|
1.
|
Illinois River
Ottawa, IL
|
Mostly Sunny - Air Temp in the low 20s rising to
the mid 30s with a Northwest wind around 8-10mph.
Water temp was 39.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
4 Sauger |
| Partner: |
5 Sauger |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Vertical Jigging with a fathead and stinger
hook. The jig/minnow combo was lowered straight
down to the bottom then raised 2 to 4 inches
every few seconds. Proper boat control was
important in the wind and current in order
to keep the line vertical.
|
All fish were released.
|
The morning bite
was slow. Right before it was time to leave, the
fish really started stealing the minnows.
Pictures from today!
|
|
2.
|
1/08/2003
Powerton Lake
Manito, IL
|
Mostly Sunny - Air Temp in the mid 30s rising to
the mid 50s with a West wind around 15 mph.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
12 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Drum |
|
1 Channel Catfish |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits.
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing was a
little slower than the last time I was at Powerton.
I caught a couple big fish but overall the fish were
smaller on average.
Pictures from today!
|
|
3.
|
1/30/2003
Powerton Lake
Manito, IL
|
Mostly Cloudy - Air Temp in the upper 20s with a
South wind around 5 mph increasing to beyond 10.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
1 Largemouth Bass |
|
10 Drum |
|
1 Buffalo |
|
9 Smallmouth Bass |
| Partner: |
4 Smallmouth Bass |
|
4 Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Spinners.
|
All fish were released.
|
I only caught
one fish where I had gotten them the last two trips
to this lake. When we did find them it was almost non-stop
action. My partner and I tried to wrestle a 15 pound
catfish out of the water that I hooked but the catfish
won. I also lost a 25 pound carp the same way. All the
other fish we landed made up for that.
Pictures from today!
|
|
4.
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2/11/2003
Powerton Lake
Manito, IL
|
Clouds breaking for bright sunshine - Air Temp was
14 rising to about freezing with a West wind around
20 mph gusting beyond 30 then diminishing slightly.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
2 Smallmouth Bass |
|
13 Drum |
|
1 Shad |
|
1 White Bass |
|
5 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits.
|
All fish were released.
|
I fished the
warmer water and did ok. I was expecting more bass but
they were nowhere to be found today. Everything was
caught on the same lure. I took several pictures of
a Pelican that was feasting
on shad.
Pictures from today!
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|
5.
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2/17/2003
Powerton Lake
Manito, IL
|
Cloudy with flurries - Air Temp was in the mid 20s
rising to the upper 20s with a Northwest West wind between
5 and 10 mph.
Water temps were in the high 50s at the buoy line,
and in the mid 40s in the center section of the lake.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
4 Smallmouth Bass |
|
4 Drum |
| Partner: |
4 Smallmouth Bass |
|
5 Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits.
|
All fish were released.
|
We took my boat
to the lake a couple days after a bad snow storm. I
was glad I brought shovels and salt for the ramp. Fishing
was slow in the part of the lake that was open to boats
so we parked for a little while and walked the
hot side of the lake. Both of us caught a few fish over
there and then it was back to the main lake. My
last fish of the day was a good
one.
Pictures from today!
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|
6.
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2/27/2003
Illinois River
Ottawa, IL
|
Bright Sunshine - Air Temp in the upper teens rising
to the mid 30s with a Northeast wind 5-10mph.
Water temp was 39.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
7 Sauger |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Vertical Jigging with a fathead and stinger
hook. The jig/minnow combo was lowered straight
down to the bottom then raised 2 to 4 inches
every few seconds. Proper boat control was
important in the wind and current in order
to keep the line vertical.
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing was slow.
I caught a couple decent fish but the overall size was
smaller than usual. I saw a few Bald Eagles in
the area where I was fishing today.
Pictures from today!
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|
7.
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3/04/2003
Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area
Braidwood, IL
|
Cloudy with light sleet - Air Temp in the mid 30s
with a Northeast wind 5-10mph. A major Snowstorm
hit later that afternoon.
Water temp was 55 to 75.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
3 Largemouth Bass |
|
15 Channel Catfish |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
With a limited
amount of time, my plan was to hit a few familiar spots
and then run on to the next spot if no fish were caught
right away. Even though the fish weren't big today,
it turned out to be a good plan because I caught quite
a few. Next time I'll concentrate on finding the bigger
fish.
