Illinios, Wisconsin, Iowa, Where Are The Bass

[coryn h. fishowl]

This is for those in the illinois, wisconsin, and iowa area, I've had terrible luck lately. Where are you guys finding them. I don't want to know your favorite fishin hole, but are you catching them in the shallows yet or are they still in the depths near you. Are the near the rocks, muck, or last years weedbeds.  This is a discussion about where you're finding them, what your catchin them on, and your first good fishing stories of the year.

[slonezp]

The ice just left this week in Lake County. Fox Chain still not completely open. I was out breaking in my new motor this morning dodging icebergs.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

First time out today, yesterday ice was still covering the area shown in background maybe 15' or so open. This is the north end and little "lagoon" section of a 22 acre lake rest of lake section still 95% covered. I caught mine on bottom 16' with nightcrawler. Didnt feel any tap just pressure like hook got caught on weed but then felt a side movement and just reeled-in it didnt fight just came in.

Walked around rest of lake and saw another small open piece and a Northern Pike 2' from shore getting some sun. Tossed out a crawler but no take.

 

Tried out my new gear of Core50mg7 on my Smoke rod and new Okuma Helios bc on "new" discontinued Cumara 7'6" crank rod. The set-up that cauch the fish was 8' ML Mod Avid with Stradic 1000 reel.

 

[draggin]

in the water... im not sure yet, hopefully ill find out in the morning

[GOOCHY]

Ice out just happened a few days ago so they're not too shallow yet here in Eastern Iowa.  Should be pretty soon, though.

[Scott F]

Bass season does not open for another month in Wisconsin.

[draggin]

didn't think bass season ever stopped

[plumworm]

They are still driving on northern Wis. lakes. Chance that some lakes will still have ice by our opener on first Sat. in May. WE have "chances" of snow a couple of nights this week according to our "weather guessers" It's looking like no spring before summer this year.

[slonezp]

My son has been hitting subdivision ponds in Lake and McHenry counties. Did quite well over the weekend. He caught this 4lbr on Saturday on a chatterbait. Sunday the bite was on an 8" worm

[Texas bassman]

I caught this baby last weekend. On a kvd 1.5

[Texas bassman]

Caught this baby on a kvd 1.5

[hooah212002]

didn't think bass season ever stopped

 

Unfortunately, he is correct: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/seasons/bass.html. Perhaps someone could break down exactly how it works? I mean, if you get caught with a line in the water, is it "go directly to jail. do not pass go, do not collect $200"? I am personally extremely anxious to get out but not at the expense of doing so illegally.