Fishing Report For Chain O' Lakes, IL

Current Report: Good

With several lakes to fish in the Chain O' Lakes, and lots of fish in all of them, this is an ideal setting for bass tournaments. Numerous events are held annually, with lots of quality bass weighed in.

FALL. Now that late Fall taking over, bass are moving out of the shallows, following schools of baitfish back into deeper water. Good Fall options include Fox Lake, Pistakee Lake, Channel Lake, Meyers Bay and Nippersink Lake. Currently jerkbaits, deep-diving crankbaits, slow-rolled spinnerbaits, artificial worms, spoons and jigs are catching most of the bass. Later in Fall, as deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to ledges, channel edges, points and humps where flutter spoons, jigs and drop shots are often good choices in deeper water.

WINTER. Winter will isolate largemouth around slightly deeper structure, flats, points and creek channels. They typically can be found 12 feet and deeper, in Pistakee, Fox Lake and Channel Lake near drop offs and brush piles. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Slow presentations are key to getting bites. On warmer days, especially during late afternoons, bass may move shallower to feed.

SPRING. Once water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth will move from deep wintering holes, to shallower water nearby spawning areas. Anglers report good topwater action from mid Spring through Summer, especially early in the morning, and on cloudy days. Vibrating jigs, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits typically get bites just away from the shoreline. At this time they are feeding aggressively in about 2 to 6 feet of water, and preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water, while males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to deeper water. Deep-diving crankbaits, vibrating jigs, plastic worms, jigs, worms, and swimbaits catch bass during this period.

SUMMER. Water temperatures will warm considerably in Summer. Bass will feed shallow, early and late in the day, where they will be caught in 2 to 20 feet of water, on topwater lures, square-bill crankbaits, spinnerbaits and a variety of other lures. Wacky-rigged stick worms always catch finicky bass when the bite is slow. Largemouth bass here feed on gizzard shad, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught in deeper water. Some of the best reports typically come from anglers fishing Pistakee Lake and Fox Lake along humps and channel breaks.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

Walleye are the top prize in the Chain O' Lakes, and you can catch them year round. Many walleye in the 18" to 25" range are caught with regularity.

FALL. Late Fall brought cold water to the shallows, driving walleye and baitfish back toward deeper areas. Quality fish are coming from the drop offs in Lake Marie, Meyers Bay, Pistakee bay and the Fox River narrows. Early and late in the day finds them in 10 to 12 feet of water, mid day they hold 12 feet deep and deeper. Dragging jigs, bottom bouncers, or worm harnesses with nightcrawlers or leeches, around ledge drop-offs are catching walleye fairly consistently. Watch for the bigger walleye to be slightly deeper than the majority of the school.

WINTER. This winter, ice fishing for walleye produced good numbers, and reports of quite a few large walleye. Before, during and after the ice, anglers report catching them in the main basin area, in 12 to 20 feet of water, along deep creek channel edges, humps and ledges. They primarily feed on gizzard shad and small fish, staying close to the bottom. After ice-out blade baits, jigs, swimbaits, spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, and worm harness spinners, all work while deep trolling or drifting.

SPRING. Early Spring brings warming water in the shallows, and draws walleye here to feed, especially rocky areas and inlet channels. In Spring work points, drop offs, submerged structure, rock ledges, flats and flats adjacent to deeper water. Here, in 4 to 12 feet deep, they will spawn once the water warms to the mid to high 40's. When they move shallow, bright colored jigs, tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers typically catch them. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits are also working when walleye are up shallow. Afterwards, they move to 6 to 15 feet deep around creek inlets, shallow ledges, windblown rocky points and flats, shoals and ledges, nearby shore. They often stay in close proximity to their spawning locations. Main lake drop offs often produce nice fish.

SUMMER. Water temperatures rise in Summer, and walleye fishing is good if you can get your bait deep enough. Early in the day, and again at dusk, walleye tend to concentrate in 6 to 12 feet of water. Throughout Summer, early in the morning, and from dusk to long after dark are good times to catch walleye. At those times they move slightly shallower to feed in low-light conditions. Night fishing is often good in Summer, as well. The rest of the time they are cruising flats and creek channel edges, 12 to 20 feet deep , preferring the cooler temperatures. When the bite is slow, grubs and nightcrawlers, fished just off the bottom typically catch walleye.

Current Report: Very Good

Perch here, are fat and plentiful. Jigs tipped with grubs, worms, prepared baits or minnows are catching lots of perch. The population of yellow perch residing here, provide a steady food source for larger, predator fish, plus they provide fun fishing for anglers. For those who love a good fish fry, perch are excellent.

FALL. As Fall is working its way toward Winter, anglers are finding yellow perch feeding aggressively in 8 to 14 feet of water, especially around weed lines and drop offs. They have migrated toward Winter holding areas around the deeper edges of weedbeds, drop offs along flats, channel edges, and humps. Fox Lake, Lake Marie, Pistakee Lake, and Channel Lake are all good choices now. Minnows, spinners, spoons and crankbaits are ideal this time of year.

WINTER. Ice fishing for yellow perch this Winter produced some really nice catches. The cold of winter drives perch deeper again in search of food and stable water conditions. Mid-depth flats are ideal Winter holding spots. Early in Winter, perch are caught when they are feeding in weedy areas, in 10 to 20 of water. Later in Winter, as the lake freezes over they descend into deeper water where available. Popular baits include minnows, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers.

SPRING. Perch spawn in Spring when the water temperature warms to the mid 50's and mid 60's. Anglers are beginning to catch them in 2 to 8 feet of water using minnows, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers. Docks, weed lines, drop offs all attract yellow perch searching for a meal. Later in Spring, they drop into 6 to 12 feet of water. Shallow flats and bays in Bluff Lake, Fox Lake, Lake Marie, Pistakee Lake, Petite Lake and Channel Lake have historically delivered good stringers of perch.

SUMMER. Fat yellow perch here feed primarily on small fish and invertebrates. Spinners, underspins, small crankbaits, mealworms, nightcrawlers and maggots are catching perch in 2 to 20 feet of water. In early Summer, plus the first and last hours of the day ,seek them out in feeding zones, very shallow. Drop-offs, and in areas with submerged vegetation, are key feeding spots throughout the day.