540.

For anglers, no-wake is one of the great times to fish the Chain.

Chain O’Lakes SP is open.

CHICAGO RIVER

Riverwalk remains closed.

Jeff Nolan emailed:

Amazing to see so few boats on the river mainly personal kayaks also Pleasant to see so many people with their children fishing it was so rare before this pandemic as far as fishing a few trout at Trump Tower outflow 1 Northern at the locks in a few scattered Bass all in all a slow start for spring

COOLING LAKES/STRIP PITS

As of Tuesday midday, Braidwood, LaSalle and Mazonia remain closed.

Heidecke was a surprise reopen.

Kevin Butts sent this observation while muskie fishing Sunday at Heidecke:

Hey Dale- sorry! Yes I went. It is open. Boat ramp and bank fishing. I did not catch anything! Was trying for muskies. I saw some walleye and crappie anglers using livebait having success.

DELAVAN LAKE, WISCONSIN

Dave Duwe emailed:

Delavan Lake 5/4/2020 through 5/11/20

Opening Day has arrived. With the number of boats at the boat launch, all the other lakes in Walworth county have seen very high boat traffic. Boat trailers were being parked all the way to South Shore drive. The best action continues to be the panfish. The bluegills are biting in the shallow water about 3-4 feet. The best locations are the boat launch channel, the outlet near the dam, and near Lake Lawn Lodge. The best approach is a single hook with a bobber, fishing red worms or leaf worms. The bluegills are a few weeks away from spawning due to the cool spring.

Crappie fishing has been sporadic, some days they are biting well and the next day you’ll get skunked. The best success has been in front of Lake Lawn, Township Park and the no-wake buoy line in Viewcrest Bay. The fish are suspended in 8-10 ft. of water. Two presentations have been producing the most fish. The first is a small 1/32 oz. Jig fished with a small Twister tail, white and yellow seem to be the best colors. The second is slip bobber fishing for them with small minnows.

Walleye fishing has been good at night. Some nice fish were being caught on slip bobbers in 8-9 ft. of water. The best bait for this week are large fat head minnows. Casting crankbaits has also been producing a lot of fish.Check locations such as Willow Point, the Yacht Club point and Browns Channel.

Largemouth Bass can be readily found in a pre-spawn pattern. The best depth is 3-4 ft. There was a lot of fish activity in the outlet and in Lake Lawn Harbor. The fish could be seen cruising all over, however, they didn’t bite that well. Like the bluegills, the bass should be spawning in the next few weeks, so the sight fishermen should start having great success.

Good Luck and I hope to see you on the water, for guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063.

DES PLAINES RIVER

Des Plaines SFWA remains closed, but other access areas have eased, especially at FPD of Will County sites.

DOWNSTATE

Many Downstate sites, more than originally posted, reopened across the state. Click here to check list.

EMIQUON: Basically, go to launch. For general information, go to http://experienceemiquon.com/sites/default/files/LakeAccessRules.pdf.

POWERTON: Remains closed. HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed, but may reopen later in the season. Click here for an update. SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing.

FOX RIVER

River closed by flooding downstream to Bridge Street Bridge in Millington.

GENEVA LAKE, WISCONSIN

Dave Duwe emailed:

Lake Geneva 5/4/2020 thru 5/11/2020

Opening Day was Saturday May 2^rd. Fishermen found an awesome day, sunny skies and light winds. The water temp is approximately 5 degrees colder than last year. Fishing should be improving as the water warms and the bass become closer to spawning.

The best action was smallmouth bass. The fish this time of year are suspending on the outside of drop offs, close to their spawning flats. The bass are chasing the pods of shiners. Most of the fish are being taken on small minnows fished on either a small split shot rig or a slip bobber with a single hook. Another good method is swimming a small grub at varying depths in the water columns. I prefer smoke colored or a light green. The best locations were by Elgin Club or by the South Shore Club.

