Waiting on ice and dealing with variable perch in Chicago for the Midwest Fishing Report

A good cold-water smallmouth from the Kanakee River. | Provided

Dealing with variable perch around Chicago and waiting on ice lead this sprawling raw-fie Midwest Fishing Report.

Just to be clear, even with all the snow, ice fishing is holding with caution up North.

But there are other things, such as smallmouth bass big enough to be worth the effort, as George Peters of Plainfield showed on the Kankakee River. He sent the photo at the top and this note:

It’s been cold 40 degree water but I fished a buck tail jig very slow in quiet deep water and got this four pound smallmouth last Friday in the Kankakee river sincerely George peters Plainfield

LAKEFRONT PERCH

Perch reports vary wildly, especially for shore anglers, with the South Side slips producing best (Navy Pier has been slow and variable, Montrose is dead); boaters in and around the Calumet system are having more consistent catches, as Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted:

Perch perch perch is all I here been good most days xl fatheads best bait

Capt. Pat Harrison emailed this:

Good Morning, a friend fished 95th st. By boat Saturday and said between two guys they managed 16 nice size Perch that’s the only report I’ve heard about Perch. Guys going out of Northpoint are finding Lakers in 50 to 70 f.o.w as of Saturday. With the Holiday past I hope to get out this week I’ll keep you updated.

Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:

No perch reports from up my way but I hear 87th is still pretty good .

LAKEFRONT PARKING

Readers suggest SpotHero app downtown. Montrose (free parking); Navy Pier (check in parking office in east lot, be out by 10 a.m. for $8 angler parking); DuSable Harbor (fisherman’s lot); Northerly Island/Burnham Harbor (meters or fisherman’s lot); Steelworkers Park (free street parking at east end of 87th).

CHICAGO LAKEFRONT PASSES

Pier passes ($6) for select piers in Chicago harbors and $10 parking passes (DuSable, Burnham fisherman’s lots) are available at Henry’s Sports and Bait, Park Bait (until close) or Northerly Island (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday).

AREA LAKES

an

Carp on a jerkbait.

Few trying, but some hardcores as still picking up nice largemouth and some are doing crappie; weather changes have not been helping

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

Hey Dale,

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

Area lakes-fishing has been slow as weather has not been very cooperative lately. Best bet is still going with live bait for bass and crappie during afternoon hours.

Carp on a jerkbait. Go figure.

TTYL

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA

Staff at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said water is very low, so be cautious it trying to navigate; otherwise, it is mainly waiting on ice to return.

COOLING LAKES/STRIP PITS

Braidwood, Heidecke, LaSalle and Mazonia (except Monster at Mazonia, which is open year-round) are closed for the season.

DOWNSTATE

POWERTON: Reopens to bank fishing on Dec. 23. Boat fishing reopens Feb. 15. SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing. EMIQUON: Go to http://experienceemiquon.com/content/nature-conservancy-emiquon-preserve-lake-access. HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed for the season.

GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN

Guide Mike Norris with a late season smallmouth bass from Big Green Lake.

Guide Mike Norris emailed the photo above and this:

Fishing Report – 12/02/2019

Mike Norris

Big Green Lake – I experienced a little bit of everything when it came to weather in south-central Wisconsin last week. The week started out with daytime temps warming to the mid-40’s and any ice left on area lakes melted away. I had success chasing smallmouth bass by boat early last week, but by mid-week boat fishing wasn’t an option due to rain and strong winds. Add in the opening of gun season for deer plus the Thanksgiving holiday and there were very few anglers out during the middle part of the week. Water temperature on Big Green Lake is down to 41 degrees on this 7,230-acre lake and because this lake takes so long to freeze, Big Green remains the best bet for open water fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. This past weekend anglers took advantage of shoreline angling opportunities for walleyes on both Big Green and Beaver Dam Lakes. The best technique for Big Green involved casting shallow running minnow baits after dark from public shoreline areas near Hattie Shorewood Park. A minnow on a plain hook and a split shot two feet below a float worked best for walleyes below the dam at Beaver Dam Lake. I’m still monitoring the weather forecasts and looking for days where I can fish for smallmouth bass by boat with live bait on Big Green Lake. I might get that opportunity mid-week with daytime temps predicted in the low 40’s and nighttime temps no lower than the mid 20’s.