Pictures from today!
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|
8.
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3/07/2003
Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area
Braidwood, IL
|
Mostly Cloudy. Air Temp in the mid 30s with
a 15mph Southeast wind with higher gusts. There were
light flurries for a few minutes at one point.
Water temp was 55 to 65.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
3 Largemouth Bass |
|
3 Channel Catfish |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Jigs, Spinners
|
All fish were released.
|
I spent 3 hours
on the water trying for bigger fish and I caught 3 bass
that were fairly nice compared to the ones I caught
during the last trip. The bigger fish were in deeper
water today.
Pictures from today!
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|
9.
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3/20/2003
LaSalle Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Marseilles, IL
|
Mostly Cloudy with intermittent rain and a
thunderstorm. Air Temp in
the mid 60s with variable winds around 10mph. The wind
started out of the southeast, switched to the south,
then switched from west to northwest and finally out
of the northeast after the storm passed.
Water temp was 83 to 57.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
8 Largemouth Bass |
|
31 Smallmouth Bass |
|
3 Yellow Bass |
|
5 Channel Catfish |
|
1 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
1 Bluegill |
|
1 Drum |
| Partner: |
16 Smallmouth Bass |
| |
8 Largemouth Bass |
|
1 Channel Catfish |
|
1 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Spinners
|
All fish were released.
|
I arrived at
the lake a few hours before my partner which is
why I caught more fish. Both of us hooked at least one
large fish and lost them at the boat. Mine was a Hybrid
and my partners was a nice Smallmouth. A
few of the fish were decent but there were no lunkers
landed today. I was surprised to see how many people
were foolish enough to brave the thunderstorm
out on the lake. We docked the boat and took cover until
the lightning was a safe distance away. Others stayed
out which is very dangerous. Besides the lightning
that was present, wind can make that lake very
dangerous in an instant.
Pictures from today!
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|
10.
|
3/31/2003
Cook County Forest Preserve Pond
Cook County, IL
|
Sunny. Southwest wind around 10mph. Air temps in
the upper 30s and rising.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
0 |
| Partner: |
? |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Spinners
|
All fish were released.
|
I met a friend at the pond this morning with the
hope of catching a bass or two. I got called to work
so I was only able to fish about 30 minutes before I
had to leave to run some errands before going to work.
I never had a hit but my friend hooked into something
decent that he wasn't able to land. He stayed behind
when I hit the road so hopefully he caught something.
|
|
11.
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4/17/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy with rain and drizzle. Northeast wind around
20mph with higher gusts. Air temps in the upper 40s.
Water temp was 56.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
4 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
2 Walleye |
|
2 Drum |
|
2 Smallmouth Bass |
|
3 Yellow Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
It was a rough day on the lake but well worth it.
I knew the weather wasn't going to be good but I don't
know when I'll get out again.
All the fish except for the walleyes were decent.
That includes a Hybrid that
was just over 24 inches. The fish seemed to be scattered
because I didn't catch more than one in any one spot.
Pictures from today!
|
|
12.
|
4/20/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy with drizzle then partly cloudy. Southwest
wind around 25mph with higher gusts. Air temps in the
upper 60s.
Water temp was 57 to 58.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
2 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
2 Drum |
|
1 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Buffalo |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Today was the roughest day I've experienced on that
lake as far as wind goes. Going under the bridge was
probably not a good idea. I caught 6 fish in a little
less than 3 hours.
Pictures from today!
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|
13.
|
5/07/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy with morning rain then partly cloudy with
thunder later in the afternoon. Southeast wind around
10mph. Air temps in the upper 60s.
Water temp was 61 to 66.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Channel Catfish |
|
4 Yellow Bass |
|
1 Shad |
|
2 Walleye |
|
1 Buffalo |
|
1 White Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing was kind of slow. Although I caught several
fish, most were caught within a 2 hour time period.
The carp and buffalo were up in the rocks and they were
everywhere. Tossing the lure into the slime that is
developing along the shoreline produced the most fish.
Most of the fish I caught today were all good size fish
including a 13 pound Catfish and a 19 inch Smallmouth.
