MIDWEST FISHING REPORT
MUSKIE NOTE: Season opens Saturday in northern Wisconsin.
AREA LAKES: Ken ‘‘ Husker’’ O’Malley: Evening producing good bass on Senkos on outside edge of weed clumps or spinner baits burned over weed tops. Pete Lamar: DuPage forest preserves on fire for panfish and bass. Big bull bluegills in Kane County forest preserves. Norm Minas on tour of ponds found on Google Earth: Best was the least developed ( caught largemouth). Many ponds had algae issues.
AREA RIVERS: DES PLAINES: Marcus Benesch: Levels settled. Water temperature in mid- 60s. Bass better than pike. Weeds low enough to be accessible. KANKAKEE: Minas: Main river still tough to wade, but creeks wadeable. Techniques varying as much as water temperatures. Buzzbaits have been good.
BRAIDWOOD: Rob Abouchar: Good early- bass bite on crankbaits or topwaters. Matt Leimbach and Nick Studeman won weekend tournament ( three, 11.05 pounds).
CHAIN O’LAKES: James Stewart: Good crappie in channels, including a 15- incher, on a minnow two feet under float. Triangle: Water temperature in low 60s. When sun is out, crappie and bluegills under piers. Late- spawner bass in channels. Walleye good around current in 4 to 6 feet. Catfish fair.
DELAVAN/ GENEVA, WISCONSIN: DELAVAN: Dave Duwe: Bluegills best in 2 to 3 feet on west end in Viewcrest Bay. Pike all right in weedy bays. Walleye in mid- depth weeds ( 12 to 14 feet). GENEVA: Duwe: Largemouth best in Abbey Harbor or Geneva Bay. Smallmouth not spawning yet. Cool water slowing rock bass. GREEN/ STURGEON BAYS, WISCONSIN: Howie’s Tackle: When weather allows, bass‘‘ fantastic.’’ Look for warmer water pockets in bays or transition areas. HEIDECKE: Walleye are on fire, as Fish of the Week indicated. Joe Sanderson messaged a young woman caught a 7- 15 walleye. Water is 65 degrees. HENNEPIN- HOPPER: Lakes are open ( closed Mondays). Info at wetlands- initiative. org/ dixon- fishing. LAKEFRONT: Perch fishing closed through June 15 in Illinois waters. CHICAGO: Capt. Bob Poteshman: Best are lakers just outside of the cribs. Some coho and a few steelhead. NORTH POINT: Poteshman: Excellent coho in 120 to 300 feet. MAZONIA: Brian Schlenger tweeted about good big panfish Friday. Prime time, finally.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN: EAGLE RIVER: Chamber of Commerce: For walleye, look for new weeds. Muskie in progress or finishing spawn, depending on water temperature.
NORTHWEST INDIANA: Slez’s: When weather allows, lakers and coho in 90 to 100 feet from surface to bottom. Bluegills bedding in most inland waters.
ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN: Tackle Haven: Coho ( plus a few lakers and Chinook) in 120 to 300 feet. A few walleye in river. SHABBONA: Lakeside: Crappie good on minnows or soft plastics. Bass outstanding. Panfish decent. Water clarity is 2 feet. NOTE: Meet at office at 5 p. m. Wednesday for muskie rescue.