MIDWEST FISHING REPORT
LAKEFRONT PERCH: Key areas are 87th, 89th and 95th. Steve Palmisano, Henry’s: ‘‘ Reports are even better. I am going there right now.’’ Keepers take sorting. Bite is light, so he recommends lighter weight ( one or two split shots) with the minnows and a graphite rod ( better feel). Some being caught at Navy Pier. Some limits in the weeds at DuSable. Arden Katz: Key is moving around to find active fish. Key for bigger perch is minnows. Capt. Rich Sleziak: Best boater action is around Cal Park and up the river. A handful are fishing in 50 to 53 feet off Gary Light. Stacey Greene, Park Bait ( now closed for the winter): Some at Montrose and Diversey.
ICE FISHING: Spotty ice fishing by the weekend. Kurt Justice, Kurt’s Island Sport Shop, Minocqua, Wisconsin: ‘‘ Right now, not good. But they are talking about [ temperatures in the] single digits. Some bays and shallow- water areas will close. There will be limited options this weekend.’’ Gene Dellinger, D& S Bait, Madison, Wisconsin: Some will be fishing on 11/ 2 inches of ice on Cherokee Marsh by the weekend. Better chances for ice fishing in more places next week. Art Frisell, Triangle, Chain O’Lakes: ‘‘ By the weekend, it is an extreme possibility. Next week, for sure. So spool up.’’
AREA RIVERS: CALUMET: BoRabb Williams and Frank ‘‘ Cat Daddy’’ Smith catching crappie. CHICAGO: Capt. Pat Harrison: Work small jig and twister with a waxie or minnow with the current for panfish and bass ( slowed). KANKAKEE: High, stained. Norm Minas: A bubble, circle hooks, split shot and soft- plastic centipedes produced on current seams.
CHAIN O’LAKES: Ice chances above. Triangle: Walleye are going around bridge and current areas. Some crappie on deeper banks. Muskie fishermen trying with suckers.
LAKEFRONT: Perch at top. PIER PASSES: Available at Henry’s ($ 6 cash, one per valid fishing license) for legal access to select piers at Jackson, Burnham, DuSable, Diversey, Belmont and Montrose. NORTHWEST INDIANA: Perch at top. Slez’s Bait: Some steelhead in tributaries on black- and- purple Voodoo jigs tipped with wax worms or smaller spawn sacks under floats. Some whitefish near Michigan City pier with waxies or small spawn sacks. ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN: Tackle Haven: Steelhead going for boaters through the river. Some steelhead and whitefish off the pier.