MIDWEST FISHING REPORT

LAKEFRONT PERCH: It begins. Henry’s: Some reports around 95th. Slez’s: Perch starting Cal Park up the river to 95th, boats moving around doing best.

AREA LAKES: A few trying for leftover trout, otherwise crappie. On bass, Ken “Husker’’ O’Malley: Bone-colored jerkbaits, when winds allow, over tops of deep weeds: jerk-jerk-jerk-pause cadence.

AREA RIVERS: CHICAGO: Capt. Pat Harrison: Bluegills more consistent than bass. DES PLAINES:

Tim Baker: Largemouth on worms and spinner baits in current breaks off main river; pike feeding up for winter, try spinner baits, jerkbaits, crankbaits or swimbaits. ILLINOIS: Bill Guerrini: Barto Landing closed five to 10 days as rock berm work begins.

KANKAKEE: Kyle Lund: Fall and fresh water at creek mouths — flow quadrupled and height doubled, water temperatures dropping in the 40s — “is every fisherman’s dream.’’ On Thursday, 20 smallmouth on mud line at Davis Creek; expect walleye bite to go any day.

CHAIN: Triangle: Crappie are going in back channels, tight to the walls, or in 10-15 ft. on Marie; white and yellow bass in 10-15 ft. on Marie with some evening walleye shallow; catfish good on cut bait and stinkbait. Tim Baker: Crappie in 20-30 ft. off points; live bait best (small minnows on drop-shot). LOCK: Closed for the season.

LAKEFRONT: Perch at top. Henry’s: Still some salmon around.

N. WIS.: MINOCQUA: Kurt Justice: Long cold stretch should start ice fishing before opening of deer season (Nov. 17). Smallmouth (deep water near transition areas) are good to very good; muskie (suckers, slow glide and jerk baits or rubber baits) and crappie (over downed wood) are good.

NW IND.: Perch at top. Slez’s: Whitefish and lakers at Michigan City pier; boaters taking lakers when weather allows by reef near Burns Ditch.

ST. JOSEPH, MICH.: Tackle Haven: Whitefish going at South Haven, some walleye and steelhead in the river.

SHABBONA: Park hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Lakeside closed, boat rental by appointment.