| 1. |
2/16/2009
Des Plaines River
|
Sunny. Air temps in the upper 20s to mid 30s. NW winds
around 5 mph shifting to SSW.
|
|
Results
|
| Largemouth Bass |
| Northern Pike |
| Skipjack Herring |
| Freshwater Drum |
| Smallmouth Buffalo |
|
We caught a few nice fish today but had to work for
them. It was well worth it though considering these
were the first fish of the year for us.
Pictures From Today
|
| 2. |
3/18/2009
LaSalle Lake
|
Mostly Cloudy. Air
temps in the upper 50s. NE wind 5-15 mph. Water temp was
62 to the mid 80s |
|
Results
|
| Largemouth Bass |
| Smallmouth Bass |
| Striped Bass |
| Freshwater Drum |
| Channel Catfish |
|
We lost count of
how many fish we caught. Until the sun made a brief appearance,
it seemed like almost every cast resulted in a fish. Later
in the morning, the hot bite died and the fish were fewer
and farther between. Both of us managed to put a couple
real nice fish in the boat, but we caught more 12 to 15
inch bass than we could count. It was a great morning to
be on the water.
Pictures From Today |
| 3. |
3/27/2009
LaSalle Lake
|
Partly Cloudy. Air
temps in the mid 30s 50s. NE wind 5-15 mph. Water temp was
63 to the mid 80s |
|
Results
|
| Largemouth Bass |
| Smallmouth Bass |
| Freshwater Drum |
| Channel Catfish |
|
I caught quite a
few fish today but most of them averaged slightly smaller
than what was caught on the last trip, although I was able
to put a few "keepers" in the boat. There was a bald eagle
sitting in the same tree that had an Osprey in it last week.
It was cold, windy, and sunny in the morning so I had to
work for the fish I caught. I would have liked to have had
more time on the water today.
Pictures From Today |
| 5. |
4/17/2009
Des Plaines River
|
Sunny. Air temps in the upper 60s. SE winds around 5
mph.
|
|
Results
|
| Largemouth Bass |
| Smallmouth Bass |
| White Bass |
| Freshwater Drum |
| Channel Catfish |
|
No clouds and almost no winds makes for tough fishing.
We caught a lot of smaller fish and a few nice catfish,
but overall fishing was slow.
Pictures From Today
|
| 6. |
4/23/2009 - 4/25/2009
Lake of the Ozarks |
Mostly Sunny.
Air temps in the mid to upper 80s. Winds were up to 30 mph
out of the south.
Water temp was 54 to 60
|
|
Results
|
| Largemouth Bass |
| Crappie |
| Green Sunfish |
| Freshwater Drum |
| Spotted Bass |
|
I spent the entire
trip fishing out of the back of Masons brand new boat. We
caught a lot of fish and some of them were good ones. Each
day we were out was very windy.
Pictures from today 1 of 2
Pictures from today 2 of 2 |
| 7. |
5/4/2009
Heidecke Lake |
Mostly Sunny.
Air temps in the mid to upper 60s. Winds ENE switching to
South around 5 mph.
Water temp was 57 to 61
|
|
Results
|
| Walleye |
| Freshwater Drum |
|
Fishing was slow
today with the bright sunshine. I had to work for the few
fish I caught. At least the Walleye were good fish.
Pictures from today
|
| 8. |
5/18/2009
Braidwood Lake |
Mostly Sunny.
Air temps in the mid 60s. Winds SSW switching to South around
15 mph.
Water temp was 74 to 87
|
|
Just like the last
trip, fishing was slow today with the bright sunshine. I
had to work for the few fish I caught. I caught 9 Largemouth
but they weren't worth bragging about. I took a lot of nice
photos around the lake though.
Pictures from today
|
| 9. |
5/29/2009
Heidecke Lake |
Sunny Air temp in
the mid 70s. WNW wind around 5 mph.
Water temp was 66 to 69 |
Results
Smallmouth Bass
Hybrid Striped Bass
Crappie
Freshwater Drum |
We put 8 or 9 fish
in the boat this morning despite the bright sunshine. The
weather was forecast to be overcast but there wasn't a cloud
to be seen until it was time for us to go. Mike caught the
only Smallmouth early on. We saw a few nice fish caught
at the launch ramps as we were leaving but as we were putting
in, we witnessed a guy have a mishap trying to pull his
trailer out and he messed up his truck. Hopefully his day
got better because it would have been tough to get worse.
