| 1. |
1/01/2005
Illinois River
Ottawa, IL
|
Cloudy with intermittent light
drizzle then steady moderate rain. Air temps in the
mid 30s The wind was out of the East-Northeast around
15mph.
Water temp was 39.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
5 Sauger
|
|
1 White Bass
|
|
Partner:
|
2 Sauger
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Vertical Jigging.
|
|
It was a little colder and windier
than forecast but it was nice to get a few hours of
time in on the river. None of the fish we caught today
were monsters but we both had at least one nice one. |
| 2. |
1/11/2005
Lake Michigan
Indiana
|
Cloudy with intermittent light
drizzle. Air temps in the upper 30s The wind was out
of the East-Northeast less than 10mph.
Water temp was 35.
|
|
It was a little rougher out
there than I expected. Fishing wasn't going to be safe
so I rode around for a little while until the wind shifted
enough so I could troll. I had one good bump on a crank
bait but that was it. |
| 3. |
1/13/2005
Powerton Lake
Tazewell County, IL
|
Cloudy with moderate to heavy
snow. Air temps around freezing and falling. Northwest
wind between 15 and 10 mph. |
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
1 Channel Catfish
|
|
Work was cancelled for the day
so I took advantage of that and decided to find some
open water. I knew the weather wasn't going to be good
when I left and the conditions turned out to be some
of the worst I've encountered while fishing. I caught
3 fish and then decided it probably wasn't a good idea
to be out there with soaking wet clothes, fogged up
glasses, falling temps, and all that wind. Travel conditions
on the way back were very hazardous and I saw several
cars off the road and in ditches.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 4. |
2/15/2005
Powerton Lake
Tazewell County, IL
|
Rain early then mostly sunny.
Air temps around 60 by noon then falling with rain and
thunder later as a cold front moved in. Variable Northeast
winds between 5 and 15 mph. Water temp was 56 to 70
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
3 White Bass
|
|
|
3 Catfish
|
|
|
5 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
8 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
Partner:
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
2 Catfish
|
|
|
8 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
Today was opening day for boats
and I think the weather forecast scared a lot of folks
away. I was lucky enough to be first in line and my
partner and I had a great (although short) day. We caught
fish at a pretty regular pace and most of them were
nice fish.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 5. |
3/03/2005
Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area
Braidwood, IL
|
Bright Sunshine. West-Southwest
wind around 5 mph. Air temp in the mid 30s. Water
temp was 54 to 74
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
3 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Shad
|
|
|
3 Catfish
|
|
Yesterday was opening day fat
this lake. I was able to get out for a couple hours
today before closing time and did ok. I also hooked
and lost a big carp when it jumped, and snagged several
small shad. Pictures from Today!
|
| 6. |
3/08/2005
Powerton Lake
Tazewell County, IL
|
Bright Sunshine. Air temps in
the upper 20s and low 30s. Variable Northwest winds
between 10 and 20 mph. Water temp was 56 to 76
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
3 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 White Bass
|
|
|
9 Catfish
|
|
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
2 Smallmouth Buffalo
|
|
|
1 Shad
|
|
Cold, windy and bright sunshine
had the fish going in slow motion today.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 7. |
3/15/2005
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Bright Sunshine, Air temp in
the upper 30s. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Water temp was 42.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Walleye
|
|
7 Sauger
|
|
1 Smallmouth Buffalo
|
|
Partner:
|
1 Walleye
|
|
|
6 Sauger
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Vertical Jigging.
|
All fish were released.
|
I was out there for 2 hours
before my partner was able to join me. The fish weren't
the biggest, but we caught quite a few in a short period
of time. Pictures from Today!
|
| 8. |
3/20/2005
LaSalle Lake
Marseilles, IL
|
Bright Sunshine, Air temp in
the upper 30s. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Water temp was 51 to 77.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
17 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
9 Catfish
|
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
Partner:
|
5 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
Partner:
|
10 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
|
2 Yellow Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Jigs, and other lures
|
All fish were released.