Pictures from today!
|
|
14.
|
5/14/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy with rain. North wind calm then shifting to
the east and increasing to around 15mph. Air temps in
the mid 50s.
Water temp was 62 to 64.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
3 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Walleye |
|
3 Yellow Bass |
|
1 Shad |
|
3 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
1 Freshwater Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing in the rain is ok as long as you're catching
fish. Today I caught a few very big fish including a
28 inch walleye, a 26.5 inch Striper, and an 18 inch
Smallmouth.
Pictures from today!
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|
15.
|
5/17/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Mostly Sunny. Northeast wind around 10mph. Air temps
in the mid 70s.
Water temp was 62 to 64.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
2 Smallmouth Bass |
|
2 Walleye |
|
12 Yellow Bass |
|
1 Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
3 Freshwater Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I caught a lot of fish in one area today. The two
walleye were nice fish as were a few of the yellow bass,
but no giants today.
|
|
16.
|
5/20/2003
Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area
Braidwood, IL
|
Sunny - Air Temp in the mid 60s with a Northeast
wind around 20mph.
Water temp was 76 to 88.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
1 Largemouth Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I went to Heidecke
only to find that it was closed due to high winds. I
called the park office at Braidwood and was informed
that they were open. I got out just long enough to catch
one nice Largemouth before I was asked to leave - along
with everyone else - because they were closing the park
due to the terrorism alert being raised to Orange.
Pictures from today!
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|
17.
|
5/30/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy. Variable winds SE, S, & SW from calm to 10
mph with intermittent light rain showers. Air temp was
in the upper 60s
Water temp was 64 to 66.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
2 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
1 Walleye |
|
2 Yellow Bass |
|
3 Smallmouth Bass |
|
7 Freshwater Drum |
|
3 White Bass |
|
1 Bluegill |
| Partner: |
2 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
1 White Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Top-waters
|
All fish were released.
|
The fish were cooperating today. My partners determination
to catch something on a top-water paid off with a beautiful
Striper. I had trouble figuring out which fish were
Stripers and which were large White Bass at one point
and hopefully I got them all identified correctly. I
went out for a little while after I dropped my partner
off but the fishing was much slower.
Pictures from today!
|
|
18.
|
6/02/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Sunny early then Cloudy. Variable winds SE, S, &
SW from calm to 8 mph. Air temp was in the upper 60s
Water temp was 64 to 66.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Shad |
|
4 Smallmouth Bass |
|
4 Yellow Bass |
|
5 Freshwater Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I think the bright sunshine early kept the fish from
moving into their usual morning spots. Once the clouds
rolled in the fishing seemed to pick up a little.
Pictures from today!
|
|
19.
|
6/06/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy then rain. Winds calm then South around 5mph
briefly gusting past 15mph during the heavier rain.
Air temps in the upper 60s falling to the upper 50s
during the heavier rain, then rising again.
Water temp was 66 to 69.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
2 Smallmouth Bass |
|
2 Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
3 Yellow Bass |
|
2 Freshwater Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I didn't do too bad for the time I was out there.
I should have stuck it out in the rain because the rain
died down to a slight drizzle and the winds stopped
blowing after I left.
Pictures from today!
|
|
20.
|
6/16/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Mostly Sunny. Air temps in the low 70s with a light
northeast breeze the picked up briefly long after I
was gone.
Water temp was 68 to 71.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
Nothing |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
|
It was bound to happen sooner or later. I got to
the lake and launched the boat. It looked like a beautiful
morning for fishing too. Once I got to the area where
I wanted to start fishing I put the trolling motor in
the water only to find I had power but no propulsion
or steering. After taking the motor apart without success
I trolled for a couple minutes with the outboard then
decided to go buy a new trolling motor.
|
|
21.
|
6/23/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Sunny. Winds out of the S/SW around 15 mph. Air temp
was in the upper 80s
Water temp was 73 to 79.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Channel Catfish |
|
1 Walleye |
|
2 Yellow Bass |
|
7 Smallmouth Bass |
|
5 Freshwater Drum |
| Partner: |
17 Freshwater Drum |
|
1 Yellow Bass |
|
3 Smallmouth Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
It was a good day to be out on the lake if you remembered
your sun block (we did). My partner caught several Drum
that just seemed to get bigger and bigger with each
fish. One of the Smallmouth he caught was also a good
fish. I caught several fish including a couple
good Smallmouth, a big walleye, and a big Channel Catfish.
