Chicago Sun-Times: All posts by Dale Bowman

Chicago outdoors: A chance to ponder a darter among other catches from the Fox River

2023-12-13T08:10:57.65-06:00

Of the many different species of fish caught by Vince Oppedisano this year from the Fox River one was more unusual than others. Biologists agreed that it appeared to be a logperch, one of the larger darters.

Provided

The unknown fish Vince Oppedisano caught in May from the Fox River stopped me.

Plenty of other things also impressed me when he sent a list of the fish he caught fishing the Fox River from April through November, primarily from Elgin to Montgomery. It was his most productive year by the numbers.

His meticulous records are a treasure.

But the unknown fish made me reach out to biologists.

As it turned out, Oppedisano’s guess that it was a darter was right, even though he had “never seen the species before.” He caught it in May when it hit a small crankbait in 65-degree water.

Illinois Natural History Survey’s Phil Willink emailed that he thought it was a logperch, one of the bigger darters, noting, “Logperch are cool.” INHS’s Jeremy Tiemann concurred.

Steve Pescitelli, streams biologist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, added a clip from a much-anticipated field guide to Illinois fishes, which he, Willink and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Frank Veraldi have coming out within a year or so: “Logperch. Percina caprodes. Percina, Latin, diminutive for ‘perch’; caprodes, Greek, for ‘pig-like,’ referring to snout.”

On habitat, the upcoming book includes, “In rivers, it has been observed in fast flowing rocky riffles, but is more common in moderately flowing sandy runs with woody debris, and sluggish areas with some aquatic vegetation.”

At some point, I hope to discuss what logperch may indicate locally.

Back to Oppedisano, who emailed, “Looking back on the past year, I’d say conditions on the Fox River in 2023 were more difficult than the year before. Water levels stayed pretty low where I was fishing for most of the season other than spring and a week or two in July after some heavy rains. Fall was a little bit disappointing overall. After the shallow sections started losing weed growth, levels dropped even lower while temps continued to drop and the water started running ultra clear.

“Still, it was the most productive year I’ve had (and probably ever will) in terms of numbers because I put in the time.”

He was primarily targeting smallmouth bass. It showed in his totals of legally hooked and landed fish: 972 smallmouth bass (92%), 17 walleye, 16 quillback carpsuckers, 13 largemouth bass, six channel catfish, five white bass, five bluegill, four freshwater drum, three muskie, three redhorse suckers, three flathead catfish, two northern hog suckers, two shad, a northern pike, a river shiner, a white sucker and the darter.

“Besides the ones that were landed, I lost a good number of fish and foul hooked a lot, too — especially channel cats,” he emailed. “Two of the many things I learned this year: (1) there are a LOT of crayfish in the river; and (2) it’s true — watch the birds, they’ll give you clues.”

Vince Oppedisano holds one of the biggest fish, a muskie, he caught this year while primarily targeting smallmouth bass from the Fox River.

Provided

Illinois hunting

Illinois hunters harvested 76,232 deer during the two parts of Illinois’ firearm season, down from 76,854 in 2022. The second part harvest was 22,884, down significantly from 24,500 the second part of 2022. . . . When harvest totals come for muzzleloader season, I will post at chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors. . . . Duck season in the north zone ends Tuesday.

Meeting change

Biologist Seth Love talking to the Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies, Inc., at 7 tonight has changed venues to Moretti’s in Bartlett because of a schedule conflict.

Wild things

Christmas Bird Counts begin tomorrow and run through Jan. 5. The most noted locally is the Chicago lakefront count on Christmas Day, but there are counts all around the area. A how-to-participate is at audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count.

Showtime

The master list of outdoors shows, swap meets, classes and major ice-fishing events is at chicago.suntimes.com/2023/11/22/23972227/outdoors-shows-master-list-2024-season-chicago. There’s been two updates.

Stray Cast

Major League Baseball becomes to baseball what tournament tuna fishing is to fishing.

Chicago fishing: Perch and what ice?

2023-12-12T10:58:15.895-06:00

Any hint of ice is the only thing missing from this holiday scene on Island Lake.

Rob Abouchar

Perch on southern Lake Michigan lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report; for ice fishing, you need to head north well into Wisconsin.

Even in far northern Illinois, ice is gone on Island Lake, as shown on the festve holiday scene captured by Rob Abouchar at the top.

LAKEFRONT PERCH

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

Still perch, perch, perch that’s about all u here.
Navy pier, and what everybody calls the 87th street slip for shore fishers has been fair to good most days using xl- fatheads, Rosie reds and lil pieces of shrimp.
Groups in boats fishing up in the river from 106th street and up and moving around a lot to get a decent batch of perch.

Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:

WE ARE STILL OPEN AND STOCKED WITH BAIT THROUGH SUNDAY DEC. 17th.
PERCH STILL LEAD THE REPORT. SOME STRONGER WINDS AND A FEW PASSING SHOWERS SLOWED THINGS DOWN AT NAVY PIER OVER THE WEEKEND. THE PERCH ARE NOT GONE JUST BEING A LITTLE HARDER TO FIND AND CATCH. SOME DAYS YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR THEM. SOUTH BY THE SLIP IS STILL OFF AND ON. TIMES OF THE DAY FLUCTUATING. SOME HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AT DIVERSEY HARBOR, HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER HARBOR REPORTS. BITE HAS ALSO BEEN VERY LIGHT I THINK MAYBE A CIRCLE HOOK COULD HELP? BITE HAS BEEN MOSTLY ON MINNOWS OF ANY SIZE BUT THEY ARE HITTING WORMS, SHRIMP, WAX WORMS & SPIKES. WE NOW HAVE RED SPIKES IN STOCK. DONT JUST STICK TO ONE THING IF WHAT YOUR USING ISN’T WORKING CHANGE IT UP!

AUGER SHARPENING

For the 24th year, Fran Connelly is sharpening of auger blades. Find “Ice Auger Sharpening” on Facebook or drop off blades at either Lee’s Bait & Tackle (Elk Grove Village or Carol Stream).

NAVY PIER ANGLING

North side of Navy Pier is open for anglers. Discounted parking for anglers is $9 daily, beginning at 5 a.m.; must be out by 10 a.m. for the discount. Click here to prepay for the discounted tickets.

UPDATE ON CHICAGO PASSES

The Northerly Island Visitor Center remains closed. So for now parking passes or pier passes may be bought Thursdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West in Lincoln Park (credit card only, street parking only) or at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor (cash only). The last day at Park Bait for the year now looks to be Sunday, Nov. 17. I would suggest emailing fishing@chicagoparkdistrict.com with questions.

Chicago Park District’s parking passes ($20 for two months) are for the anglers’ parking lots at DuSable and Burnham harbors.

