Chicago fishing: Lakefront perch begins, pier passes begin ...

Perch fishing beginning on southern Lake Michigan and pier passes beginning Wednesday, Nov. 15, lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report; reports of burbot build on the Chicago lakefront and the Wisconsin lakefront.

Guide and fishing teacher Mike Norris texted the photo at the top of Laura Hiestand, Schaumburg, on an outing with Norris on Big Green Lake in Wisconsin.

LAKEFRONT PERCH

CHIICAGO: Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:

WE HAVE PERCH ACTIVITY, BUT THEY ARE OFF AND ON. WE HAVE HAD SOME CAUGHT UP THIS WAY AT MONTROSE LAST WEEK, A LITTLE BETTER SOUTH BY THE SLIP AND 95th. ONLY NAVY PIER REPORT I RECEIVED SO FAR WAS FROM A BOAT AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A COUPLE BIG SCHOOLS RIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF THE PIER SO SHOULD BE SOON THERE ALSO. BITING ON MINNOWS, ESPECIALLY ROSEY REDS ON A CRAPPIE RIG OR PERCH POUNDER RIG, WORMS, SHRIMP AND ARTIFICIAL BAITS TIPPED WITH SPIKES OR WAXIES.

Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez's Bait in Lake Station texted:

Perch fishing going good most days steelworkers park bank fisherman and boats fishing around crowley's turn around basin. Perch fly rigs and minnows and white spikes doing well.

WAUKEGAN:

Lori Ralph at the Salmon Stop in Waukegan texted:

Good morning ... My friend Jeff said he's seen a few perch, I guess they are on the way from the south. He went the last few days, nothing worth reporting he said

PIER PASSES

Pier passes go on sale and become effective Wednesday, Nov. 15. The $10 pier passes, which allow legal access to select piers at Jackson Park, Burnham, DuSable, Diversey, Belmont and Montrose harbors, may be bought at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor (cash only) and Northerly Island Visitor Center (credit-card only), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, but call (312) 745-2910 first to make sure someone is there.

NAVY PIER ANGLING

North side of Navy Pier is open for anglers. Discounted parking for anglers is $9 daily, beginning at 5 a.m.; must be out by 10 a.m. for the discount. Click here to prepay for the discounted tickets.

LAKEFRONT PARKING

Chicago Park District's parking passes ($20 for two months) for the anglers' parking lots at DuSable and Burnham harbors are on sale at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor (cash only) and the Northerly Island Visitor Center (credit card only), 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, but call (312) 745-2910 first to make sure someone is there.

My column from Nov. 30, 2022, on parking the length of the Chicago lakefront is posted at https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/11/30/23485385/chicago-lakefront-parking-fishing

AREA LAKES

Luke, a neighborhood young man dedicated to fishing, holds a largemouth bass caught at Palmisano Park. Provided by David Czuprynski — Luke, a neighborhood young man dedicated to fishing, holds a largemouth bass caught at Palmisano Park.

David Czuprynski emailed the photo above and this:

Dale,
In this picture is Luke, a local young man that goes to the Bridgeport Bait and Tackle every day. Gets minnows, worms, crappie bait. I told him I would send in his picture to you for fish of the week honors. He told me he is testing into Whitney Young's eighth grade program soon.
Best regards,
David Czuprynski

Dave Kranz of Dave's Bait, Tackle and Taxidermy in Crystal Lake and with his You-Tube channel, Dave Kranz Living the wild outdoors, texted:

Several warmer days this week will give the open water fishermen an opportunity to get out fishing. Channels have bait in them which brings the crappie, bluegill, bass and pike with them. Use wax worms for panfish. Live bait fisherman should use large golden roach minnows for bass and pike. . . .
Don't wait to get your ice tackle ready either, take a look at reels and rods. Check your line, and battery in your flasher's.

Ken "Husker" O'Malley with a fall bluegill.

Ken "Husker" O'Malley of Husker Outdoors emailed the photos above and below, and this:

Hey Dale,
Here is a recap of the past weeks fishing
Area lakes-
The mid-afternoon bass bite has been the best best for numbers. The jig bite hasn't really taken off yet, but will soon with water temps hitting just under 50 degrees. A 1/2oz war eagle spinner bait with a lake fork swim'n slug trailer has been the most consistent bait. Working the bait along the weed edge in 10 fow adjacent to the 15-20 foot drop off has been the target area.
Bluegill have been on fire during the first few hours of the morning. Targeting active biters in isolated weed clumps has taken good numbers in the 7-8 inch range. The bait of choice was a Wiggleyourworm_fishing custom jig paired with an IJO Plastics quiver minnow. A winning combination. It's shaping up to be a fantastic week weather wise to get out.
. . .
Here is the nature pic of the week [below]. Sign of summer past.
TTYL
Ken Husker O'Malley
Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team

A hornet's nest photographed while Ken "Husker" O'Malley fishing.

That's a sign of things past.