Largemouth bass can be caught in Trinkes both in the harbor and outside the weed flat. Most of the fish were caught on night crawlers with a single hook with a split shot. This fishing was pretty slow. Another good location for Opening Day and the first few weeks of May is the Abbey Harbor, fish around the boat docks in 3-4 ft of water.

Northern Pike are cruising the weed flats in 6-8 ft of water. The best locations are in Fontana Beach or in Williams Bay. Fish the northerns with golden shiners and slip bobbers for best results. No size Limit this year.

Perch are being caught in 6-8 ft. of water around the shallow weeds. Due to the cool water temps the fish are still shallow, normally by this time of year they are starting to move deeper. The best location is by Knollwood or Rainbow Point. The fish are being taken on small minnows or leaf worms fished beneath a bobber.

Fishing is still slow; the report will cover other species once they become active. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063

GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN

Bladed jigs account for big bass in early spring.

Mike Norris with a nice northern pike which fell victim to a bladed jig.

Guide Mike Norris emailed the photos above on bladed jigs, as well as this note:

Fishing Report – 05/05/2020

Mike Norris

The weather remains below average in south central Wisconsin and its effect on fishing is telling. At 7,300 acres and 236 ft deep, Big Green Lake’s water temperature is hovering in the upper 40’s and bass activity is slow. There are days though when the warmer back channels can produce big bluegill and pre-spawn largemouth bass. Having said that, I’ve been focusing my fishing time working shallower lake’s which have warmed to the mid-50’s since they are smaller in size.

The flash and vibration from bladed jigs have been the ticket for catching pre-spawn largemouth bass. In the last week or so bladed jigs have produced largemouth bass up to five and one-half pounds for my friends and me. And northern pike can resist this lure. It is a reaction bite and the hits are savage. Bladed jigs work best using a baitcasting rod with a high-speed reel.

The crankbait trolling bite is just heating up on Lake Puckaway. No. 4 Salmo crankbaits trolled at 1.8 to 2.2 mph behind Off Shore side planer boards are accounting for most walleyes caught.

Contact Mike Norris through his website at www.comecatchsmallmouth.com or phone him at 630-842-8199 for Big Green Lake and other south-central Wisconsin guided fishing trips.

ILLINOIS RIVER

River dropped below flood stage at Ottawa, but is projected to remain in flood into the weekend at Starved Rock and LaSalle.

Some launches are open, Starved Rock SP remains closed.

KANKAKEE RIVER

Kankakee River SP is open, while Des Plaines SFWA remains closed. High water has made for difficult fishing

LAKE ERIE

As of Tuesday midday, there’s no change in the suspension of sale of out-of-state licenses in Ohio.

LAKEFRONT

Chicago harbors, the Riverwalk and lakefront remain closed. North Point Marina is officially closed, but boat owners may get in. Waukegan harbor area is open for fishing and launching.

Capt. Scott Wolfe emailed about Waukegan:

Hi Dale

Fishing in the Waukegan area was good most of last week. Until the big wind Wednesday to Friday, coho fishing was hot right at Waukegan harbor. The wind and waves dirtied up the water. After a big blow the shallow water fish need about 2 days to turn back on. Saturday and Sunday morning were slow with improved fishing Sunday mid-day to aftternoon. Over the weekend some boats did well out over 90 feet of water taking mixed species. Out there coho and steelhead came on dodger fly rigs on the surface with kings, lakers and some coho on downriggers and divers. When targeting mixed species standard size spoons are good choices because they can get all of the target species.

This week looks like quite a bit of Easterly wind, generally not good for shallow water fishing. I would recommend boats go deeper and run mixed species rigs. For trollers who want to try the dirty water, running big meat rigs and large flasher/fly combos to target kings and big browns may pay off. The larger rigs can attract fish into the spread and it gives the anglers a chance of trophy fish.