Pictures from today |
| 10. |
6/03/2009
Heidecke Lake |
Cloudy Air temp in
the mid 60s. NE wind around 15 mph.
Water temp was 66. |
Results
Hybrid Striped Bass
Walleye
Freshwater Drum |
Today was one of
the better trips of the year. I fished for just under 3
hours and caught several nice fish including Stripers and
Walleye. I put at least a dozen or more fish in the boat.
Pictures from today |
| 11. |
6/11/2009
Heidecke Lake |
Cloudy, Rain non-stop
all day. Air temp in the low 60s. NE wind around 5 mph.
Water temp was 68. |
Results
Hybrid Striped Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Freshwater Drum |
Today started slow
but the fishing picked up later in the day. I got a late
start because of the heavy rain and didn't leave the house
until I saw there was no more red or yellow on the radar
where I was heading. I caught about a dozen good sized Drum.
They hit everything I threw at them. I also caught two nice
Stripers on two consecutive casts. I topped it off with
a Smallmouth then headed for home. It stopped raining after
I had the boat put away.
Pictures from today |
| 12. |
6/15/2009
Heidecke Lake |
Mostly Cloudy, Air
temp in the mid 70s. E wind around 10 mph.
Water temp was 73. |
Results
Hybrid Striped Bass
Walleye
Freshwater Drum
Crappie
White Bass
|
The day was forecast
to be mostly sunny but we were blessed with a nice blanket
of clouds. It didn't seem to help that much though. We caught
fish but not as many as we would have liked. Both of us
brought nice Walleyes to the boat and lost them, but Jim
was able to actually catch one and get it in the boat. Other
than that we caught a mixed bag of Drum, Crappie, White
Bass and Stripers. No really big fish today although the
last Walleye I hooked would have changed that. We spent
an extra hour trying to scare up another one in the same
area but to no avail. We did manage to find a cool looking
snake and get several pictures of it before we called it
a day.
Pictures from today |
| 13. |
6/30/2009
Des Plaines River |
Cloudy, Sprinkles
in the area. Air temp in the mid 60s. NW wind around 10
mph.
Water temp was 73 to 90. |
Results
Hybrid Striped Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Freshwater Drum
Largemouth Bass
|
This was the first
time I'd had been fishing with the dog. We all had a great
time. I caught a lot of fish. I didn't have to worry about
handling a fish and a camera at the same time since my wife
did a great job taking photos this trip.
For more details about this trip, see the
CatchPhotoRelease
fishing blog. Bear Goes Fishing
Pictures from today |
| 14. |
7/03/2009
Des Plaines River |
Mostly Sunny, Air
temp in the upper 70s. NW wind around 10 mph.
Water temp was 74 to 80. |
Results
White Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Freshwater Drum
Largemouth Bass
Northern Pike |
We caught a lot of
fish but not too many big ones. The later it got, the more
crowded the river became and it wasn't worth staying out
and fighting the rough water caused by all the pleasure
boaters.
Pictures from today |
| 15. |
7/06/2009
Des Plaines River |
Mostly Sunny, Air
temp in the upper 70s. WNW wind around 10 mph.
Water temp was 76 to 86. |
Results
Bluegills
Green Sunfish
Freshwater Drum
Largemouth Bass
Channel Catfish |
Great day on the
water. I took my neighbor and his son and we all caught
a few fish. After fishing we took a nice ride to see more
of the river before heading back home.
Pictures from today |
| 16. |
7/10/2009
Monee Reservoir |
Cloudy. Rain approaching,
Air temp in the upper 70s. ESE wind around 5 mph or less.
|
Results
Largemouth Bass
|
I fished the shoreline
then rented a boat for a short time and caught a few fish
including a Largemouth that went at least 6 lbs. I got one
other good fish and a couple smaller ones in the short time
I was there. Chased off by rain.
Pictures from today |
| 17. |
7/16/2009
Monee Reservoir |
Bright Sunshine.
Air temp in the upper 70s. Water temp in the mid 70s. SW
wind 10-15 mph. |
Results
Largemouth Bass
|
As usual, the bright
sunshine made fishing difficult. The crowd didn't help either.
I managed to put a few fish in the boat but I had to deal
with people parking their rental boats right in spots I
was casting to, people cutting between me and the weed line,
and other things that will make me think twice about going
back there on what most people would consider a nice day.
