Where are all the Illinois Guys ?

[Nice_Bass]

Been seeing a lot of the same around here. Marking tons of bait and pans on major drops but not much going on. Clinton crappie are up super shallow but water was 65 midlake. Still no bass shallow there today although I am sure some found them, lots of boats there when I brought the fam out for a couple hours. Couple of dinks is all today on 1/2 jigs deep. Daughter did have a couple 11" crappie which was a tad smaller than my big bass for today.

[slonezp]

There was a big shad kill over the winter. Dead shad everywhere. The 1198 screen blew up with  fish at one point. My son was throwing a sqarebill and snagged a bluegill and a shad on two consecutive casts. I ran into a guy I knew who was crappie fishing in the same area. He said they must have caught 100 fish in 2 hours. We found a school of panfish in another channel. The school was at least 100' long x 15' wide. Looked like a mix of crappie, gills, and white bass. Shoulda brought some minnows 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I got out and it was finally not as windy as it has been til the rain started. I went with wacky senko and got this 17" 2-1/2 # bass.

 Caught a few other dinks and looks like the bluegills are out in force.

 

 

[jross1901]

windy day on clinton today, got four LMB, on 18inch 4lber, couple of whitebass and two pretty big sheepheads on cranks that i thought were big bass sigh.

 

looks like 17+ lbs won the bass tournie on sat the 19th. 

[tbone1993]

windy day on clinton today, got four LMB, on 18inch 4lber, couple of whitebass and two pretty big sheepheads on cranks that i thought were big bass sigh.

 

looks like 17+ lbs won the bass tournie on sat the 19th. 

Some of the best guys on that lake only caught 12-13lbs so I would say it has been pretty tough.

[spartyon8]

Those of you who fish the Chain of Lakes in Northern IL, are there any free ramps or permits needed to launch boats on the chain? I acquired my first bass boat and would like to take it out soon but my uncle told me that I need a Chain sticker.

[NILBasser]

Anybody got any tips or info on Carlyle?

[tbone1993]

Anybody got any tips or info on Carlyle?

Doubt you will find any information until after the state tournament, unless someone is really kind to you. 

[MarkH024]

Those of you who fish the Chain of Lakes in Northern IL, are there any free ramps or permits needed to launch boats on the chain? I acquired my first bass boat and would like to take it out soon but my uncle told me that I need a Chain sticker.

your uncle is correct. No free launches either.

[sully99]

Yes you need a Chain Sticker, the Chain O Lakes State park ramp is free.

[MarkH024]

Yes you need a Chain Sticker, the Chain O Lakes State park ramp is free.

good to know. Thanks for correcting

[spartyon8]

Thanks guys. Where would the best place to get this sticker be? My lazy butt doesn't want to google right now.

[NILBasser]

OK, anybody been on Clinton? Gonna head down Fri for the weekend. Guessing the weather is gonna move some fish around with the dirty water. Anybody know the water temps?

[Nice_Bass]

Anybody got any tips or info on Carlyle?

don't fish there if its windy!! 

 

in all seriousness I have not been back in years-

[Nice_Bass]

OK, anybody been on Clinton? Gonna head down Fri for the weekend. Guessing the weather is gonna move some fish around with the dirty water. Anybody know the water temps?

was 78 at the dewitt bridge and was around 66 at IP point (Saturday the 26th)

Crappie are in full spawn and the shad appeared to me to be spawning as well.  Some decent fish coming out of there lately although not from me.

[slonezp]

Those of you who fish the Chain of Lakes in Northern IL, are there any free ramps or permits needed to launch boats on the chain? I acquired my first bass boat and would like to take it out soon but my uncle told me that I need a Chain sticker.