The park district pier passes ($10 for the season) allow legal access to select piers at Jackson Park, Burnham, DuSable, Diversey, Belmont and Montrose harbors.

AREA LAKES

Dave Kranz of Dave’s Bait, Tackle and Taxidermy in Crystal Lake and with his You-Tube channel, Dave Kranz Living the wild outdoors, texted:

I have some customers that are traveling north to ice fish. I am sure ice is forming and moving south everyday. . . . Make sure to tell those getting gifts or gift certificates for you this holiday season, to shop at your local favorite tackle store.

Ken “Husker” O’Malley with a bluegill caught during this warm fall.

Provided

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

Hey Dale,
Here’s a recap from the past weeks fishing. Water temps continue to hover around the lower 40’s. The extended forecast for this week will keep them there with above above average temps expected. Bluegill have excellent during the major and minor bite windows. It has been non stop action during those periods. I’m finding active biters holding tight to isolated weed clumps or wood. Accurate casting is a must as they will not venture very far from cover to bite. A couple feet one way or the other will not entice a bite. The bait of choice continues to be a Wiggleyourworm_fishing custom 5mm ice jig in wonderbread tipped with a bees moth. A can’t beat this kind of action on the long rods in December.
. . .
TTYL
Ken Husker O’Malley
Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team

Rob Abouchar with a largemouth bass from the frigid water of Island Lake.

Provided

Rob Abouchar messaged the photo above and this:

Hi Dale happy holidays! The last of the ice fully melted last Friday on island lake so Saturday i got some minnows from Dave’s in crystal lake. After a full afternoon of fishing the bobber went down. I had to do a double take because I was shocked i actually got bit . Setting the hook i almost dropped the rod . A nice largemouth bass was netted by my neighbor jim . The fish hit a large golden roach minnow on a green google eye jig under a slip float and split shot in 4 feet of frigid water. All i could think was merry fishmas!
On the music front making first plans for recording more original material this time hopefully rock blues country and such. Lots of classic cuts from past to present to choose from. And the Bob Marley bash February 17th is on the calendar with hurricane reggae band. Hopefully i can join in on melodica.
Tight lines and good health!
Rob

And my Tuesday is made with Abouchar’s music update.

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA

Launches are useable. Ice is gone.

NOTE: Check updates on water conditions at foxwaterway.com or (847) 587-8540.

NOTE 2: Stratton Lock and Dam is closed through April 30, 2024.

COOLING LAKES

Braidwood, Heidecke and LaSalle are closed.

DOWNSTATE

POWERTON: Closed. Bank fishing reopens Christmas.

EMIQUON PRESERVE: Running through the end of duck season, fishing is only allowed after noon. Access permits and liability waivers are available Tuesday to Saturday at Dickson Mounts Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SPRING LAKE: Boat fishing is closed. Through the end of duck season, bank fishing is allowed after 1 p.m. Site superintendent Thad Cook noted, “Boaters cannot use the ramp on the causeway but can use the ramp at Sky Ranch Road during waterfowl season. They are allowed to boat north of Sky Ranch Rd bridge and south down to the buoy markers and sign at Maple Island.”

HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed.

SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing.

FOX RIVER

Dave Kranz of Dave’s Bait, Tackle and Taxidermy in Crystal Lake and with his You-Tube channel, Dave Kranz Living the wild outdoors, texted:

. . . Some are still open water fishing here at the Dams on the Fox River. Live bait is the best under these cold water conditions. Walleye at the McHenry Dam, smallmouth below Algonquin. Make sure to tell those getting gifts or gift certificates for you this holiday season, to shop at your local favorite tackle store.

GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN

Guide Mike Norris emailed:

Fishing Report – 12/11/2023
Mike Norris
Big Green Lake: We lost what little ice we had late last week when air temps rose into the mid-50s. While that was terrible news for hard-water anglers, soft-water anglers took advantage of the open water and warm weather. With clear water and a maximum depth of 236 feet, Big Green Lake doesn’t freeze until mid-January, and monstrous fish can roam the shallows this time of year. And despite the December cold, I still hunt for northern pike, smallmouth bass, and walleye this time of year. Live bait rigging is my preferred method for catching smallmouth. And for brave anglers targeting walleyes after sunset, casting and trolling crankbaits near gravel-strewn bottom structures can be rewarding.
Beaver Dam and Fox Lake: Both lakes had just enough ice to support anglers walking, and nice-sized crappies were the reward. But that all ended late in the week with the above-normal temperatures. Unfortunately, there are always a few who think the ice is still safe, and I know of two rescues that took place on Beaver Dam Lake last Wednesday and on Friday. Before venturing out, check on ice thickness with friends or local bait shops. And always go with a buddy who can help get you out if you fall through the ice when traversing early-season ice, or don’t go at all.

KANKAKEE RIVER

George Peters with a smallmouth bass from the Kankakee River.

Provided

George Peters emailed the photo above and this:

Last week 50 degrees, water went up to 47 in the pm. Deep water fish fed a bit on slow moving baits. Weekend cold front will slow things down again. G. Peters

LAKE ERIE

Click here for the Ohio DNR Report.

LAKEFRONT

Andrew Haywood caught his first perch Friday off Chicago.

Provided by Tony Hammond

Tony Hammond messaged the photos above and below, and this:

My buddy [Andrew Haywood] got his first perch and lake trout on friday! Lol

Andrew Haywood caught his first lake trout Friday off Chicago.

Provided by Tony Hammond

Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:

WE ARE STILL OPEN AND STOCKED WITH BAIT THROUGH SUNDAY DEC. 17th.
PERCH STILL LEAD THE REPORT. SOME STRONGER WINDS AND A FEW PASSING SHOWERS SLOWED THINGS DOWN AT NAVY PIER OVER THE WEEKEND. THE PERCH ARE NOT GONE JUST BEING A LITTLE HARDER TO FIND AND CATCH. SOME DAYS YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR THEM. SOUTH BY THE SLIP IS STILL OFF AND ON. TIMES OF THE DAY FLUCTUATING. SOME HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AT DIVERSEY HARBOR, HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER HARBOR REPORTS. BITE HAS ALSO BEEN VERY LIGHT I THINK MAYBE A CIRCLE HOOK COULD HELP? BITE HAS BEEN MOSTLY ON MINNOWS OF ANY SIZE BUT THEY ARE HITTING WORMS, SHRIMP, WAX WORMS & SPIKES. WE NOW HAVE RED SPIKES IN STOCK. DONT JUST STICK TO ONE THING IF WHAT YOUR USING ISN’T WORKING CHANGE IT UP!
QUITE A FEW LAKERS IN THE MIX SO BE READY FOR A NICE FIGHT. YOU CAN USE LARGE SHINERS OR JUST JIG A NICE BLADE BAIT, JIGGING SPOON OR CAST A LURE. WE HAVE A NICE SELECTION OF JIGGING SPOONS.STEELHEAD STILL HITTING AROUND THE HARBORS ON THE USUAL BAITS LARGE SHINERS, CRAWLERS, SHRIMP, HAIR JIGS WITH WAX WORMS, OR CASTING LURES.
PARKING AND PIER PASSES AVAILABLE HERE.
JUST GET OUT AND TRY, YOU CANT CATCH FROM THE COUCH!