|
After a slow start we ran into
a nice school of Stripers and were able to stay with
them for quite a while before they shut off.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 9. |
3/27/2005
LaSalle Lake
Marseilles, IL
|
Thick Fog then Bright Sunshine,
Air temp climbing into the mid 40s. Northeast wind between
5 and 15 mph. Water temp was 61 to 87.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
5 Catfish
|
|
3 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
1 Bluegill
|
|
Partner:
|
1 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
|
1 Drum
|
|
|
2 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
Partner:
|
1 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
|
3 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Jigs, and other lures
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing was pretty slow all
day. We caught a fish here and there and all 3 of us
caught at least 1 nice one.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 10. |
4/01/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Clouds then moderate to heavy
rain. Southeast wind around 5 mph shifting from the
north to 25 mph with higher gusts. Water temp was
50.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
2 Muskellunge
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I wasn't out there very long
before the rain and wind chased me off. I was able to
catch 3 nice fish and lose a 4th in that time though.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 11. |
4/02/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Bright Sunshine, North wind
around 17 mph. Water temp was 49.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
What a difference a day makes!
I fished for quite a while today and only hooked two
fish. Both were good fish but only one of them made
it into the boat. It turned out to be about a 4 lb Smallmouth. |
| 12. |
4/07/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy, North wind around 25
mph. Air temp in the mid 40s. Water temp was 55.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
6 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
|
1 Musky
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I wound up catching my biggest
fish yet from this lake - a 43 inch Musky. The Stripers
were on the small side as was the Smallmouth, but the
Largemouth was a better fish. Very choppy out there
today. I wish I would have had more time but after two
hours I had to hit the road.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 13. |
4/09/2005
Lake Michigan
Indiana
|
Mostly Sunny. East-Southeast
wind less than 15mph and decreasing.
Water temp was 47.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Shad
|
|
Partner :
|
|
|
We fished from dusk to just
after midnight. Interesting look at the bottom using
the underwater camera. We saw fish come up but we just
couldn't catch them. |
| 14. |
4/15/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Bright sunshine, East Southeast
wind around 5 mph. Air temp in the mid 60s. Water
temp was 55 to 57.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Walleye
|
|
|
1 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing was slow. I caught 3
nice fish and lost two more during the time I was there.
For a while it looked like the controlled burn got out
of control and a large part of the adjacent prairie
turned into a raging inferno for a short time.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 15. |
4/18/2005
LaSalle Lake
Marseilles, IL
|
Bright Sunshine, Air temp climbing
into the mid 80s. SSW wind between 10 and 20 mph.
Water temp was 76 to 92.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Largemouth Bass
|
|
9 Catfish
|
|
3 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
1 Carp
|
|
Partner:
|
2 Bluegills
|
|
|
2 Shad
|
|
|
4 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
6 Catfish
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Jigs, and other lures
|
All fish were released.
|
We covered a lot of water and
picked up a fish here and there. I got two nice Largemouth
and my partner got two surprise Bluegills on crank baits.
I even had a carp chase down a crank bait which doesn't
happen very often. Other than that we caught a lot of
small fish today. Pictures
from Today!
|
| 16. |
4/21/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy, NNE wind around 10 gusting
beyond 15 mph. Air temp in the low 60s. Water temp
was 60.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Yellow Bass
|
|
|
2 Muskies
|
|
|
2 Carp
|
|
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Tubes
|
All fish were released.
|
I went without a fish for the
first two hours. After that it picked up and I caught
a few real nice fish including a big Carp with a deformed
back, a big Yellow Bass, and a couple of Muskies..
Pictures from Today!
|
| 17. |
4/26/2005
LaSalle Lake
Marseilles, IL
|
Mostly Sunny. Air temp in the
mid 50s. WSW wind between 15 and 20 mph. Water temp
was 66 to 83
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
2 Catfish
|
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Jigs, and other lures
|
All fish were released.
|
Today was a slow day. I tried
several different spots including open water away from
the bank. The Largemouth and Drum were nice fish but
the others were on the small side. |
| 18. |
5/06/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Partly Cloudy, SW wind around
10 gusting beyond 15 mph. Air temp in the low 70s.