The only free launch is at the state parks. There is one located on grass lake and another on the river below McHenry Dam. You need to contact the Fox Waterway agency about buying a "Chain sticker". You can purchase one thru them or some of the ramps sell a daily permit. I promise you, you will get caught by the Lake County Sherriff if you don't have one. They patrol heavy from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and last year added jet skis to their fleet. Here's a link to the FWA and how to purchase a sticker http://www.foxwaterway.com/

[slonezp]

and make sure you go no wake in the no wake zones. That's where most of the people get caught. Make sure you have all your safety equipment. Life jackets (IL law states inflatables must be worn for them to count) a throwable, an up to date fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit. They may or may not check these items. The dnr patrols as well and they WILL check for everything. Just don't give them a reason to stop you.

 

If it were me, I would get out there before the crowds to try out your new boat. If you try to venture into the river on the weekends, be off before 11:00am or be prepared to crap yourself. The guys in the cruisers and cigarette boats won't be paying any attention to your little bass boat.

 

I've been fishing the Chain for around 12 years. If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them

[spartyon8]

Thanks man. My uncle was telling me the same things about boaters and traffic. he actually advised me to not go on the chain. He said my time was better spent taking a drive into WI for Silver Lake and Delevan. He refuses to fish anywhere around here because of the people. He is strictly a north woods traveler and some trips south.

[cadman]

Thanks man. My uncle was telling me the same things about boaters and traffic. he actually advised me to not go on the chain. He said my time was better spent taking a drive into WI for Silver Lake and Delevan. He refuses to fish anywhere around here because of the people. He is strictly a north woods traveler and some trips south.

I live really close to the "Chain" in northern IL, and I don't fish it because of the boat traffic in the summertime. However Geneva and Delavan aren't much better in the summertime either. There are many lakes in S.E. WI, that are less crowded and are phenomenal fisheries. Don't get me wrong Geneva and Delavan are phenomenal but trying to fish at 10:00 a.m. on a Saturday is challenging. You can fish Little Muskego, Browns, Pewaukee, Madison Chain, Como and many more. Also Long Lake in IL has some huge largemouths as well.

[spartyon8]

I live really close to the "Chain" in northern IL, and I don't fish it because of the boat traffic in the summertime. However Geneva and Delavan aren't much better in the summertime either. There are many lakes in S.E. WI, that are less crowded and are phenomenal fisheries. Don't get me wrong Geneva and Delavan are phenomenal but trying to fish at 10:00 a.m. on a Saturday is challenging. You can fish Little Muskego, Browns, Pewaukee, Madison Chain, Como and many more. Also Long Lake in IL has some huge largemouths as well.

I live in the Harbor and try to fish Sterling Lake at Van Patten even though it doesn't produce for me. You ever fish there? Tips?

[cadman]

I live in the Harbor and try to fish Sterling Lake at Van Patten even though it doesn't produce for me. You ever fish there? Tips?

PM sent

[FlipnLimits]

Thanks man. My uncle was telling me the same things about boaters and traffic. he actually advised me to not go on the chain. He said my time was better spent taking a drive into WI for Silver Lake and Delevan. He refuses to fish anywhere around here because of the people. He is strictly a north woods traveler and some trips south.

The Chain gets very busy, the water gets rough (especially in the river), and the fishing is generally tough.  But many tournaments are here and if you're close, it's the biggest show around.  The smaller lakes in the area fish much better.  Good luck to ya.

 

FL

[spartyon8]

Thanks Limits!

[slonezp]

In addition to what FL said, if you plan on doing tourneys, I'd spend a year or two learning the Chain before investing the money on them.. It gets pounded pretty hard and the guys who are consistently in the top, live in the area and are out fishing every day. Not saying you can't get lucky, but time on the water is the way to cash checks. It is the biggest show around, and there is money to be made, but you really have to work for it.

[slonezp]

 Although I don't want to, I'm putting tourneys, and possibly bass fishing, on the back burner until I can get my shoulder fixed once and for all. Did some crappie fishing today the sounds of crappie love are in the air. We sorted thru small males to get 6 decent sized females. My dad who is a pro when it comes to live bait LOL was getting drum as well. Even got a 2.5lb bass. I still haven't caught a bass this year. Just walleyes and crappies. I did pitch a jig for a little while and got one good bite. I happened to be on the phone with the ol' lady and needless to say I lost it.