Steelhead caught at Waukegan pier.

Provied by the Salmon Stop

Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop in Waukegan texted the photo above and this:

Powerlining Rainbow on government [on Monday], not me a friend
Good morning, The pic I sent you was from yesterday from a friend of mine who fishes the pier alot.

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).

MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN

Click here for the update from D&S Bait, Tackle & Fly Shop .

MAZONIA

Closed, except Monster Lake is open all year.

Hours are 6 a.m. to sunset.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

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

Things got a little wet and slippery for a while on the ice as the warm up late last week melted off the light snow from the early part of the week. That was OK, we didn’t lose ice just that annoying snow cover. Unfortunately, more snow came in with the drop in temps to cover things back up. Fishing was fair to good overall, not at all like the previous week, but rarely do we see action that good.
Walleye: Good-Fair – Jigging raps and spoons still taking fish, just not as aggressive of a bite as earlier. Tip-ups with medium golden shiners or river shiners still scoring in that 6-10’ of green weeds. Pre-dawn and dusk best.
Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Big shiners and suckers on tip-ups tops. Anglers using Jaw Jackers baited with the same having fun catching on rod and reel. No big Pike reports this week, but plenty of eaters.
Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Liking the warm up last week. Flags flying for anglers using medium shiners on tip-ups for Pike. Plenty others caught by Bluegill and Crappie anglers.
Bluegill: Good-Fair – Tentative at times, lots of talk of lookers but not biting. When this happens best to go small. Try a 2.5 mm tungsten tipped with a single red spike or smidge of plastic. An active presentation draws them in, but once they show up on your locator or camera its best to go small and slow.
Crappies: Fair – Once again, cautious bite. While Crappie minnows had been the preferred bait last week, a switch to a smaller, more subdued presentation was needed by the weekend. One exception was anglers fishing deeper water, 20-25’, there tip-downs with small minnows best.
Yellow Perch: Fair – Not being targeted, but incidental catches by Crappie and Gill anglers.
Looks as if this cool/warm pattern will persist through Christmas Day. Luckily the warm just takes the top layer (snow) down, then cold (teens 12/11) firms things back up. Unfortunately, the cold we need to really build a nice base (12-15) isn’t in the forecast for the next two weeks. Walking and checking are safest forms of travel for now, most reports of ice thickness range 3 ½-6, some North (South facing) shorelines thinner.

Upcoming Tournaments
Jan 6th – 73rd Annual Rib Lake Area Ice Fishing Contest – Rib Lake
Jan 6th – 16th Annual NCO Club & AMVETS Post 724 Ice Fishing Tournament – Lake Nokomis
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop – Like us on Facebook

NORTHWEST INDIANA

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

Still perch, perch, perch that’s about all u here.
Navy pier, and what everybody calls the 87th street slip for shore fishers has been fair to good most days using xl- fatheads, Rosie reds and lil pieces of shrimp.
Groups in boats fishing up in the river from 106th street and up and moving around a lot to get a decent batch of perch.
Crappie are being caught fishing the boat slips near 249 bridge down from portage marina using minnows. Must be in a boat to cover water moving dock to dock.

Christina Petrites at Stan’s Bait & Tackle Center in Hammond emailed:

Hi, Dale! I hope that you & your loved ones are gearing up for the holiday season. Here’s what’s been happening in the fishing world in our area during this very special time of year:
Perch fishing in the slips & on the Little Calumet River is still going strong. Fatheads & rosy reds are working great, with the latter taking a slide edge in catches; beemoths as a backup are holding their own also.
Pier fishing for Steehead is really starting to take off; those venturing out are catching good numbers of fish on skein & shrimp.
Whitefish are still around, just not in big numbers; anglers are using single eggs or jigging for them.
River fishing has remained steady, with anglers mostly using small Maglips & Hot-n-Tots.
Some anglers are still catching nice-sized Crappies on inland lakes with minnows.
Anglers have also made us aware that they are having some issues with the excessive drainage of the annual Fox Lake waterway system from the army core of engineers; it has negatively impacted fishing in that area this time of year. The inordinate amount of water evacuation in the area makes current conditions difficult for boat launching from any Fox Lake harbor & Chain-o-Lakes region. Most of the fish in that area have moved to deeper water.
Though the overall bite has slowed down some due to the current shallow conditions of the water, Walleye are primarily the fish that can still be found-as their preferred movement is over shallow rock; anglers are working lipless crank baits & blades, primarily on drops adjacent to shallow rock.
Also in the Chain-o-Lakes area, duck hunting continues through this week-SO WATCH OUT FOR HUNTERS! There’s little worse than catching a decoy line in your propeller…

ROCK RIVER, WISCONSIN

Walleye and sauger are being caught at the Jefferson Dam on the Rock River in Wisconsin.

Provided by Arden Katz

Arden Katz texted the photo above and said walleye and sauger are being caught at Jefferson Dam on Kalin’s swimbaits and 1/8-ounce jig (uses a fly on a three-way rig).

SHABBONA LAKE

Through January 31, winter site hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Boondocks is closed.

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said fishing is slow, but a few steelhead are being caught in the river.

Paddle and Pole hosts the Berrien Springs Fish Ladder Camera.

WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN

Guide Bill Stoeger in Fremont texted:

Ice conditions in the area are generally poor. A few fishermen venturing out on the smaller bayous, with perch and bluegill action has been good. The river did open up again, although when the ice left, so did the walleye. I fished 3 days last week, had 1-12 walleye.

Chicago outdoors: Illinois hunters harvested 76,232 deer during firearm season, down from 2022

2023-12-11T13:02:45.844-06:00

A sign for a deer-check station on opening day of the first part of firearm deer season on Nov. 17.

Dale Bowman

For the first modern season where certain rifles were allowed during Illinois’ firearm deer season, the impact appears negligible or minor on harvest totals. Illinois hunters harvested 76,232 deer (preliminary numbers) during the two parts of firearm season, down slightly from 76,854 deer in the 2022 firearm season.

The weather being almost too nice first season may have had a bigger impact than use of rifles.