I quit counting after it happened the fourth time. No complaints
about the staff though. At least they are always helpful
and polite.
Pictures from today |
| 18. |
7/22/2009
Monee Reservoir |
Clouds, then bright
Sunshine, then more clouds. Air temp in the mid 70s.
Water temp in the mid 70s. SE wind around 10 mph. |
Results
Largemouth Bass
Channel Catfish
|
Fishing was very
slow again today. I started out fishing plastics and wound
up catching all my fish on them including the two catfish
I put in the boat. I caught the best bass of the day in
a spot I've fished before, but never caught anything. The
other bass was caught in the same spot where I got one of
the ones I caught last trip.
Pictures from today |
| 19. |
7/27/2009
Illinois River |
Mostly Sunny. Air
temp in the mid 80s. Water temp in the mid 70s. NW wind
around 10 mph. |
Results
Sauger
White Bass |
My wife and I spent
the trip exploring a part of the river that neither one
of us has ever been to. I stopped at what I thought was
a fishy looking spot and caught a couple fish very quickly.
I think I fished for a total of 10 minutes. The dog loved
it as much as we did. We saw a young bald eagle catch what
we think was an otter.
Pictures from today |
| 20. |
8/21/2009
Des Plaines River |
Cloudy, Air temp
in the mid 70s. WNW wind around 20 mph.
Water temp was 76 to 89. |
Results
White Bass
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Freshwater Drum |
I made up for the
time I lost this month and put over 100 fish in the boat
today. The cloud cover and wind helped even though I wasn't
able to get into all of my spot2 due to barge traffic.
Pictures from today |
| 21. |
8/28/2009
Heidecke Lake |
Cloudy, Air temp
in the mid 70s. E wind calm to 5 mph.
Water temp was 71. |
Results
Freshwater Drum
|
Fishing was very
slow but the highlight of the day was seeing a falcon follow
me. I got several good photos of it as it hop-scotched me
along the shoreline. The bird was later identified by the
Field Museum of Chicago.
Pictures from today |
| 22. |
9/11/2009
Des Plaines River |
Sunny, Air temp in
the low 80s. SE wind around 10 mph.
Water temp was 81 to 86. |
Results
White Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Flathead Catfish
Bluegill |
It was a great day
on the water of fishing and observing nature. We caught
some great fish including two big Smallmouth, and photographed
a rare bird. All three of us put fish in the boat today.
Pictures from today |
| 23. |
9/11/2009
Des Plaines River |
Sunny, Air temp in
the low 80s. ENE wind around 10 mph.
Water temp was 84 to 89. |
Results
Rock Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth Bass |
This was one of the
most scenic mornings I've had on the river. I caught a couple
real nice fish, and a bunch of smaller ones. A groundhog
was kind enough to pose for a few pictures as I was heading
back to the ramps.
Pictures from today |
| 24. |
9/18/2009
Monee Reservoir |
Bright Sunshine.
Air temp in the upper 70s. Water temp in the low 70s. NE
wind around 10 mph. |
Results
Largemouth Bass
Channel Catfish
|
Fishing was better
than the last time I was here. I started out by losing a
huge Largemouth at the boat but still caught several nice
ones. the fog made for a very scenic morning.
Pictures from today |
| 25. |
9/22/2009
Des Plaines River |
Cloudy with early
mist and occasional light rain. Air temp in the upper 70s.
South wind around 10 mph.
Water temp was 76 to 89. |
Results
Flathead Catfsih
Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
White Bass
Freshwater Drum |
I caught a lot of
fish today but was frustrated because I lost every big fish
I hooked except the Flathead and the Drum.
Pictures from today |
| 26. |
9/24/2009
Des Plaines River |
Cloudy. Air temp
in the mid 70s. South wind around 10 mph.
Water temp was 76 to 86. |
Results
Largemouth Bass
|
Al and I caught quite
a few Largemouth although no Lunkers today. As usual, Al
outfished me. It was still a nice trip and I wish we would
have had more time to beat up some other spots on the river
today.
Pictures from today |
| 27. |
10/01/2009
Des Plaines River |
Cloudy. Air temp
in the mid 50s. SE wind around 10 mph.
Water temp was 71 to 76. |
Results
Largemouth Bass
Shad
Northern Pike |
The average size
of the Largemouth I caught today was better than the last
couple of trips. I got a few nice ones including a nice
Northern Pike and a giant Shad.