Pictures from today!
|
|
22.
|
6/30/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Sunny. Winds calm. Air temp was in the upper 80s.
Water temp was 76 to 84.
Still no current at the bridge.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Channel Catfish |
|
1 Largemouth Bass |
|
1 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
6 Smallmouth Bass |
|
22 Freshwater Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
The drum were everywhere today. The biggest one I
caught was 12 pounds and the smallest was just under
a pound. The Smallmouth were all nice fish but the Largemouth
was very small. I lost one other real good Smallmouth
at the boat while fumbling for the net. The algae bloom
reduced the water clarity and the carp were up in the
rocks again.
Pictures from today!
|
|
23.
|
7/11/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Mostly Sunny. Winds variable from the west around
17mph gusting to 30mph. Air temp was in the upper 70s.
There was a severe thunderstorm with pea size hail as
we left the lake.
Water temp was 74 to 79.
Still no current at the bridge but there was smoke
coming from the plant off and on.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Green Sunfish |
|
9 Freshwater Drum |
| Partner: |
0 |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, tubes, and spinners
|
All fish were released.
|
The fish weren't
cooperating today. It was cloudy with storms all week
until today's sunshine and high wind. I lost what would
have been the only bass of the day on the third attempt
to net it. It was a nice Smallmouth. I also had a large
snapping turtle hit a crank bait. Luckily he was an
easy release and wasn't injured. Fishing was very tough
in the wind.
Pictures from today!
|
|
24.
|
7/14/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Mostly Sunny. Winds variable from the South around
10mph. Air temp was in the upper 80s.
Water temp was 78 to 82.
There was smoke from the plant on and off and a trail
of foam at the bridge to indicate current. I did not
see any current though..
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Smallmouth Bass |
|
8 Freshwater Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
There were a
lot more bait fish visible today. This usually indicates
that bass fishing along the rocks will slow down, and
that striper fishing should pick up if you can find
the schools.
Pictures from today!
|
|
25.
|
7/21/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Mostly Sunny. Winds variable from the West around
10mph. Air temp was in the upper 80s.
Water temp was 78 to 83.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
2 Smallmouth Bass |
|
2 Freshwater Drum |
| Partner: |
2 Smallmouth Bass |
|
2 Freshwater Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Same story different
day. Bright sunny day then rain as it was time to go.
We were able to catch a few bass in and amongst the
zillions of baitfish that are schooled along the banks. |
|
26.
|
7/23/2003
Busse Lake
Elk Grove Village, IL
|
Mostly Sunny. Winds from the Northeast increasing
to 15mph. Air temp was in the upper 70s.
Water temp was 75.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Walleye |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Spinners
|
All fish were released.
|
The water was
still high and very murky due to the recent rains. All
the spots that are usually good for a bass or two didn't
seem to hold fish today. I caught a small walleye on
a crank bait with a rattle and I saw a few small fish
caught by bank fishermen on live bait. Also, I watched
fish being stocked into the lake today. I was also told
that fish were also stocked last week by another fisherman. |
|
27.
|
7/28/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Rain then Mostly Sunny. Winds 5 mph from the Northeast.
Air temp was in the upper 70s.
Water temp was 70 to 78. Most of the lake was closer
to 77 but there were pockets of cooler water at the
surface due to the recent heavy rains.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
2 Smallmouth Bass |
|
3 Freshwater Drum |
|
2 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
3 Bluegills |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Blade Baits, Spinners
|
All fish were released.
|
This trip made
up for the last couple. I caught a 27 inch Striper on
my first cast and a slightly smaller one a little later.
The lake is covered with tiny shad that have recently
hatched. I also caught real nice Smallmouth, a tiny
Smallmouth, and lost two others. The Bluegills were
very aggressive today.
Pictures from today!
|
|
28.
|
8/05/2003
LaSalle Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Marseilles, IL
|
Mostly Sunny with light variable winds.