Water temp was 53-55.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Yellow Bass
|
|
|
2 Walleye
|
|
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Very short but productive trip.
I caught some nice fish and lost a few more. Lots of
boats out today. Pictures from
Today!
|
| 19. |
5/12/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Clouds and light rain. ENE wind
around 25 gusting much higher. Air temp in the low 50s.
Water temp was 60-62.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
2 Walleye
|
|
|
2 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Another fairly short but productive
trip. I caught an 18.7 lb Striper despite the wind and
the rain. Also caught a smaller but still nice one.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 20. |
5/26/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Clouds and very intermittent
drizzle then bright sunshine. NNW wind around 15 gusting
higher. Air temp in the low 70s. Water temp was 66-67.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
9 Yellow Bass
|
|
|
17 White Bass
|
|
|
22 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
This was the best morning I've
ever had at this lake. Pictures
from Today!
|
| 21. |
6/01/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Bright sunshine. NE wind around
5 increasing to around 10mph. Air temp in the low 80s.
Water temp was 70.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
3 Yellow Bass
|
|
|
7 White Bass
|
|
|
13 Hybrid Striped Bass
|
|
|
1 Walleye
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I spent an hour more on the
lake this morning and caught half the number of fish
I caught last week. It was still a great morning. I
caught several very nice fish. The carp are almost done
spawning. As soon as they are, things should slow down
a little. Pictures from Today!
|
| 22. |
6/07/2005
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Bright sunshine. SW wind around
10 increasing to around 15 mph. Air temp in the upper
90s. Water temp was 80.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
3 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
3 Gar
|
|
|
7 Walleye
|
|
|
4 White Bass
|
|
Partner:
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
2 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
1 White Bass
|
|
|
1 Gar
|
|
|
2 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
It was a very hot and humid
day so we kept moving to catch the breeze. We caught
quite a few fish today due to the fact that we tried
several different things in several different places.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 23. |
6/21/2005
Monee Reservoir
Will County, IL
|
Bright sunshine. SW wind around
10 increasing to around 15 mph. Air temp in the upper
90s. |
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
13 Largemouth Bass
|
|
Partner:
|
3 Largemouth Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
It was a very hot and humid
day. My partner joined me after I had been out for several
hours. I had caught several smaller fish but luckily
we found the big ones and caught several of those before
we had to turn in the rental boat.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 24. |
6/22/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Bright sunshine. NE wind around
5 increasing to around 10 mph. Air temp in the upper
80s. Water temp was 77.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
6 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Walleye
|
|
|
5 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
1 Bluegill
|
|
Partner:
|
3 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
2 Freshwater Drum
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Plastics
|
All fish were released.
|
Another very sunny day although
a weak cold front came through last night. Fishing was
much slower than in past weeks and the water level was
much lower. We saw a vehicle slide backwards and wind
up deep in the water at the boat ramps. Luckily no one
was hurt. Pictures from Today!
|
|
25.
|
6/27/2005
Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area
Braceville, IL
|
Bright Sunshine with calm variable winds. Air temp
was around 95. Very humid.
Water temp was 84
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
1 Bluegill
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Spinners, top water,
Plastics, etc..
|
All fish were released.
|
I spent a couple hours fishing a lake I've only been
to once before and only caught 2 small fish.
|
| 26. |
7/1/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Bright sunshine. NW wind around
15 mph. Air temp in the upper 70s. Water temp was
81.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Carp
|
|
|
1 Channel Catfish
|
|
|
1 Bluegill
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Plastics
|
All fish were released.