Contact Mike Norris, Wacky Worm Guide Service, at 630-842-8199 for Big Green Lake and other south-central Wisconsin guided fishing trips.

GREEN/STURGEON BAYS, WISCONSIN

Check the Wisconsin DNR weekly report at https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/OutdoorReport.html

LAKE ERIE

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

LAKEFRONT

Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:

No perch reports from up my way but I hear 87th is still pretty good . Still some steelhead being caught over at Diversey.

I will definitely be open through this weekend and if the weather allows I will go through the weekend of the 14th/15th.

Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop in Waukegan texted:

A few browns off the end of pier and south rocks, reports very slow due to holidays. Aug and I are going to try again off the pier, I’ll let you know

Capt. Pat Harrison emailed this:

Good Morning, a friend fished 95th st. By boat Saturday and said between two guys they managed 16 nice size Perch that’s the only report I’ve heard about Perch. Guys going out of Northpoint are finding Lakers in 50 to 70 f.o.w as of Saturday. With the Holiday past I hope to get out this week I’ll keep you updated.

SALMON SNAGGING: Here are the details from the IDNR:

4) Snagging for chinook and coho salmon only is permitted from the following Lake Michigan shoreline areas from October 1 through December 31; however, no snagging is allowed at any time within 200 feet of a moored watercraft or as posted: A) Lincoln Park Lagoon from the Fullerton Avenue Bridge to the southern end of the Lagoon. B) Waukegan Harbor (in North Harbor basin only). C) Winnetka Power Plant discharge area. D) Jackson Harbor (Inner and Outer Harbors).

d) Disposition of Snagged Salmon and Paddlefish. All snagged salmon and paddlefish must be removed from the area from which they are taken and disposed of properly, in accordance with Article 5, Section 5-5 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code.

MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN

Check the D&S Bait update at https://www.facebook.com/dsbaitandtackle/.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

Kurt Justice at Kurt’s Island Sport Shop emailed:

Two, count’em, TWO snow storms in the last week of November (second started in November, ended in December) put a lot of heavy, wet snow on what ice had formed on the smaller lakes and bays so far! Ice is still there and fishable, but under inches of slush and snow making walking difficult.

Bluegills: Very Good – Anglers venturing out between, and after, storms doing very well in 5-7’ depths on Gills using light, lead jigs (slower drop) tipped with waxies or Beaver Tail.

Perch: Good – Shallow Perch fishing producing nice “eaters” in 4-8’ on medium fatheads.

Walleye: Good – Fewer reports than last week, yet anglers venturing out finding good fishing in 5-8’ of water just before dark on tip-ups baited with shiners, suckers or chubs.

Northern Pike: Good – Few anglers, but a couple decent reports of Pike in shallow weeds on river shiners or large shiners below tip-ups.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Few reports, but some catches on small minnows on rocker jigs.

Pre-storm, where there was ice, we were hearing reports of 5-7 inches of ice. The weight of the recent snow is bad news for the earliest ice that has formed. Slush makes travel difficult. More than ever, with snow cover present, use caution – spud your way out and take along safety spikes, rope and wear your floating ice suit (or get one!)

If there is good news its that following the high, cold winds of the storms, Monday’s calm (12/2) allowed the open water to skim over. These areas of “New ice” should build some great thickness in the following week, without the hindrance of snow cover, to open new areas of fishing.

Don’t forget this weekend’s ICE EXTRAVAGANZA at Kurt’s. Three days of PRO-STAFFERS, Company Reps, Deals, Giveaways. Lots to check out!

Kurt Justice

Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
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NORTHWEST INDIANA

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

Perch perch perch is all I here been good most days xl fatheads best bait

More and more steelhead coming in to the area creeks voodoo jigs tipped with butterworms seem to be most popular

Last batch of musky suckers for the year are here 10 to 12 inch

ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN

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

SHABBONA LAKE

Lakeside is closed until ice fishing. Park hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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