Water temp was 86 to 101.2. There was no water cooler
than 93 degrees when I left.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Largemouth Bass |
|
5 Smallmouth Bass |
|
5 Channel Catfish |
|
1 Shad |
|
1 Bluegill |
|
8 Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Blade Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
No big fish this
trip except for 2 of the Drum and the gnats were ferocious
today. There were a lot of carp, catfish, and buffalo
sucking air at the surface. I also noticed a lot of
tiny bass trying to hit the lures I was throwing even
though some of the lures were bigger than them. The
smaller fish still seem pretty aggressive. |
|
29.
|
8/13/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Mostly Sunny with northeast winds around 10mph.
Water temp was 66 to 80. Most of the water was 78
and there was current at the bridge.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
3 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Bluegill |
|
4 Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I caught a few
nice Smallmouth today but overall fishing was slow.
There were some bait fish visible but not nearly as
many as last time. They also looked as if they were
shaped like minnows and not shad.
Pictures from today!
|
|
30.
|
8/25/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Mostly Sunny with variable winds early then south
increasing to around 10mph. The air temp was between
95 and 100 at it's warmest point.
Water temp was 80 to 88.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
4 Smallmouth Bass |
|
3 Bluegill |
|
8 Drum |
|
1 Channel Catfish |
|
1 Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
The bugs were
ferocious until the wind picked up. It seemed like the
fish were hitting a little better too for a while until
about 1:30 then it slowed down. I had the entire lake
to myself in the afternoon. There wasn't another car
in the lot when I left. I think the heat chased everyone
home.
Pictures from today!
|
|
31.
|
9/02/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy with mist early then mostly sunny, then cloudy
again late. Winds were from the Northeast 5 to 10mph
and the air temp was in the mid 70s.
Water temp was 76.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
4 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Bluegill |
|
13 Drum |
|
1 Largemouth Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
The lake is still
covered with bait fish. I didn't catch anything
other than 1 drum while the sun was shining brightly.
Pictures from today!
|
|
32.
|
9/08/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Hazy sunshine with air temps in the upper 80s. There
was an almost undetectable south wind for a while, otherwise
calm.
Water temp was 74 to 80.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Bluegill |
|
1 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
3 Smallmouth Bass |
|
3 Freshwater Drum |
|
1 Largemouth Bass |
| Partner: |
4 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Walleye |
|
1 Channel Catfish |
|
1 Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Spinners
|
All fish were released
|
There seemed to be even more baitfish today. We saw
several different species of game fish feeding on them.
We were able to catch 8 different species of fish but
nothing really big, although a couple of the fish we
caught were fairly decent. I also got a nice photo
of a Green Heron
Pictures from today!
|
|
33.
|
9/11/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Bright sunshine with air temps in the upper 80s.
Southeast wind around 15mph.
Water temp was 73 to 80.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
1 Largemouth Bass |
|
3 Smallmouth Bass |
|
5 Freshwater Drum |
|
1 Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released
|
Fishing was very slow today. At least the wind kept
the bugs down. I hooked and lost one huge Largemouth
and then lost a tiny Smallmouth two casts later in the
same spot. I kept alternating several crank baits but
it didn't seem to help.
Pictures from today!
|
|
34.
|
9/17/2003
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Bright Sunshine - Air Temp in the mid 80s with a
Southwest wind around 15mph.
Water temp was 76.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
1 Walleye |
|
8 Drum |
|
2 Carp |
|
2 Largemouth Bass |
|
5 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
2 White Bass |
| Partner: |
3 Channel Catfish |
|
3 Drum |
|
1 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Carp |
|
1 White Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Vertical Jigging, crank and blade baits
|
All fish were released.
|
This was the
first time I had tried River fishing other than vertical
jigging. It was a great trip. We found fish in several
locations and were able to catch them on a variety of
baits.
Pictures from today!
|
|
35.
|
9/22/2003
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Cloudy with rain early - Air Temp in the low 70s
with a west wind around 15mph.
Water temp was 75.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
1 Sauger |
|
8 Drum |
|
1 Channel Catfish |
|
5 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 River Redhorse?? |
|
1 Goldeye?? |
|
1 White Bass |
| Partner: |
1 Channel Catfish |
|
4 Drum |
|
3 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Largemouth Bass |
|
1 Walleye |
|
1 Sauger |
|
1 Carp |
|
1 White Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank and Blade baits
|
All fish were released.
|
After last weeks
trip, we had to return and try it again. This time we
caught a wider variety of species although the overall
size was smaller. I also caught two new species, one
was a Goldeye?? and the other
I have yet to identify(River
Redhorse??). At one point we saw a flock of wild
turkeys on the bank of the river. I later found out
the hard way I needed a new trolling motor battery.