|
Similar post cold front conditions
as last time. There were fish around but they weren't
in feeding mode so it took some work to get the ones
I caught to hit. The water was a little cloudier than
last time too. |
| 27. |
7/07/2005
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Bright sunshine. NE wind around
10. Air temp in the mid 80s. |
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
6 Sauger
|
|
|
2 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
5 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
2 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
2 Walleye
|
|
Partner:
|
1 White Bass
|
|
|
3 Walleye
|
|
|
2 Sauger
|
|
|
3 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
2 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
2 Freshwater Drum
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
We didn't catch many big fish
but it was more than enough to be fun despite the fact
I wound up in the water.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 28. |
7/17/2005
Monee Reservoir
Will County, IL
|
Bright sunshine. SW wind around
10, Air temp in the upper 90s. |
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
4 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Warmouth
|
|
Partner:
|
4 Largemouth Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits and Plastics
|
All fish were released.
|
It was another very hot and
humid day. We got there early and caught a few nice
fish before the heat really set in.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 29. |
7/27/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Bright sunshine. N/NE wind around
10 mph. Air temp in the upper 70s. Water temp was
81.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
6 Carp
|
|
|
1 Musky
|
|
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Today was 30 degrees cooler
than the previous day so I wasn't expecting the fish
to be very active. I caught a nice Musky on the first
cast and then snagged several carp. I also got a couple
more smaller fish. Pictures
from Today!
|
| 30. |
7/31/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
Des Plaines Conservation Area
Will County, IL
|
Bright sunshine. S/SW wind around
10 mph. Air temp in the mid 90s. Water temp was 80
@ Heidecke and 83 at the DPCA.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Shad
|
|
|
3 Freshwater Drum
|
|
Partner
|
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Both places were full of people
but we caught a couple fish anyway. Wildlife viewing
was good even though there were people everywhere. This
was the first time fishing the DPCA.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 31. |
8/03/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Mostly Cloudy with late drizzle.
S/SW wind around 10 mph. Air temp in the lower 90s.
Water temp was 82 to 85
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
5 Channel Catfish
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I saw Catfish chasing Shad on
the surface. Landed 4 nice ones and a smaller one.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 32 |
8/11/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy with light rain in the
area. E wind around 10 mph. Air temp in the upper 80s.
Water temp was 82
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
2 Yellow Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing was slow despite what
looked like great conditions. I caught a real nice Drum
right away but didn't get the Yellows until it was about
time to go. Other than that I had a couple taps and
snagged a couple carp. Pictures
from Today!
|
| 33. |
8/22/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Bright Sunshine. NE wind around
10 mph gusting to 20. Air temp in the low 80s. Water
temp was 80
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
2 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Walleye
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing was very slow. I caught
a couple fish but none of them were worth bragging about.
The bait fish are getting a little bigger now and are
still everywhere. Fewer carp splashing at the surface
today too. |
| 34. |
8/25/2005
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Cloudy with drizzle and light
rain. SE wind around 10. Air temp in the mid 70s. |
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Bluegill
|
|
|
2 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
22 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
25 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
5 Channel Catfish
|
|
:
|
4 White Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I got quite a few fish today
but only a few of them were nice fish. The numbers made
up for the quality. After the first hour it began to
drizzle and the precipitation got progressively heavier
until I needed the rain jacket.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 35. |
9/01/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Bright Sunshine. SW wind around
10 mph shifting to NW and gusting to 20 mph. Air temp
in the low 80s. Water temp was 75-77
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
2 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Yellow Bass
|
|
Partner
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing was very slow again.
I caught a real nice Smallmouth and took some nice photos
but there are still a lot of bait fish all over the
lake. Pictures from Today!