Here is the word from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources:

SPRINGFIELD – Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 76,232 deer during the seven-day 2023 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 3. Comparatively, hunters harvested 76,854 deer during the 2022 firearm season.
The preliminary harvest for the second segment of the 2023 firearm season Nov. 30-Dec. 3 was 22,884, compared with 24,500 deer harvested during the second part of the 2022 season.
The preliminary harvest for the first segment of this year’s firearm season Nov. 17-19 was 53,348 deer.
Remaining 2023-2024 deer hunting opportunities in Illinois include:
Late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease (CWD) season, in designated counties only, Dec. 28-31 and Jan. 12-14. A map showing the counties open to late-winter and CWD seasons can be found online.
Archery deer season continues through Jan. 14.
Go online for more deer hunting information.

For the county-by-county breakdown, go to dnr.illinois.gov/press-release.29405.html.

Chicago outdoors: A personal-best for Buck of the Week

2023-12-11T10:51:03.805-06:00

Jimmy Jeffries shot his personal best buck In Pulaski County.

Provided

Tom Jeffries nominated his brother Jimmy for his personal-best buck.

Jimmy Jeffries shot the thick-racked nine-point buck Nov. 30, the first day of the second part of Illinois’ firearm deer season, in Pulaski County.

Here’s a full view of Jeffries’ PB buck:

Jimmy Jeffries shot his personal best buck In Pulaski County.

Provided

Buck of the Week, the celebration of big bucks and their stories or (the stories matter, as this one shows) around Chicago hunting, runs Wednesdays in the paper Sun-Times as warranted.

To make submissions, email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com) or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or Bluesky (@BowmanOutside).

Chicago outdoors: Art of the floats and homage to teachers of lakefront perch fishing

2023-12-09T06:10:00-06:00

Paul Pezalla’s handmade floats catching the last sun of the day.

Paul Pezalla

Notes come from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

WILD OF THE WEEK

Paul Pezalla emailed the photo above, described as “A bunch of my handmade floats picking up the last sun of the day.” It stretches the definition of Wild of the Week in a good way.

WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. To make submissions, email BowmanOutside@gmail.com or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside). or Bluesky (@Bowmanoutside).

LAST WORD

“I learned from the best when 14 or 15 on the [Montrose] Horseshoe with “Kenosha Ray” and Clint. They were fishing with jigs. They would go home when their fish basket was full. There were days I didn’t even fish, I just stared at them for hours. They fished with good rods and reels, not [#@$].”

Arden Katz, describing 40 years ago when he learned to fish perch on the lakefront

WILD TIMES

FISH GATHERINGS

Tuesday, Dec. 12: Mike Feldmann, fisheries technician, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies, Inc., North Branch Pizza & Burger Co., Glenview, 7:30 p.m., chicagolandmuskiehunters.org/meetingschedule.asp

UPDATED/NEW MEETING SITE Wednesday, Dec. 13: IDNR biologist Seth Love, focused on Heidecke Lake muskies, Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies, Inc., ~~Schaumburg Golf Club~~ changed to Moretti’s, Bartlett, 7 p.m., facebook.com/groups/281138376820

HUNTER SAFETY

Jan. 12-13: Bourbonnais, (815) 933-9400

SHOWTIME

Sunday, Dec. 10: Final day, Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo, Oshkosh, Wis.

Click here for the complete list of show, outdoors classes, swap meets and major ice-fishing events.

ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS

Sunday, Dec. 10: Final day, muzzleloader deer season

Monday, Dec. 11: Second lottery, spring turkey, begins

Tuesday, Dec. 12: Scaup, central zone, second season, daily bag one, begins

YOUTH HUNT

Dec. 31: Deadline to apply annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt (aged 10-17), scheduled for Jan. 15; go online to register; questions, call (217) 785-8060.

ILLUMINATION

Through Jan. 6: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum. Electric Illumination – an 18-and-older late-night experience – will feature a new curated disco and house music soundtrack from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 15 and 22; and an ’80s music-themed dance party Dec. 29, featuring hits from Prince, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Journey, Madonna, Talking Heads and more. For tickets, go to mortonarb.org and in-person at the Arboretum Visitor Center during operating hours. Pricing begins at $18.

Peninsula of potential? The Brandon Road Interbasin Project

2023-12-08T05:55:00-06:00

The peninsula that will be the center of the $1.1 billion Brandon Road Interbasin Project will expand out to 40 feet from the current narrow track.

Dale Bowman

Two spent red 12-gauge shotgun shells, among other detritus, littered the point of the peninsula below the Brandon Road Lock and Dam on the Des Plaines River in Joliet.

“There was a tire swing in that tree,” Mark Cornish said pointing to an overhanging tree.

Cornish, biologist, senior technical specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, led our group Wednesday on the tour of the area that will center the Brandon Road Interbasin Project.

The $1.146 billion project is “a complex, innovative ecosystem restoration project being constructed to prevent the movement of aquatic nuisance species from the Illinois Waterway into the Great Lakes watershed.” That primarily translates to trying to keep invasive carp from the Great Lakes.

File photo of Guy Price and his son Shawn (driving) circle jumping silver carp into nets at on the Illinois River, an ongoing effort to prevent invasive carp from advancing to the Great Lakes.

Dale Bowman

Funding is primarily at the federal level with Michigan adding $64 million and Illinois $50 million.

The project is ready to begin, pending Illinois signing the Project Partnership Agreement with the Army Corps. Negotiations continue. There’s some question of who is responsible for issues during construction and of who owns part of the peninsula, in part because of Illinois’ arcane riparian laws.

“Try to be soon, but not this week,” said Loren Wobig, director of the office of water resources, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

When the PPA is signed, it would start what is expected to be a 10-year construction project of “a big lab experiment.”

I’m drawn to incongruous urban wild areas. Take Montrose Harbor, a premier shore fishing spot of the Great Lakes that is within earshot of the swishing hum of Lake Shore Drive; or Palmisano Park, Chicago’s blueprint for a modern urban park built around a quarry with a notorious history.

The peninsula downstream of Brandon Road fits that mix.

“This is the land that is forgotten in the middle of the river,” Cornish said.

But nature perseveres. A belted kingfisher rattled as I opened my car door. Deer tracks showed in the muck of the tire-track path on the peninsula. Anglers had worn trails through brush down banks, especially by the massive eddy downstream of the lock. A couple weathered duck blinds stood in the Des Plaines.

Winter brown vegetation trapped the usual urban trash. One area held discarded tires and a busted piece of electronics, which looked like something from the 1980s.

“This is kind of a wasteland,” Cornish said.

It will evolve over the next 10 years and beyond. Will it stop silver and bighead carp from reaching Lake Michigan? It could be part of the solution.

