MIDWEST FISHING REPORT
WISCONSIN OPENER: General inland season — walleye, trout, largemouth bass, northern pike — opens Saturday. So do smallmouth and muskie ( south) and catch- and- release smallmouth ( north). Prospects below.
AREA LAKES: Henry’s: Finally better crappie reports at Saganashkee. Ken ‘‘ Husker’’ O’Malley: Best for largemouth is throwing spinner baits tight to flooded shorelines.
AREA RIVERS: Adjust to high water by fishing shoreline eddies and pockets. CHICAGO: Capt. Pat Harrison: Water in mid- 50s. Largemouth on smaller crankbaits, jigs or drop- shots. Crappie and bluegills on pilings on Mini- Mites or white jigs. FOX NOTE: As of Tuesday, between Algonquin Dam and Stratton Lock and Dam was no- wake. Check foxwaterway. com or call ( 847) 587- 8540. ILLINOIS: Projected to be in flood into next week at LaSalle. KANKAKEE: Best levels of local rivers but stained and high.
BRAIDWOOD: Henry’s: Catfish and bluegills remain strong. Rob Abouchar: Even with weather, bass fishermen finding fish. Joe Ambrosini and Jeff Vandenburg won Anglers Choice ( three bass, 10.35 pounds).
CHAIN O’LAKES: Triangle: Crappie remain top bite in channels. White and yellow bass are good on main lakes. Bluegills are good when it warms. Walleye are very good; troll crankbaits to find fish, then try jig and minnow or leech. NOTE: The Stratton Lock opens Wednesday. Hours are 10 a. m. to 10 p. m. Wednesdays and Sundays and 10 a. m. to midnight Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
DELAVAN/ GENEVA, WISCONSIN: Dave Duwe: For opener, target smaller lakes in Walworth County ( such as Whitewater or Como) for largemouth and pike. For walleye, troll crankbaits in low light. For smallmouth, it’s Geneva. Find the bait fish.
LAKEFRONT: Weather limited boaters. Henry’s: Best has been smallmouth on Chicago lakefront, primarily on soft plastics and jigs. PERCH: Season is closed in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan through June 15. LaSALLE: Henry’s: Strong catfish and blues.
MADISON, WISCONSIN: D& S Bait: As cold as 45 degrees on Mendota. Opener typically has a night bite for walleye on Mendota, Waubesa and Monona, around inlets, outlets and points. Not much on crappie yet. Muskie guys will target Wingra.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN: EAGLE RIVER: Chamber of Commerce: Walleye should be post- spawn; find new weed growth. For crappie, try laydowns and weedy areas. MINOCQUA: Kurt Justice: Snowing on Tuesday, but weekend looks good. On smaller lakes, target walleye on green weeds; on larger lakes, walleye still are spawning, so focus on gravel beds next to deep water. Crappie bite is good. SHABBONA: Lakeside: Lake is up a foot and dirty, but it will be cleaner by weekend. Largemouth being caught. WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN: FREMONT: Bill Stoeger: Slow. Water cooled to 46 degrees.