|
| 36. |
9/05/2005
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Bright Sunshine. SW wind around
10 mph. Air temp in the low 80s. Water temp was 82
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
20 White Bass
|
|
|
2 Freshwater Drum
|
|
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1 Walleye
|
|
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12 Smallmouth Bass
|
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Partner
|
28 White Bass
|
|
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1 Walleye
|
|
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1 Flathead Catfish
|
|
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2 Freshwater Drum
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|
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1 Smallmouth Bass
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1 Channel Catfish
|
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Partner
|
20 White Bass
|
|
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2 Freshwater Drum
|
|
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4 Smallmouth Bass
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|
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1 Largemouth Bass
|
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Techniques:
|
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Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
The three of us had a great
evening on the water despite all the pleasure boats
and jet skis. We caught a lot of fish and several of
those were nice ones.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 37. |
9/11/2005
Illinois River
LaSalle County, IL
|
Bright Sunshine. SW wind around
10 mph. Air temp in the low 90s. Water temp was 82
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
9 White Bass
|
|
|
1 Channel Catfish
|
|
|
12 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
Partner
|
12 White Bass
|
|
|
1 Sauger
|
|
|
4 Smallmouth
|
|
|
2 Freshwater Drum
|
|
Partner
|
3 White Bass
|
|
|
2 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
2 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
2 Smallmouth Buffalo
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
It was slower than last time
but we still caught a few fish. I brought the camera
but left the memory card in the Laptop so no photos
this time. Each of us caught at least one very nice
Smallmouth. |
| 38. |
9/15/2005
Heidecke Lake
Morris, IL
|
Cloudy. NE wind around 5 mph
increasing to 15 mph. Air temp in the low 70s. Water
temp was 75-79
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
3 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
4 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Still lots of baitfish. I lost
a huge walleye at the boat and saw a Musky but he wasn't
interested in anything I tossed at him. One of the Smallmouth
I caught was a nice fish but the others weren't worth
mentioning. |
| 39. |
9/18/2005
Illinois River
|
Bright Sunshine. SW wind around
10 mph. Air temp in the low 90s. Water temp was 82
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Another great trip! More details
later. Pictures from Today!
|
| 40. |
9/24/2005
Illinois River
|
Mostly Cloudy. SW wind around
10 mph. Air temp in the low 80s. Water temp was 78
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
4 Largemouth Bass
|
|
|
19 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
1 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
5 Gizzard Shad
|
|
|
35 White Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
I tried some water I haven't
fished in a while. This trip started out slow until
I figured out what lure they wanted. After that I caught
fish almost every cast. I had one stretch where I got
10 fish in a row on 10 consecutive casts. Most of the
Smallmouth were very good fish which was a pleasant
surprise. Pictures from Today!
|
| 41. |
10/01/2005
Illinois River
|
Mostly Sunny. SW wind around
10 mph. Air temp in the mid 70s. Water temp was 73
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Channel Catfish
|
|
|
4 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
4 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
20 White Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits
|
All fish were released.
|
Fishing was slower due to the
drop in water temp and lack of current. The nice Smallmouth
of the past few weeks were gone but I got a nice catfish
and a several White Bass and I had to cover a large
area to catch them. All the Smallmouth I caught were
tiny ones. Pictures from Today!
|
| 42. |
10/07/2005
Powerton Lake
Tazewell County, IL
|
Mostly sunny. Air temps in the
low 50s. North wind between 15 and 10 mph. Water temp
between 73 and 92. |
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
21 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
|
3 Freshwater Drum
|
|
|
3 Channel Catfish
|
|
|
1 Bluegill
|
|
I got to the lake an hour after
it opened and it took me a little while to find the
fish. Once I did I had a great day. I lost a huge Smallmouth
and a huge catfish but still caught several nice fish.
Pictures from Today!
|
| 43. |
10/16/2005
Lake Michigan
Indiana
|
Bright Sunshine. Air temps in
the low 60s The wind was out of the East-Northeast around
10mph.
Water temp was 66.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Steelhead
|
|
|
3 Largemouth Bass
|
|
Partner:
|
6 Largemouth Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Spinners, Spoons
|
|
The big Lake was too rough to
fish due to the northerly winds but we found a safe
place to fish and it paid off. I caught the big fish
of the day and the two of us wound up with 9 Largemouth
Bass between us. Pictures from
Today!
|
| 44. |
10/29/2005
Lake Michigan
Indiana
|
Bright Sunshine. Air temps in
the low 40s The wind was out of the Southwest around
10mph.