First sign of that evolution are green monitoring wells, which measure water levels and help with chemical analysis.

Monitoring wells are one of the first tangible signs of the coming $1.1 billion Brandon Road Interbasin Project.

Dale Bowman

Andy Leichty, project manager for the Army Corps, said basic water level is 505 feet above sea level below the lock and dam. The 100-year flood level is 510; the 500-year flood is 514. The plan is to have the buildings and the peninsula top at 517.3 feet.

The peninsula, made when the channel for the lock was dug, is basically a two-rut road. Leichty said it will be expanded to 40 feet wide for the buildings, an access drive and a small parking area.

Over the decades that Illinois has been at the forefront of stopping invasive carp from reaching Lake Michigan, technology evolved, including how to market invasive carp (“Copi”?). There’s advances in understanding eDNA (though I sometimes consider it “boy crying wolf”) and the uses of acoustic deterrents (already being used via barges when the current electric barriers at Romeoville are offline).

This project will bring other innovations. Wobig said industry people think they can break up and remove the bedrock without completely removing water. The flushing lock, which will take water from upstream and flush the lock, still needs to be fully designed.

Construction will include an engineered concrete channel with electric barrier, underwater acoustic deterrent, air bubble curtain and an automated barge clearing deterrent (basically blowing out fish hidden or trapped between or in barges).

A barge on the way out of the Brandon Road Lock Wednesday during a tour of the peninsula that will be the center of the $1.1 billion Brandon Road Interbasin Project to keep from invasive species, especially invasive carp, from advancing to the Great Lakes.

Dale Bowman

Hopefully, innovations will extend to fish mitigation. If the project stops invasive species, it will also stop native species from natural movements. Physically moving native species around the project seems unlikely; maybe utilizing the Downstate Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery or learning a new method.

Walking out Wednesday, just past a bridge of unknown origins abandoned on the peninsula, we spotted what looked like a hornets’ nest.

It was time.

Time for the experiment to begin.

As Cornish put it Tuesday during the public open house, “We know more today than we did 20 years ago. We’ll know more 20 years from today.”

More on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project is at mvr.usace.army.mil/BRIP/.

A view of the Brandon Road Lock Wednesday, April 3, 2013, near Rockdale. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Matthew Grotto, Sun-Times Media Sun-Times Media

A jumble of jumbo perch and history

2023-12-06T05:40:29.27-06:00

Jim O’Neil holds a pair of jumbo perch caught off downtown Chicago last week.

Provided

For some folks fishing perch the last month on southern Lake Michigan, from Indiana to downtown Chicago, it’s a jumble of jumbos and history.

On Nov. 25, Bill Bercik, 87, caught a 15 1/2-inch perch on a Whiting/Robertsdale Boat Club outing in Indiana. Perch America member John Rokosz said it weighed 1 pound, 8 ounces at the club.

Rokosz said Bercik, a retired dentist in Whiting who caught numerous notable jumbos in his life, typically sticks with 8-pound monofilament line with flies he tied and minnows.

Bill Bercik holds a jumbo yellow perch caught at Gary Light late last month.

Provided by John Rokosz

Bercik’s dad William was a mayor of Whiting. When he died of of a heart attack on a fishing trip in northern Wisconsin in 1957, Bercik’s mother, Mary, was appointed mayor. She ran in the next election and became the first woman elected mayor in Indiana, according to the Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society. Bercik’s brother Robert also served as a mayor of Whiting.

As befits someone with interests in outdoors and politics, Bercik is an avid Sun-Times reader.

Then Jim O’Neil, who does the restarted “Midwest Outdoors Podcast,” texted last week, “Catching some of the biggest jumbos we’ve seen in a minute.”

They were catching handfuls of perch of 13 to 15 inches fishing off downtown Chicago.

The topper came when his “buddy Mitch Cohan [caught] a Fish of the Week, if not Year.”

It measured 15.75 inches and weighed 2 pounds.

Mitch Cohan with a 2-pound yellow perch caught off downtown Chicago.

Provided by Jim O’Neil

“[Cohan] was my first student at Marist when I was an assistant coach at Marist as a college student,” O’Neil texted.

Cohan, who comes from Mt. Greenwood, “Loves perch fishing,” according O’Neil. “We are catching them all on artificials: Spoons, jigs, blades, and plastics, no live bait.”

Yellow perch records are some of longest standing in both Indiana and Illinois.

Roy Burkel Jr. caught Indiana’s record (2 pounds, 8 ounces) in 1981 from a Vigo County gravel pit. Joe Grega caught the Illinois record (2-8.75) on Jan. 5, 1974 from the old Arrowhead Club Lake in Will County.

Illinois hunting

When preliminary harvest totals come for the overall firearm deer season, I will post at suntimes.com/outdoors. Muzzleloader season is Friday to Sunday.

Showtime

Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo (icefishexpo.com) is Friday to Sunday at Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Stray Cast

Is our early ice or Bulls’ winning streaks more ephemeral?

Chicago fishing: ‘Little-Man-got-up-at-5’ kind of perch fishing

2023-12-05T12:34:40.629-06:00

Jason Fox’s “Little Man,” his son David, 4, with one of the perch they caught at Navy Pier.

Provided

Perch fishing on southern Lake Michigan leads this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report. There’s some ice fishing in the Northwoods.

Jason Fox emailed the photo at the top and this explanation (it might be my all-time favorite explanation to the lead photo for the online MFR):

Little Man got up at 5 and was fishing by 6. His first Chicago shore fishing extravaganza. Fishing wasn’t fast and furious but they were all quality fish. It was awesome getting him out there and assimilate him with the locals. He learned some colorful words and was cheered on by his neighbors. It’s always a fun time out there.

Jason Fox’s “Little Man” with some of the perch caught at Navy Pier.

Provided

Here’s to David Fox, 4, aka “Little Man,” colorful words, cheering neighbors and the blessed perch. There’s so much right with the photos down to the PFD (life jacket) on “Little Man.”

LAKEFRONT PERCH

Adem Tagani holds one of many perch caught over the weekend at Navy Pier.

Provided

Adem Tagani emailed the photo above and this:

Good Afternoon Dale,
Wanted to give you a quick report on the Navy Pier perch fishing. My dad and I went out on Saturday morning and got 19. We also went Sunday morning and got 16. Average size was about 10 inches with the biggest measuring at 13. All were caught on minnows. Before the sun came up, we caught a few right on the wall, but once that sun came up we were bombing our crappie rigs halfway across the channel to get those perch to bite. Seems like they were sitting on the weed beds. Bite was solid both days and saw many people catching fish. Hopefully they continue to bite like this.
Adem Tagani

Perch caught at Navy Pier Saturday in the sink.

