Fox River-Chicago/nw-W Burbs

[MarkH024]

Hey guys,

Anyone fish the Fox River in the Chicago land area? Specifically for smallies/LM/or musky? I fish the stretches from Carpentersville down to Elgin/South Elgin. I have also fished in the Geneva/St Charles stretch too. I've been searching for other areas to fish, does any one have any recommendations of a good stretch. Looking for a little more privacy to be honest, some places are flooded with "people" not fishermen. Plan on getting my boat out there maybe at the end of this fall or next spring. I keep my boat up in Wisconsin for most of the year.

[hooah212002]

Have you checked out Lake-Link?

[MarkH024]

Yeah I have been a member on LL for quite some time. The knowledge and feedback here is about 100 times better I feel, and in general Bass Resource users are just more friendly. I use LL for checking out lakes, reviews, but hardly ever for user forum feedback. Thanks for the thought.

[hooah212002]

Yeah I have been a member on LL for quite some time. The knowledge and feedback here is about 100 times better I feel, and in general Bass Resource users are just more friendly. I use LL for checking out lakes, reviews, but hardly ever for user forum feedback. Thanks for the thought.

I totally agree. I just use it to gauge how well a certain spot is fishing or to find worthwhile new spots.

[slonezp]

I launch at Voyagers off I90. The launch is shallow and muddy and I'd recommend having a push pole in the boat. My boat is way too big to fish that water and my props can confirm that. A jon boat with a small motor would be ideal. Spring is ideal to catch some decent bass. I have caught some up to 4lbs. During the summer months, can't say I've caught anything bigger than 14", but many times they are stacked up. I know some guys who swear by using plastic helgies on a small jig. My success has been with senkos, t-rigged Rage Craws, and jignpig(springtime) I have never targeted any othe species but I know guys catch walleye, cats, pike, and white bass. I have never caught a largemouth in this stretch but know someone who has.

There are no navigation or contour maps available. I can run my 17' deep v to the water treatment plant south of the I90 bridge. I have never really tried to go further, it gets really shallow and muddy. I can go up to the first island north of the bridge with little issue. Once you get to the island, it's time to trim up and idle or you will destroy your boat. During normal summer levels, I can get up to a foot bridge past the second island before having to turn around. During high levels in the spring I can get to Higgins Rd but the water is not fishible because of the high current. Water levels have been way too low this year. Was out once Memorial day weekend and tore up my prop.

Springtime bass

Summertime bass

[MarkH024]

Thanks for the info. Voyager is where i have been fishing. Only from shore at this point. When I bring my bass boat home I might try it out here. I've caught only smallies and one musky from this location.