Water temp was 54.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Largemouth Bass
|
|
Partner:
|
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Spinners, Spoons
|
|
The Lake was calmer than last
time but the fish were not as cooperative. We launched
way after dark and stayed out pretty late. Both of hooked
into decent fish but failed to land them. I had a nice
fish take a good sized lure right off the end of my
line. |
| 45. |
11/09/2005
Lake of the Ozarks
Missouri
|
Bright Sunshine. Air temps in
the mid 50s.
Water temp was 64.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
4 Largemouth Bass
|
|
:
|
1 White Bass
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Spinners
|
|
Played around outside the boat
slip for a little while and caught 5 fish. |
| 46. |
11/10/2005
Lake of the Ozarks
Missouri
|
Bright Sunshine. Air temps in
the low 50s rising to about 60.
Water temp was 64.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
12 Largemouth Bass
|
|
:
|
1 White Bass
|
|
:
|
2 Crappie
|
|
:
|
1 Bluegill
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Spinners
|
|
Did a lot of exploring today
and caught several fish but no bid ones. |
| 47. |
11/11/2005
Lake of the Ozarks
Missouri
|
Bright Sunshine. Air temps in
the low 50s rising to about 70.
Water temp was 62.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Largemouth Bass
|
|
:
|
2 Crappie
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Spinners
|
|
More time was spent sight-seeing
than fishing today. We ran over 80 miles on the water
today. |
| 48. |
11/12/2005
Lake of the Ozarks
Missouri
|
Mostly Cloudy with rain moving
in. Air temps in the low 60s rising to the mid 70s.
Water temp was 62.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
13 Largemouth Bass
|
|
:
|
3 Spotted Bass
|
|
:
|
1 Crappie
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Spinners
|
|
All these fish were caught in
one area. Once I found them I stayed on them until the
skies began to threaten. Photos
from the last 4 days.
|
| 49. |
11/14/2005
Lake Michigan
Indiana
|
Mostly Cloudy. Air temps in
the low 50s The wind was out of the Southeast around
10mph.
Water temp was 53.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Carp
|
|
:
|
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Spinners, Spoons, Plastics
|
|
I was after Lake Trout and was
limited on time. On my last cast I caught a
monster carp. |
| 50. |
11/27/2005
Illinois River
|
Cloudy with intermittent light
drizzle. Air temps in the low 50s The wind was out of
the East-Southeast around 10mph.
Water temp was 44.
|
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
2 Sauger
|
|
1 Shad
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Vertical Jigging. Plastics
|
All fish were released.
|
I tried jigging without live
bait today. The fish I caught were very small although
the Shad was a nice one. I wish I would have had more
time out there this evening. |
| 51. |
12/04/2005
Northwest Indiana Creek
|
Cloudy with intermittent light
snow. Air temps in the low 20s The wind was out of the
Northwest around 10mph. |
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
1 Steelhead
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Wax Worms, Red Worms, Nightcrawlers, Crank
Baits, Spinners
|
All fish were released.
|
I tried a variety of live bait
today until I realized the fish wanted none of it. I
could see fish cruising by every now and then but I
didn't hook any until I switched to artificials. I hooked
a couple and lost them, then decided to leave after
finally landing one and getting a picture.
Today's Steelhead
|
| 52. |
12/23/2005
Northwest Indiana Creek
|
Bright Sunshine. Air temps in
the low 40s The wind was out of the Southwest around
10mph. Water was low and clear. |
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
|
|
Techniques:
|
|
Crank Baits, Spinners
|
|
I struck out today but did net
a fish for another guy fishing next to me. It was a
nice fish too. I saw several fish but couldn't catch
them today. |
| 53. |
12/30/2005
Powerton Lake
Tazewell County, IL
|
Cloudy with light drizzle at
times. Air temps around 40. Variable Southeast winds
between 5 and 15 mph. |
|
Results
|
|
Me :
|
5 Freshwater Drum
|
|
Partner:
|
1 Smallmouth Bass
|
|
I caught 5 nice Drum and my
partner caught a real nice Smallmouth. We saw a lot
of nice catfish caught and only one other person mentioned
catching a Smallmouth. |