Pier fishermen fishing the dirty water should consider using bait. The smell can bring in fish whereas the fish can’t see casted spoons well in the dirty water. For shore fishermen who just want to cast, try lures with rattles to add sound vibrations to help the fish find the lure.

Have a great week Dale.

Capt. Scott Wolfe

School Of Fish Charters
www.schooloffishcharters.com
630-341-0550

MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN

Click here for the update from D&S Bait.

MENOMINEE RIVER AREA, WISCONSIN

Mike Mladenik with an opening weekend walleye.

Guide Mike Mladenik of bigsmallmouthbass.com emailed the photo above and this:

Great smallmouth and walleye

action on High Falls Flowage!

Water temp 50 degrees and a hot walleye bite. Smallmouth are starting to stage and the action for both species should be fantastic in May!

Jig & minnow for walleye and Plastics for smallmouth.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

Kurt Justice at Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua emailed:

The 2020 Opener is in the books and while not a great opener, it could be deemed pretty darn good, all things considered. While the Covid issue kept some people away, and the closing of the Lac Du Flambeau Reservation landings sent anglers to other bodies of water, we didn’t have to face ice for the first time in three openers and the weather wasn’t too cold, though somewhat windy.

Walleye: Good-Very Good – Depending on lake type and time of day. Walleyes on small to mid-sized lakes (1,000 acres or less) and flowages were either completely done with the spawn or just finishing up. Jig and minnow combos ruled the daytime bites; while casting shallow running stick baits (Rattlin Rouges, Floating Rapalas and Jr. Thundersticks) was the best for nighttime anglers wading the shores. On the larger lakes, spawning just kicking in over the weekend, but will probably run its course quickly. Cast 4-6” chubs along gravel reefs of 6-12’; early mornings, evening and after dark best. Forecast for cold nights (upper 20’s) and highs of 40-50 degrees will stretch the post spawn bite out for a while. Great time to work emerging weeds with weedless jigs and large fats best.

Crappie: Good – The cold nights have kept the Crappies at bay (literally) until afternoons when they move into warming shallows to help with egg production. AM anglers finding Crappies in 8-12’ soaking small minnows or Mini-mites under slip-floats. In the afternoons, tail hook small minnows under float with not split shot to allow minnow to slowly struggle against hook in and around shallow wood. Some real trophy Crappies of 15-15¾“ were caught AND released using this method.

Northern Pike: Good – Not many anglers targeting, but Pike working weedy flats feeding on Perch recovering from spawn. Black chub on a weedless jig tied to a light wire leader best in morning. As surface temps increase in afternoon, cover more water with shallow stick bait or 4” swim bait.

Largemouth Bass: Good – anglers have been working shallow bays with dark bottoms that hold the heat from the afternoon sun. Jig and subtle trailer best, though 3-4” stick baits (X-Raps, Husky Jerks and Thunder sticks) producing also. 3” swim baits and smaller plastics (Wacky worms, Ned rigs) also producing.

Yellow Perch: Good – Not much being targeted, but nice Perch working shallow weed flats looking to fill their bellies after the spawn. Medium fats or medium leeches on a 1/32 – 1/16 oz jig has been working well.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Catch and Release only until June 20^th, but nice Smallies hitting X-Raps over 10-14’ off breaks leading to what, in a couple weeks, will be spawning areas of gravel and rock in 2-4’.

Bluegill: Fair? – Not many reports as anglers have set their sights on larger game. Some reports of Gills warming themselves in shallow on sunny afternoons.

With the Covid could still looming over us, it was good to see people getting outside and enjoying fishing and the outdoors in general. Please use precautions and good judgement to remain safe and healthy.

Thank you,

Kurt Justice

Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
Like us on FaceBook

He added this:

One more thing, I forgot to mention water temps...

Water temps running upper 30’s-low 40’s (TROUT) to low-mid 50’s most other bodies.

