MIDWEST FISHING REPORT
PERCH: Closed on Lake Michigan in Illinois through June 15.
AREA LAKES: As waters warm through 60s, nearly everything is moving. For bass, Ken `` Husker’’ O’Malley said best is lipless crankbaits on weed edges. Pete Lamar: Bluegill are active on flies ( soft tackle wet fly).
AREA RIVERS: CALUMET: BoRabb Williams: Lake and river up to 63, largemouth, smallmouth and catfish going. CHICAGO: Capt. Pat Harrison: Fishing still on slow side, but crappie, bluegill and smaller bass are starting to move as water warms through 50s. DES PLAINES: At the IHSA sectional, bass were in all stages of spawn, including some bedding in harbors.
KANKAKEE: Kyle Lund: Smallmouth ( catch- and- release through June 15) holding in washouts downstream from shallower faster water; catfishing improving on cut bait on inside river bends.
CHAIN: Triangle: Water warmed into 60s, bass starting to bed; bluegills are good in the channels; crappie moving out; walleye are OK around current areas. STRATTON LOCK AND DAM: Open daily 8 a. m.- midnight through Sept. 30. COOLING LAKES/ STRIP PITS: All are open 6 a. m.- sunset daily. MAZONIA: As water temperatures hit the 60s, this is prime time. BRAIDWOOD NOTE: Exelon’s Fishing for a Cure is Saturday.
DELAVAN/ GENEVA AREA, WIS.: Arden Katz: Bluegill and crappie loaded in the channels; best on 1/ 64- ounce jigs with white tails; channels are in the mid- 60s, main lake in mid- 50s. Dave Duwe: On Lauderdale opening day, water was 49, split shot and crawler took walleye and bass. On Geneva, water was 49, fishing slower.
LAKEFRONT: Capt. Bob Poteshman: At North Point, coho going good from beach to 30- 40 ft.; off Chicago, best bite is lakers in 45- 65 ft. Park Bait: Some trout being caught, alewives just started to show. Capt. Scott Wolfe: Waukegan fishing picked up as coho began moving and mixed bag with Chinook and lakers, by Saturday in 25- 45 ft.
N. WIS.: Kurt Justice: Where open water allowed, walleye were very good for the opener, though some lakes ( Trout, Fence) remained iced; on Flowages, walleye are in all stages of spawning. Water temperatures vary from mid- 30s to low 50s.
NW IND: Slez’s: Some kings in 40- 50 ft. outside Port; lakers in 80- 100; bluegill fair at Willow Slough for those moving around; crappie good on Pine. ST. JOSEPH, MICH.: Tackle Haven: They’re “smoking’’ kings and coho in 90- 130 feet; walleye, smallmouth and catfish going in the river. SHABBONA: Lakeside: Crappie “really good,’’ down three feet over cribs with minnows; water warmed into 60s, so everything is going; bass coming in, catfish being caught; walleye slow until the weeds come on better. WOLF RIVER, WIS.: WINNECONNE: Gary Bloom: Water “highest in 30 years,’’ walleye “really hitting well,’’ just a few white bass.