MIDWEST FISHING REPORT
LAKEFRONT PERCH: Anglers Outlet noted good perch coming in Friday on Southeast Side. Then Larry Jennings messaged: ‘‘ Wet, foggy weekend didn’t slow down the perch or the perch fishermen! Fish were hitting on every cast on the South Side piers and harbors.’’ Slez’s Bait reported perch ( take sorting) from 89th through 95th; best on fatheads on crappie rigs or perch fly rigs in white or orange.
AREA RIVERS: DES PLAINES: Marcus Benesch: Water cooled to mid- 40s. Pike slowed, but they are still top bite on slow crankbaits or jerkbaits. Largemouth hitting Ripple Shads or finesse jigs. KANKAKEE: Trading Post: River stained but fishable. Most chatter about smallmouth, but some walleye. Many still fishing trout in Rock Creek.
CHAIN O’LAKES: Capt. Chris Taurisano: Caught a nearly 28inch walleye and noted: ‘‘ We’re definitely seeing a lot more of these kind of fish here.’’ Arden Katz: Lots of white bass ( to 15 inches) on Bluff, and crappie picking up in 15 to 20 feet. Water cooled to mid- 40s. Triangle: Muskie guys trying with smaller suckers. Walleye going in 8 to 14 feet on first break on Marie. Crappie, bluegills and perch going in harbor areas. Yellow bass on Spring.
LOCK/ DRAWDOWN: Stratton Lock closed for the season. Drawdown is underway.
GENEVA LAKE, WISCONSIN: Mark O’Neill of structure- fishing. com: Not numbers of smallmouth, but big ones to 21 inches. Electronics key to finding spots.
LAKEFRONT: CHICAGO: Perch at top. Park Bait: A few steelhead around Belmont and Diversey. WAUKEGAN: Salmon Stop: Quick limit of lakers from boat.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN: Kurt Justice: Skim ice on small ponds; smaller lakes have cooled into 30s. Muskie good on suckers or deep crankbaits.
NORTHWEST INDIANA: David Martin Repya: Whitefish ( on single eggs) and many lake trout around Michigan City. Slez’s: Lake trout and some steelhead off Michigan City pier. Bladebaits best for lakers, chunk of skein or roach minnow under float OK for steelhead. When levels OK in creeks, steelhead good on Voodoo jigs tipped with bee- moth or spawn sacs on plain hook.
ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN: Tackle Haven: Whitefish were real good off the piers until water warmed again. A few steelhead in river. SHABBONA: Park hours are 8 a. m.- 5 p. m. Lakeside is closed until ice fishing.
WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN: FREMONT: Bill Stoeger: Lots of walleye ( take sorting) in multiple spots. Still a few white bass.