NORTHWEST INDIANA

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

Willow slough giving up lots of fish lots of people fishing there too

Water was very dirty on Lake Michigan all the way out to 80 ft very few fish caught near shore over weekend just to dirty some lake trout in 90 to 100 fishing near bottom water still 41 degrees out there

Water cold it will be good again near shore

Lots of people fishing Slezs bait has been here 33 yrs have seen slot of different times this is something different bizy from open till close people everywhere fishing it’s wild I’ll tell ya

That last line says a lot about the times.

ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN

Click here for the Wisconsin DNR’s report, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday.

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said that fishing was OK, most are heading south toward the Cook plant. The shop is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SHABBONA LAKE

Lake is open, but Lakeside remains closed.

SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN LAKEFRONT

Click here for the southern Lake Michigan reports from the Wisconsin DNR.

WISCONSIN RIVER

Wisconsin River white bass.

Erik Brztowski messaged the photo above and this from the Dells area:

Wisconsin river has been good, white bass are starting which is good news. Lots of guys limiting out in short time. Channel cats have been on the feed and flathead will be close behind. Smallmouth have been good if you can locate them, rock or sand bottom is key. Walleye wise bites been a little slower since most fish moved downriver. But fish are being caught on faster moving baits which always makes it fun.

Rob Abouchar emailed the photo below and this:

Hi Dale

The drive up to Wisconsin on Friday was a bit anxious not knowing what I would find. Upon arriving I spoke with my neighbor Mark and he reported that there were no cases of Covid 19 in the county. With that I was more relaxed and focused on the task at hand. The ice went out on the Alexander Flowage 3 weeks ago and the water was in the 40’s on Friday and shot into the 50’s Sauturday with the warm temps. Joe The Grasseater Schatz and I practiced social distancing in the boat and hit the launch Friday for the late afternoon evening bite. Only one trailer was in the lot. Standing at the launch on Friday and Saturday morning I took time to reflect on things and how special it is to be able to come to a place like this with the current situation. Joe started things off with a first for my guide service...two 5 pound smallmouth boated by a client on an outing. I also had some big pre-spawn smallies. The fish hit a #5 Mepps in-lie spinner and a Jackhammer Bladed jig with a Kalins grub trailer. Black and orange, and bluegill were the best colors. on Saturday we were the first boat in the lot for the opener. I got into more big Smallmouth on the same Jackhammer bladed jig. Joe was into the pike with pure poison bladed jigs as well as some nice bass. We witnessed a spectacular avian display that seemed to turn deadly. I saw an Osprey plunging straight down with cocked wings. It dove right onto a goose that was swimming in very shallow water with its mate. The goose mate lunged at the splash of the osprey and goose but to no avail. Only the one goose mate survived. Joe thought he saw the osprey float away with the current. We did not go back to investigate. Also saw a woodpecker banging on road signs on an island put up by the residents. The waterfowl and bird of prey activity was incredible! A trip like this has me eager to return!

Tight lines and Good Health

Big Wisconsin River smallmouth bass.

WOLF LAKE

William W. Powers SRA remains closed, but the Indiana side is open, including the Hammond launch.

BoRabb Williams messaged the photo below and this:

Dale Bowman.... Wolf Lake Indiana side..... nuff said ya Diggg.

Wolf Lake crappie.

WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN

Guide Bill Stoeger in Fremont texted:

Walleye action has been very good. Dragging 1/16 and 1/8 oz jigs tipped with half crawler working best. White bass may start to move into the shallows soon, had 59.5 water temp yesterday. We have some cool weather moving in, may slow spawning.

Gary Bloom messaged from Winneconne:

Fish biting good in Winneconne Wisconsin. Put boat in yester about 4:00 pm. Fish above bridge for 2 hrs . Kept 20 big Wh Bass. Went below and kept 6 walleye biggest 15 inches. Lots of snow belly wh Bass.water just getting to 54 deg. Remember only 3 walleye now.