Provided by Adam Tagani

Arden Katz said there was small fish at 89th over the weekend, so he moved to 87th and limited on keepers. Fish were caught on Mini-Mites with spikes. He cast out, pumped the rod, held it, then repeated if needed. Fish moved in waves.

Jim Shell emailed the YouTube video above and this:

Hi Dale,
Chicago lakefront perch fishing is on FIRE! This past Saturday (12-2) was my 4th weekend in a row fishing the lakefront for perch. Two weeks ago fishing was great. Last week was a struggle. Marked lots of fish but they just shut down. The cold weather we had at the start of this past week cooled lake temps down to 39F and the perch turned on BIG TIME! In my 6 years of fishing for perch, this was the best trip I’ve ever had. Found huge schools of perch on the north side of Navy Pier by boat. Plenty of fish, but once again the bite was VERY light. It was very hard to detect the bite unless you were holding the rod in your hand. Most of the time you would not feel a tap. You would feel a slight additional resistance on the line. When so, a quick sweep up would result in a nice perch being hooked. The bite was nearly nonstop when I arrived around 7:30am till I left around 12:30pm. My limit of (15) perch averaged 12. with the biggest (3) just over 13. No monster jumbos, but great average size.
Here’s a link to a how to and tips video I posted on catching Lakefront Perch. Fingers crossed the bite is good in another 2 weeks when my son Casey is back home for the Holidays. Hope to have another report for you then!
Jim Shell

Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:

PERCH ARE STILL LEADING THE REPORT! NAVY PIER HAS BEEN VERY GOOD! LOTS OF JUMBOS! SOUTH AT 85th, 95th etc… REPORTS ARE MIXED BUT MOSTLY GOOD. TIMING SEEMS TO BE THE KEY THERE. NO HARBOR REPORTS FOR PERCH LATELY. MINNOWS ON SOME SORT OF CRAPPIE RIG SET UP HAS BEEN WORKING GREAT AS WELL AS SHRIMP, WORMS, JIGGING SPOONS OR PLASTICS WITH A WAX WORM OR SPIKE.

Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop in Waukegan texted:

Good morning, we are seeing a few perch off the end of gov pier. Nothing real steady, but a start!

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

Perch, perch, perch is the deal and what seems to be what everybody wants.
A few miles out in front of Gary lighthouse in 50 to 60 ft of water for boat fisherman has been solid. Minnows fished on perch fly rigs is the deal
Fisherman fishing the slips and the river on shore and navy pier has been good some days slow the next. Some quality fish tho have been caught.
Boats have been going up to 106th street and beyond and moving around to find the perch. Some days great some days a grind.

AUGER SHARPENING

For the 24th year, Fran Connelly is sharpening of auger blades. Find “Ice Auger Sharpening” on Facebook or drop off blades at either Lee’s Bait & Tackle (Elk Grove Village or Carol Stream).

NAVY PIER ANGLING

North side of Navy Pier is open for anglers. Discounted parking for anglers is $9 daily, beginning at 5 a.m.; must be out by 10 a.m. for the discount. Click here to prepay for the discounted tickets.

NOTE ON CHICAGO PASSES

For now, the Northerly Island Visitor Center remains closed, so the only place to buy parking parking passes or pier passes is at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor (cash only). Unfortunately, the last day at Park Bait for the year looks to be Sunday, Nov. 10. For more information, you can email the park district at fishing@chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Chicago Park District’s parking passes ($20 for two months) are for the anglers’ parking lots at DuSable and Burnham harbors.

The park district pier passes ($10 for the season) allow legal access to select piers at Jackson Park, Burnham, DuSable, Diversey, Belmont and Montrose harbors.

LAKEFRONT PARKING NOTE

My column from Nov. 30, 2022, on parking the length of the Chicago lakefront is posted at https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/11/30/23485385/chicago-lakefront-parking-fishing

AREA LAKES

Dave Kranz of Dave’s Bait, Tackle and Taxidermy in Crystal Lake and with his You-Tube channel, Dave Kranz Living the wild outdoors, texted:

Hopes of really early ice melted with the warming temperatures. There are some still Fishing open water. Live bait is what’s working in these cold waters. Large golden roach minnows for bass and pike, large or extra large fatheads for crappie, white bass and walleyes. McHenry Dam is ok from the bank but much better out of a boat.

Ken “Husker” O’Malley found bluegill in open water over the weekend.

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

Hey Dale,
Here’s a recap from the weekend. The warm up and rain made the ice disappear as quickly as it appeared. Fished four different lakes and all had very cloudy water from those recent rains. Water temps are in the mid to lower 40’s. Saturday and Sunday were polar opposites of each other. Yesterday the focus was on the late morning to mid afternoon hours. Bass would not touch a bait and the pannies were playing looky Lou’s. Today the early morning hours were the focus despite the rain. It took awhile to figure out a pattern, but found aggressive bluegill in bays where the winds blew into yesterday. The bait of choice was a Wiggleyourworm_fishing custom jig in wonder bread tipped with a bees moth. That bite lasted until 10:30 before shutting down. It was worth the rain and cold to catch some quality gills.
. . .
TTYL
Ken Husker O’Malley
Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team

Gozortenplat Zappafest.

Provided

Rob Abouchar messaged the photo above and this:

Hi Dale
The ice is holding im our corner of island lake but barely. Most of the lake is open but few out fishing. I saw one angler fishing by the spillway. On sunday as i was sitting in my living room somewhere between an emotional high and complete exhaustion i saw a boad come through breaking the ice. Not sure where they were heading but i had to do a double take. So it’s wait for the freeze or thaw whichever comes first.
In the music front the zappafest weekend was a smashing success. Everyone was saying we killed it. That was a good enough review for me. Gozortenplat if the finest group of musicians ive ever been associated with and im so grateful tobe part of it. Next up will necplans for recording some original songs for my next album. Sounds strange to say but it can happen.
Tight lines and good health!
Rob

And my Tuesday is made with the music report.

This week I have my own music report. Our second son’s band, “Something in the Shadows,” is at Reggies on Sunday. It’s a venue on South State I’ve wanted to visit for a long time. Now I have a good reason to go.

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA

Kyle Tepper at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said a few guys ice fished briefly last week, but now some are launching boats and catching walleye on No. 7 Rippin’ Raps in 17 feet and 3 feet; panfsh are being caught in first-ice spots in channels; muskie were good, especially before that brief ice, on bigger suckers.

NOTE: Check updates on water conditions at foxwaterway.com or (847) 587-8540.

NOTE 2: Stratton Lock and Dam is closed through April 30, 2024.

CHICAGO RIVER

Bass fishing the Chicago River late season.