After 6 years I guess it was about time.
Pictures from today!
|
|
36.
|
9/26/2003
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Cloudy with rain and thunder - Air Temp in the low
60s with a southwest wind around 10mph, but variable
at times.
Water temp was 70.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
2 Shad |
|
4 Drum |
|
1 Channel Catfish |
|
6 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Largemouth Bass |
|
1 Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
1 White Bass |
|
1 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank and Blade baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Got out a little
before the rain started and found the fish right away.
Once the rain started I continued to catch them. I even
had a 3 foot Spotted Gar take a swipe at the crank bait
right next to the boat. Once the thunder started I headed
back even though I would have loved to have stayed out
a while longer.
Pictures from today!
|
|
37.
|
9/29/2003
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Sunny - Air Temp in the upper 50s with a West wind
around 15mph.
Water temp was 68.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
16 White Bass |
|
7 Drum |
|
8 Smallmouth Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Didn't get the
variety today but I got the quantity. I caught more
White Bass today than I did all year.
Pictures from today!
|
|
38.
|
10/10/2003
Heidecke Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Morris, IL
|
Hazy sunshine with air temps rising to the mid 80s.
The water was dead calm until a southeast breeze kicked
up around 5mph later in the day.
Water temp was 58 to 62.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
2 Freshwater Drum |
|
4 Smallmouth Bass |
| Partner: |
5 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Surface Baits
|
All fish were released
|
The bright sunshine, lack of wind, and the over abundance
of newly hatched shad made fishing a little slower that
we would have liked. We can't complain though because
my partner caught a beautiful 19.5 inch Smallmouth.
Pictures from today!
|
|
39.
|
10/15/2003
LaSalle Lake State Fish
and Wildlife Area
Marseilles, IL
|
Bright Sunshine with no clouds anywhere. NW wind
around 15 diminishing to around 10 with higher gusts.
Water temp was 68 when I launched and 87 when I swung
past the discharge.
|
|
Results
|
| Me: |
2 Largemouth Bass |
|
5 Smallmouth Bass |
|
10 Channel Catfish |
|
1 White Bass |
|
1 Yellow Bass |
|
4 Drum |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Blade Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I hooked 3 fish
on the first 5 casts and got two of them in the boat.
A Drum tried to grab the lure at the boat on cast #6
but he missed. After that it slowed. Unlike the last
time I was there, I couldn't buy a strike on the blades
along the bank. They wanted cranks today. The higher
the sun rose, the slower the fishing became until I
started fishing deep with blade baits. Once I did that
I started catching fish again, but they were all small.
Pictures from today!
|
|
40.
|
10/21/2003
Powerton Lake
Manito, IL
|
Mostly Cloudy - Air Temp in the high 60s with a Northwest
wind around 15 mph.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
11 Smallmouth Bass |
|
2 Drum |
|
2 Channel Catfish |
|
1 White Bass |
|
2 Carp |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Blade Baits.
|
All fish were released.
|
I would say I
was sorry I spent so much time trying the main lake
except that I caught a couple good Smallmouth. Once
I switched the the intake canal the fishing improved.
I caught a lot of fish including the largest carp I've
ever seen. All but 4 of the fish I caught were nice
fish.
Pictures from today!
|
|
41.
|
10/24/2003
Lake Michigan Indiana
|
Mostly Sunny - Air Temp in the high 50s with a Southwest
wind around 20 mph. Rain approaching.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
3 Gobies |
| Partner: |
3 Gobies |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Blade Baits, Spoons, Plastics.
|
All fish were released.
|
The Lake Trout
were around but we couldn't catch them despite a few
hits. The Gobies were aggressive though. |
|
42.
|
10/29/2003
Lake Michigan Indiana
|
Cloudy with Rain - Air Temp in the high 40s with
a Southwest wind around 20 mph. Warm front approaching
and the wind was shifting to the southeast.
