MIDWEST FISHING REPORT
LASALLE LAKE: Reopens today. Open daily from 6 a. m. to sunset. No launching boats if wind is 14 mph or higher. Blue catfish should be excellent, bluegills good, hybrids OK and black bass fair.
TROUT: Spring catch- and- release fly- fishing- only season opens Saturday at nine sites in Illinois. Those 16 and older need a valid fishing license and an inland trout stamp. Nearby sites are Apple River, Apple River SP; Rock Creek, Kankakee River SP; and Pine Creek, White Pines Forest SP.
LAKEFRONT COHO/ TROUT: Snow slowed/ stopped effort this week. CHICAGO: Powerliners were working Montrose last weekend. Ken Maggiore, FishTech: Browns ( 6 to 8 pounds), whitefish and laker ( 15 pounds). INDIANA: Slez’s Bait: When winds allow, trollers taking coho on Thin Fish, J- 9s or Bay Rat Coho Crushers. Others jigging lakers around the Port of Indiana. A few shore coho at Portage Park and lighthouse in Michigan City. WAUKEGAN: Salmon Stop: A few nice browns and some coho off Government Pier.
AREA RIVERS: CHICAGO: Capt. Pat Harrison: Water was 49 to 54 degrees last week. Some crappie and white bass in warmer waters. DES PLAINES: Joe Sanderson: It took 10 pounds Sunday for Adam Markiewicz and Edward Gad to win Three Rivers Bass Club Open. ILLINOIS: B& B Live Bait in Ottawa and Cajun’s in Utica are open. Sanderson: On Saturday, saugers were hot out of Spring Valley. It took 15 pounds for Steve Kozar and Brian Leroy to win carpenters’ tournament.
CHAIN O’LAKES: Triangle: Weather has been limiting. Weekend effort was geared toward crappie and walleye fishing.
COOLING LAKES/ STRIP PITS: LASALLE: See top. BRAIDWOOD: Rob Abouchar: Bass a little slow on west riprap from shore Monday, but some on purple Rat- L- Traps. Open 6 a. m. to 7 p. m. through April 13. MAZONIA: Open 6 a. m. to sunset. HEIDECKE: Reopens April 1.
LAKEFRONT: Coho/ trout at top. Weather limited perch effort. NAVY PIER: Fisherman’s parking is $ 6 if out by 10 a. m. PIER PASSES: Available at Henry’s ($ 6 cash, one per valid fishing license). NORTHERN WISCONSIN: Gamefish season closed. MINOCQUA: Kurt Justice: Looks like ice fishing will last through March ( averaging 18 inches). Weather limited weekend effort/ success. Expect better results with warmup.
NORTHWEST INDIANA: Salmon/ trout at top. Slez’s: Decent steelhead in tributaries on spawn sacs under a float or single Creek Candy Beads. ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN: NOTE: Inland walleye, pike and muskie seasons close today. Walleye and pike remain open on Lake Michigan. SHABBONA: Park hours are 8 a. m. to 8 p. m. in March. Lakeside is closed until April 1 or another round of warm weather. Boat rentals by appointment at shabbonalake.com or ( 815) 824- 2581.