MIDWEST FISHING REPORT
SHORELINE SALMON/TROUT: Quinn Wunar: On Chicago lakefront, coho good when schools move in; catching more on TS Jigs (tipped with waxies or pieces of shrimp) than skein; when sunny, also hitting Cleos and Oslo Spinners (orange/bright). Park Bait: Powerliners catching coho, some on rod and reel, larger minnows or crawlers, a few using lures or crankbaits; some steelhead and browns. Salmon Stop: Before cold snap, Waukegan’s South Rocks hot for coho (and a few browns) on spawn sacs; some steelhead in Waukegan River, spoons and inline spinners. Slez’s Bait: In Indiana, coho good from Hammond to Michigan City, the beach to 35 feet, Brad’s ThinFish, J-9s and small shallow-running crankbaits; from shore, skein, spawn sacs, squid and shrimp. PASSES: Chicago Park District’s parking passes ($20, two months, anglers’ lots at DuSable and Burnham) at Park Bait (cash only) or Northerly Island Visitor Center (credit card); call (312) 745-2910 first.
LaSALLE: Cooling lake south of Seneca reopens today, 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Daily updates on boating at (815) 640-8099. Fisheries biologist David Wyffels emailed no notable fish kills last year, blue catfish and hybrids main draw, but bass improved last year.
EARLY TROUT: Illinois’ early catch-and-release trout season opens Saturday. Nearby early C&R sites: Rock Creek, Kankakee River SP; Pine Creek, White Pines Forest SP; Apple River, Apple River Canyon SP. Regular spring trout opens April 1. AREA LAKES: Juan Macias: Crappie (other species), Busse, micro-plastics and waxies early, then live bait in 6 feet. Dave’s Bait: Before cold snap Monday night, bass in open water surprisingly good on jigs, crankbaits and jerkbaits. Ken “Husker” O’Malley: Bite windows small with yo-yoing weather, largemouth on jerkbaits (cloudy days) and lipless crankbaits (sunny days, north shorelines); for crappie, waxies or Chena Bait under float along outside weed lines. BRAIDWOOD: Bob Johnson: Bass bite slowed from opening week, but good largemouth, primarily on finesse baits, good one on a lipless crankbait, some bluegill on drop-shots.
CHAIN/FOX RIVER: Lower river out of Chain no-wake. Triangle: On Chain, mostly crappie (not full blast yet), some white bass and catfish. Dave’s Bait: Walleye at McHenry Dam, jig and fathead; channels should reopen after skim ice Monday night for crappie and bluegill.
CHICAGO RIVER: Jeffrey Williams: On Monday, caught a largemouth on Riverwalk with the green-dyed river. Friend caught a koi on North Branch.
ILLINOIS RIVER: MWC tournament this weekend out of Spring Valley. LAKEFRONT: Trout/salmon at top. Jason “Special One” Le: Brother Hoa le caught two whitefish bottoming fishing Sunday.
MADISON, WISCONSIN: D&S Bait: Ice fishing done.
NORTHERN WISCONSIN: Kurt Justice: Snow/slush making travel on ice (averaging 24 inches) tough. Bluegill (weeds, 9-11 feet), crappie (moving shallower into 18-22 feet) and perch (weed-relating in 9-11) good.
NORTHWEST INDIANA: Slez’s: When weather allows, good perch in 55 feet.
ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN: Tackle Haven: Weather limited coho on lake; some steelhead at Berrien Springs. Walleye closes today.