Water Temp was 55.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
1
Lake Trout |
| Partner: |
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Blade Baits, Spoons, Plastics,
Spinners.
|
All fish were released.
|
Despite the fact
that the winds were out of the west most of the day
and the lake was fairly rough, I caught my first
Lake Trout. As the wind
shifted more out of the south, the lake calmed a little
but it didn't help us. |
|
43.
|
11/05/2003
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Cloudy - Air Temp in the low 40s with a Northwest
wind around 10mph.
Water temp was 59.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
2 Longnose Gar |
|
1 White Bass |
| Partner: |
3 Longnose Gar |
|
2 Drum |
|
1 Smallmouth Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Vertical Jigging, crank and blade baits,
plastics.
|
All fish were released.
|
After a couple
days worth of rain, the river was running high and fast.
We were able to get into an area that would otherwise
be foolish to try to navigate. Very tough fishing in
the fast current.
Pictures from today: 1
2
|
|
44.
|
11/08/2003
11/09/2003
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
|
Cloudy - Air Temp in the low 40s to the mid 50s.
Wind direction varied around 10mph.
Water temp was 62.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
18 Largemouth Bass |
|
1 White Bass |
|
1 Hybrid Striped
Bass |
|
2 Crappie |
|
1 Channel Catfish |
|
1 Drum |
|
4 Spotted Bass |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank and Blade baits, Plastics.
|
All fish were released.
|
This lake was
very different from any other lake I've fished. It's
deep with rocky bluffs, no vegetation, and has docks
and piers everywhere. Thanks to my host (who caught
the first fish), I got off on the right track and was
able to find and catch quite a few fish in the short
time I had there.
Pictures from today!
|
|
45.
|
11/20/2003
Lake Michigan Indiana
|
Bright Sunshine - Air Temp in the high 50s
with a Southwest wind gusting beyond 26mph.
Water Temp was 50.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
3 Gobies |
| Partner: |
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Blade Baits, Spoons, Plastics,
Spinners.
|
All fish were released.
|
Too Windy! Boat
control was impossible which made it tough to fish. |
|
46.
|
11/26/2003
A Creek in Indiana
|
Mostly Sunny - Air Temp in the high 40s with
a South wind around 5mph.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
23 Steelhead |
| Partner: |
24 Steelhead |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Wax Worms, Spinners.
|
All fish were released.
|
Most of the fish
we caught were very small. I caught one keeper and dropped
it before I could take a picture, but my friend
caught a few very nice fish.
Pictures from today!
|
|
47.
|
12/04/2003
A Creek in Indiana
|
Cloudy - Air Temp in the mid 30s with an East
wind around 10mph. Snowstorm approaching.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
21 Steelhead |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Worms, Wax Worms, Spinners.
|
All fish were released.
|
I caught one
good fish today and 20 small ones. After I caught the
big one I called it a day so that I could avoid driving
back in the snowstorm. The same heron was in the same
spot begging for fish again. While walking the creek
I met an employee of the Indiana DNR Fish and Wildlife
who gave me some helpful information.
Pictures from today: 1
2
|
|
48.
|
12/22/2003
Powerton Lake
Manito, IL
|
Mostly Cloudy then Rain - Air Temp in the mid 40s
with a west wind around 5 mph shifting to northwest
and increasing.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
9 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Blade Baits.
|
All fish were released.
|
The action was
a little slower than I expected. I caught a couple decent
fish but I really had to work for them.
Pictures from today!
|
|
49.
|
12/29/2003
Powerton Lake
Manito, IL
|
Mostly Cloudy then Bright Sunshine, then flurries
late - Air Temp in the low to mid 40s with a west wind
around 20 mph.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
4 Smallmouth Bass |
|
1 Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Blade Baits.
|
All fish were released.
|
The action was
slow. The lake is still very warm for this time of the
year.
Pictures from today!
|
|
50.
|
12/30/2003
A Creek in Indiana
|
Bright Sunshine - Air Temp in the upper 30s
with a Northwest wind around 10mph.
|
|
Results
|
| Me : |
15 Steelhead |
|
2 White Suckers |
| Partner: |
10 Steelhead |
|
Techniques:
|
|
Worms, Wax Worms
|
All fish were released.
|
All the fish
we caught were small. I hooked one big Steelhead but
lost him in some timber. I also caught two White Suckers.
Pictures from today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