Pictures from today |
| 28. |
10/07/2009
Des Plaines River |
Bright Sunshine.
Air temp in the low 50s. NW wind shifting to SW around 10
mph and dimishing.
Water temp was 62 to 74. |
Results
Largemouth Bass
Shad
Northern Pike |
I caught a couple
nice White Bass and a lot of small fish. No real big ones
today. I saw a coyote off in the distance and got a photo.
Pictures from today |
| 29. |
10/14/2009
LaSalle Lake
|
Cloudy. Light Rain,
Air temps in the low to mid 40s. NE wind 5-15 mph.
Water temp was 62 to 73. |
|
Results
|
| Largemouth Bass |
| Smallmouth Bass |
| Freshwater Drum |
| Channel Catfish |
|
Fishing was a lot
tougher than we expected. Mike caught 4 or 5 fish and I
caught two. Both of us got at least one real good Bass.
Mine was the Smallmouth and Mike got the best Largemouth.
Pictures From Today |
| 30. |
10/20/2009
Illinois River |
Cloudy Air temps
ranging from the upper 40s in the morning to the mid 60s
in the afternoon. South wind dimininshing from 10 mph to
calm Water temp was 55. |
|
Results
|
| Sauger |
| White Bass |
| Yellow Bass |
| Freshwater Drum |
| Bullhead |
|
This was probably
the best day of Sauger fishing I've ever had. Jim knew where
to go and we caught them everywhere we stopped.
Pictures From Today |
| 31. |
10/29/2009
Lake Michigan |
Cloudy Air temps
ranging from the upper 40s in the morning to the mid 50s
in the afternoon. South wind increasing to around 25 mph.
Water temp was 53. |
|
I saw quite a few
Lake Trout caught, but I struck out since I didn't have
what everyone seemed to be catching them on. |
| 32. |
11/09/2009
Lake Michigan |
Cloudy Air temps
ranging from the low 50s in the morning to the mid 60s in
the afternoon. South wind around 10 mph switching around
to out of the north at 10 mph to calm Water temp was 50. |
|
Results
|
| Yellow Perch |
| Goby |
| |
| |
| |
|
Another tough day
on the water - but still better than not being on the water
in the first place! |
| 33. |
11/23/2009
Indiana Steelhead Fishing |
Cloudy. Air temps
in the mid 50s. SSE wind 5 mph. |
|
Results
|
| Steelhead |
| Goby |
| Brown Trout |
| |
| |
|
Even though I went
0 for 2. Al landed enough for all 3 of us. He had at least
10. Great day!
Pictures From Today |
| 34. |
11/27/2009
Des Plaines River |
Bright Sunshine.
Air temp in the mid to upper 30s. NW wind around 10 mph
and dimishing.
Water temp was 52 to 65. |
Results
Largemouth Bass
Shad
Smallmouth Bass |
the fish we caught
weren't worth bragging about, but the wildlife viewing was
well worth the trip.
Pictures from today |
| 35. |
12/01/2009
Indiana Steelhead Fishing |
Sunny. Air temps
in the mid 40s. SW wind 15 mph. |
|
I went 0 for 1 but
Al landed quite a few.
Pictures From Today
|
| 36. |
12/08/2009
Indiana Steelhead Fishing |
Cloudy. Air temps
in the low 30s. SSE wind 5 mph. |
|
I went 1 for 2 and
Al went 3 for 4. Fishing was much slower today.
Pictures From Today |
| 37. |
12/14/2009
Indiana Steelhead Fishing |
Cloudy. Light rain
and mist all day. Air temps in the low 30s. SW wind around
5 mph. |
|
A better day than
last the trip. Armed with two new Steelhead rods, I went
2 for 3 and Al went 5 for 6.
Pictures From Today |
| 38. |
12/22/2009
Indiana Steelhead Fishing |
Snow all day. Air
temps in the low 30s. SW wind around 5 mph. |
|
A better day than
last the trip. Armed with two new Steelhead rods, I went
2 for 3 and Al went 5 for 6.
Pictures From Today |
| 39. |
12/29/2009
Indiana Steelhead Fishing |
Mostly Sunny.
Air temps in the single digits to the low 20s. SW wind around
10 mph. |
|
I landed the only
fish I hooked not counting the smolts. Al landed two and
hooked a few more. It was a slow day but nice to be out
despite the cold.
Pictures From Today |
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