Provided by Jeffrey Williams

Jeffrey Williams messaged the photo above and this:

What [might] be our last Bass day of the year, managed near 20 mostly along the south branch, only using jigs and tight ropes

COOLING LAKES

Braidwood, Heidecke and LaSalle are closed.

DOWNSTATE

POWERTON: Closed. Bank fishing reopens Christmas.

EMIQUON PRESERVE: Running through the end of duck season, fishing is only allowed after noon. Access permits and liability waivers are available Tuesday to Saturday at Dickson Mounts Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed.

SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing.

FOX RIVER

Dave Kranz of Dave’s Bait, Tackle and Taxidermy in Crystal Lake and with his You-Tube channel, Dave Kranz Living the wild outdoors, texted:

. . . Live bait is what’s working in these cold waters. . . . McHenry Dam is ok from the bank but much better out of a boat.

GENEVA LAKE, WISCONSIN

Kyle Tepper at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said there’s a good bite, especially at night, trolling and casting, for walleye in 12-25 feet.

GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN

Guide Mike Norris emailed:

Fishing Report – 12/02/2023
Mike Norris
Big Green Lake: With a maximum depth of 236 feet, Wisconsin’s deepest lake isn’t ready to freeze yet. Slush ice settled into Dartmouth Bay last week and effectively cut off anyone who wanted to launch a boat. Our daytime temps are reaching the mid-30s, and nighttime temps are only dropping into the mid-20s, so we are neither making new ice nor losing any ice that has already formed. Beyer’s Cove and the T-Channels have thin ice and are unsafe to walk out on. With a long-term forecast that doesn’t predict the arrival of any significant cold fronts over the next ten days, ice fishing will remain suspect on Big Green Lake. The best bet for hard-water anglers is the smaller ponds in south-central Wisconsin. Lazy Lake in Fall River, the Cambria Mill Pond, and Harris Pond north of Montello, WI. are three places where safe ice of two inches or thicker forms quickly.
Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo: Following the heels of the extremely popular Minnesota Ice Fishing Expo, the inaugural Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo takes place December 8 – 10 at The Sunnyville Expo Center in Oshkosh, WI. The venue will host many major ice fishing manufacturers, and daily seminars will feature the top names in the ice fishing business. For more info, visit the show website at icefishexpo.com

KANKAKEE RIVER

Bob Johnson with a smallmouth bass from the Kankakee River.

Provided

Bob Johnson emailed the photo above and this:

Hi Dale - December 2 on Kankakee River and still catching Smallmouth and Walleye. Water temp today at 40 and 41 in most areas with mud lines evident from recent rains, main river has good visibility. Sunday rain might stain it up. Caught the walleye on a jerk bait and jigging spoon. Bass still taking deep diving crainkbaits on pause. Both quality and quantity were lean but still cool catching river fish in December. Catch and release

George Peters with a tough December smallmouth bass from the Kankakee River.

Provided

George Peters emailed the photo above and this:

December bass are hard to get. Fished 2 hours and got 2 fish. Slow deep water with a jig and twister tail was the ticket. The mild month so far might lead to a few more before ice up. G. Peters Happy Holidays!

LAKE ERIE

Click here for the Ohio DNR Report.

LAKEFRONT

Nick Winstead with a lake trout caught perch fishing at Navy Pier.

Nick Winstead, lake trout, perch fishing, Navy Pier, Anthony Johnson, fishing, outdoors

Anthony Johnson messaged the photo above and this on Monday afternoon:

Navy Pier just now
Nick Winstead got it on a perch pounder tipped with wax worms

Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:

PERCH ARE STILL LEADING THE REPORT! NAVY PIER HAS BEEN VERY GOOD! LOTS OF JUMBOS! SOUTH AT 85th, 95th etc… REPORTS ARE MIXED BUT MOSTLY GOOD. TIMING SEEMS TO BE THE KEY THERE. NO HARBOR REPORTS FOR PERCH LATELY. MINNOWS ON SOME SORT OF CRAPPIE RIG SET UP HAS BEEN WORKING GREAT AS WELL AS SHRIMP, WORMS, JIGGING SPOONS OR PLASTICS WITH A WAX WORM OR SPIKE.
NOW FOR THE OTHER FISH AROUND! LAKERS! YES! QUITE A FEW MIXED IN WITH THOSE PERCH SO BE READY FOR A FIGHT ON YOUR LIGHT GEAR IF YOU HOOK INTO ONE. KEEP DRAG A LITTLE LOSE! IF LAKERS ARE YOUR TARGET USE A LARGER MINNOW LIKE A GOLDEN SHINER, NIGHT CRAWLER OR EVEN CAST A SPOON OR CRANKBAIT. THERE ARE STILL BEAUTIFUL STEELHEAD IN AND AROUND THE HARBORS HITTING ON HAIR JIGS WITH A WAX WORM, SPOONS, CRANKBAITS, LARGE SHINERS, SPAWN SACS CRAWLERS AND SHRIMP. ALSO A FEW NORTHERNS & SMALLMOUTH.
SADLY WE ARE NEARING THE END OF OUR SEASON. WE WILL GO THROUGH THIS SUNDAY DEC. 10th 6AM TO 4PM. AFTER THAT IS QUESTIONABLE.HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop in Waukegan texted:

Good morning, we are seeing a few perch off the end of gov pier. Nothing real steady, but a start! Still a few browns too.

SALMON SNAGGING: Here are the details from the IDNR:

MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN

Click here for the update from D&S Bait, Tackle & Fly Shop.

MAZONIA

Closed, except Monster Lake is open all year.

Hours are 6 a.m. to sunset.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

Chris Heider caught a 20-inch walleye on early ice in the Northwoods while fishng with Tres Holes.

Provided by Kyle Lamm

Kyle Lamm messaged on X, formerly Twitter, the photo above and below, and this;

Hello Dale
Just got back from a ice fishing weekend in the Hayward, WI area with Tres Holes (http://tresholes.com)
We only fished one lake, 1500 Acre Lake that’s fairly shallow, but the ice is great. Ice is 4-5 inches and no snow pack.
Fished in 4-5 feet of water with tip ups and caught good walleye with occasional Muskie.
Medium sized suckers caught biggest fish, and fat heads landed some decent perch.
Adam Miller caught 33 inch Muskie.
Chris Heider caught 20 inch Walleye.
Thanks
Kyle Spoon Man Lamm

Well, looks like early ice is holding in th Northwoods; quite unlike our ice.

For further proof, Kurt Justice’s report follows.

Jeff Walz with a 38.5-inch northern pike caught on a Northwoods lake during Kurt’s Island Sport Shop’s Ice Fishing Extravaganza over the weekend.

Provided

Kurt Justice at Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua emailed the photos above and below, and this report:

Details on the top photo.

