When do smallies spawn in northern Illinois?

[Otter17]

I’m from the South West Chicago suburbs. Just wondering when Smallies typically spawn in this area.

 

Thanks much! 

[Junk Fisherman]

Rivers or Lake Michigan?  Lake Michigan smallies start in early to mid May while in rivers it should be starting just about now.  

[Bdnoble84]

These to were midjune last year. One was on a bed, other phat with eggs. Rivers were blown out in may though so may have been a second round. Im south of Rockford.

[Otter17]

Thankyou greatly guys!

[softwateronly]

Saturday I got 4 smallies, the best was 4lb, in the 31st harbor, all females.  My memory is seeing bed fish in the harbors as early as the first week in May.

 

scott

[Dwight Hottle]

It not so much where you live & fish but water temperature that triggers the spawn. Smallies start to spawn when the water temps hit 55-56 degrees in the spring with the heaviest concentration occurring in the low 60 degree range.  

 

[Kev-mo]

I was out saturday on river and saw a few beds with fish. The cold front will slow them down....

[Otter17]

Thankyou greatly guys!

[slonezp]

On 4/18/2021 at 7:02 PM, Bdnoble84 said:

These to were midjune last year. One was on a bed, other phat with eggs. Rivers were blown out in may though so may have been a second round. Im south of Rockford.

Rock River?

Spawn should be starting any day now if it hasn't already and go on another 4-5 weeks inland. Water temps are the key. On Lake Michigan, figure late April to mid May

[Bdnoble84]

Fish rock river as well but this was a small stream. I know small mouth can spawn into June but i was just surprised that they were still fat with wggs june 16

[JWall14]

I saw them starting to make beds last week so quite soon around me.

[Otter17]

Thanks a ton JWall14!

[Junk Fisherman]

Back when I used to fish the Kankakee a lot, I crushed the postspawn smallies on Mother's Day Weekend in some eddies.  I had some epic days in the State Park back when the Kank was kicking out a lot of 20" bass.  That pattern worked every year.  So by that timing, smallies should be spawning right now in the rivers.  

[Otter17]

Thankyou, I haven’t fished the Kank in a few years, I gotta get out there. Normally when I fished it, it was from just east of the 55 bridge to the confluence. 

[Junk Fisherman]

17 hours ago, Otter17 said:

Thankyou, I haven’t fished the Kank in a few years, I gotta get out there. Normally when I fished it, it was from just east of the 55 bridge to the confluence. 

 

I fished there once but I spent most of my time on the Kank in the State Park or by Area 7 (or is it 9?) up to the Warner Bridge.  But I'm talking 15 years ago when I was on a wading kick.  If I was starting from scratch I would focus on the Dupage around Shorewood.  Seems like that stretch kicks out a lot of nice fish.  Also, they are catching a lot of nice pike in the Des Plaines.  Both of those places are closer too.