Congratulations Jeff Walz !!38.5 northern pike caught on a Northwoods Area Lake , 5’ of water, Two large shiners on a single treble hook!

Here’s the fishing report:

Off to a great early ice fishing season in the Lakeland area. Ice on smaller lakes and bays have reports of 4-6 of ice. Light snow, but not enough to hinder ice production when overnights got down into the low teens over the weekend. Anglers getting after it and reporting great success as the early ice has been a relief following a poor gun deer season.
Walleye: Excellent – Walleyes very active. This is a great time to hone your jigging skills as Walleyes reportedly chasing raps and spoons 4-6’ off the bottom, at times 3-4 fish at a time. Most of this action occurring 1 ½ hours pre-dawn as well as the hour either side of dusk in 5-8’ of water. Tip-ups of course scoring using suckers and shiners. But for some reel fun, try some jigging for these early ice season Walleye.
Northern Pike: Excellent – Also very active! Most anglers finding success with large, lively bait on tip-ups and Jaw Jackers! That same 5-8’ depths with good weed cover. Don’t be shy to hang ‘em high! Big Pike reported with a 38 ½ St. Germain fish tops, but an equally impressive 37 caught by 10 yr old local legend Elija also iced. Not many do it, but also a great time to jig big pimples or large jigging raps for the Pike. Great fun on a rod and reel.
Crappies: Good – Where and when you can find. Most reports from anglers working shallow green weeds in 6-10’. One report from anglers tip-down fishing in 25’ not able to keep up with 3 lines. Finesse not as important with early ice and good oxygen levels. Minnows or spoons tipped with waxies best.
Bluegills: Good – Most reports are of #’s, but feeling is as anglers get out on the less pressured waters we will hear more on size. The new Clam Tikka Flash has been a surprise hit on these aggressive Gills and Crappies in the smallest size. Otherwise, grubs, spikes and the old reliable teardrop is hard to beat early like this.
Not much for a Perch or Bass report, some being caught.
With such great action, don’t throw caution to the wind. Spud your way across new ice, carry safety spikes, rope and wear floatation jackets or carry a floating cushion. We do have a 24-30 hour or so stretch of above freezing temps (32-45 degrees) before things cool off by Saturday (12/9). Shouldn’t be enough to hurt, just enough to take snow cover off and require cleats to get around.
Upcoming Tournaments
Jan 6th – 73rd Annual Rib Lake Area Ice Fishing Contest – Rib Lake
Jan 6th – 16th Annual NCO Club & AMVETS Post 724 Ice Fishing Tournament – Lake Nokomis
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop – Like us on Facebook

Elijah, 10, caught a 37 1/8-inch northern pike during Kurt’s Island Sport Shop’s Ice Fishing Extravaganza over the weekend.

Provided

NORTHWEST INDIANA

Philip Jordan with a beautiful steelhead from Trail Creek in Indiana.

Provided

Philip Jordan messaged Sunday on Instagram the photo above and this:

If you are writing a report for next week you should let folks know how good fishing has been on trail creek. We went 6/7 there yesterday, including this 34 inch buck. We kept one hen and released the rest of the fish. We also did well last Sunday on trail too.

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

Perch, perch, perch is the deal and what seems to be what everybody wants.
A few miles out in front of Gary lighthouse in 50 to 60 ft of water for boat fisherman has been solid. Minnows fished on perch fly rigs is the deal
Fisherman fishing the slips and the river on shore and navy pier has been good some days slow the next. Some quality fish tho have been caught.
Boats have been going up to 106th street and beyond and moving around to find the perch. Some days great some days a grind.
Slez’s Bait Shop has Rosie red minnows back in stock.

SHABBONA LAKE

Through January 31, winter site hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Boondocks is closed.

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Mark Radvonausky at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said on Tuesday that an 11-pound stelehead and 7-pound brown was caught off the St. Joe Pier.

Over the weekend in the St. Joseph River, the winning team, which included Radvonausky, Glennie Gajewski and Jeremy Curtis, at the 31-boat Southwest Michigan Steelheaders Winter River Challenge caught five steelhead, including the big fish of 9.46 pounds. Among their presentations were spawn sacs.

Paddle and Pole hosts the Berrien Springs Fish Ladder Camera.

WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN

Guide Bill Stoeger in Fremont texted:

The river did ice over last week, but warmer temperatures are opening it up. Walleye around the Rat have been very active. I’m going up river this morning and try my luck.

Encounters of the Deer Kind: Vehicular, bowhunting and shotgun

2023-12-05T09:01:46.361-06:00

Mike Mikolajczyk with the 15-point buck he arrowed last month in Will County to complete quite a month of big-buck encounters.

Provided

It’s either “Revenge of the Deer” or “Revenge of the Hunter.”

On Nov. 11, Mike Mikolajczyk fatally hit a 10-point buck in Mokena with his new GMC Sierra.

“Hadn’t even made the first payment yet,” he emailed.

Then on Nov. 18 during firearm season, he shot a 13-point buck that field dressed at 218 pounds in Will County. On Nov. 25, he arrowed a 15-pointer that field dressed at 206 pounds in the same area on the same farm.

“These are my 2nd and 3rd biggest deer that I have taken with gun or bow,” he emailed. “I got an 18-pointer with my bow a few years ago on the same farm.”

Buck of the Week, the celebration of big bucks and their stories or (the stories matter, as this one shows) around Chicago hunting, runs Wednesdays in the paper Sun-Times as warranted.

To make submissions, email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com) or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), Twitter (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or Bluesky (@BowmanOutside).

Bucking the Thanksgiving trend for a buck steelhead on the Chicago lakefront

2023-12-04T05:56:37.19-06:00

Philip Jordan with beautiful buck steelhead caught and released Thanksgiving at Diversey Harbor.

Provided

Philip Jordan chose the less-traveled path Thanksgiving on the Chicago lakefront.

It paid off with a steelhead.

“I love fishing on Thanksgiving,” he messaged on Instagram. “It usually means that most anglers are downtown jockeying for the best perch spot, which leaves the harbors mostly empty, except for my most prized pursuit: steelhead. I hooked up with this buck at Diversey Harbor floating spawn bags (king salmon eggs) about 6 or 7 feet down.

“He gave me a decent fight, and I was able to land and release him without incident. He’s out there now for someone else to chase!”

It’s worth a full-length view.

Philp Jordan holds steelhead caught and released on the Chicago lakefront Thanksgiving.

Provided

FOTW, the celebration of big fish and their stories (the stories matter, as this one shows) around Chicago fishing, runs Wednesdays in the paper Sun-Times.

To make submissions, email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com) or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), X (formerly Twitter) (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or Bluesky (@BowmanOutside).