CHAIN O'LAKES AREA

Dave Kranz of Dave's Bait, Tackle and Taxidermy in Crystal Lake and with his You-Tube channel, Dave Kranz Living the wild outdoors, texted:

Several warmer days this week will give the open water fishermen an opportunity to get out fishing. Channels have bait in them which brings the crappie, bluegill, bass and pike with them. Use wax worms for panfish. Live bait fisherman should use large golden roach minnows for bass and pike. This is also a great time to float a Muskie sucker for a big Muskie.
Don't wait to get your ice tackle ready either, take a look at reels and rods. Check your line, and battery in your flasher's.

Kyle Tepper at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said bigger walleye are going on Rippin' Raps, big blade baits or suckers in 15-20 feet, there's a shallow bite for walleye, tooo; crappie pushed up into the channel (3 feet or deeper), use tubes or slip-bobber and minnow; white bass slowed some, but plenty being caught; muskies are going on suckers in 8-15 feet, Channel, Catherine and Marie are best; perch and bluegill are going good in 2 feet or less on ice jig and waxies under a small float; channel catfish continue on mnnows, chicken liver or cutbait.

NOTE: Check updates on water conditions at foxwaterway.com or (847) 587-8540.

NOTE 2: Stratton Lock and Dam is closed through April 30, 2024.

COOLING LAKES

Braidwood, Heidecke and LaSalle are closed.

DES PLAINES RIVER

A young man fishes on Silver Creek near 1st Avenue. Provided by Mitch Brown — A young man fishes on Silver Creek near 1st Avenue.

Mitch Brown, one of my pastors, emailed the photo above of this:

Urban fishing and I do mean urban! a silver creek under 1st avenue.

The angler must know something, he looks intent as if he expects to catch something.

DOWNSTATE

POWERTON:Closed. Bank fishing reopens Christmas.

EMIQUON PRESERVE: Running through the end of duck season, fishing is only allowed after noon. Access permits and liability waivers are available Tuesday to Saturday at Dickson Mounts Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed.

SPRING LAKE:Boat fishing is closed. Through the end of duck season, bank fishing is allowed after 1 p.m. Site superintendent Thad Cook noted, "Boaters cannot use the ramp on the causeway but can use the ramp at Sky Ranch Road during waterfowl season. They are allowed to boat north of Sky Ranch Rd bridge and south down to the buoy markers and sign at Maple Island."

SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing.

FOX RIVER

Vince Oppedisano emailed the photo above and this:

Hey Dale,
Fished a shallow stretch on the Fox River in Kane County on Saturday for a couple of hours. Levels were very low and the water was mostly crystal clear. Water temperature around 45 degrees. Caught one quillback on a white & gray hair jig.
On Sunday I fished for about 4 hours before sunset and found 14 smallmouth and a drum. I wasn't catching anything until I switched to a ned rig. Just casting and letting the ned drift downstream.....caught about 10 that way. Then about an hour before sunset, found a good jerkbait bite with 4 decent sized smallmouth hitting the lure one after the other in heavy current. Those were the best size from the weekend, all about 14-16 inches. Water temp on Sunday was about 45-48 degrees.
The upcoming forecast looks it might keep the water temps around that range for another week or so...

GENEVA LAKE, WISCONSIN

Kyle Tepper at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said walleye going at night, mostly trolling bays or casting the humps in 30 feet.

GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN

Guide Mike Norris texted the photo at the very top and emailed this:

Fishing Report – 11/13/2023
Mike Norris
Big Green Lake: The surface water temperature has dropped to the upper 40s but the big bass bite is still on. When weather and wind permits, I am guiding clients to catches of smallmouth bass up to five pounds. I am finding them searching for food in water as shallow as five feet, while other smallmouths have set up on primary break lines in 21 – 35 feet of water. With the cooler water, live bait dominates the shallow water catches, and Carolina rigging with plastics is my best choice for fishing for the deeper smallmouth bass. Walleyes are also active and catchable from sunset through the early evening hours. Try trolling with #7 Shad Raps or # 8 Countdown Rapalas over deeper green weeds in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Little Green Lake: Anglers are casting and catching muskies on suckers. A few others are trolling for muskie. Crappies up to 10 inches are biting out over the deeper water. Try drifting in 15 – 20 feet of water with minnows suspended 5 feet from the bottom.
Beaver Dam Lake: Crappies up to 12 inches and perch up to 10 inches are the best bet for shore anglers. Look for neckdown areas where current exists. Suspend a minnow below a float for boat species.

GREEN/STURGEON BAYS, WISCONSIN

Click here for the Wisconsin DNR weekly report.

KANKAKEE RIVER

Bob Johnson emailed the photo above and this:

Hi Dale - Kankakee River water temp dropped below 50, 49 degrees on Sunday and water looking very clear just down from normal pool. Fishing is good these days both Walleye and Smallmouth fattening up for winter ahead and I'm loving it!! Catching both species on swim baits, deep diving craink baits and swim baits however on Sunday the hot bite was jerk bait. Mornings are the best window to find them. I've located a couple spots in 8 to 12', Anyway the walleye measured 22 and 19 so were released due to the slot limit and Smallmouth never go home with me. Taking my son out Tuesday most likely his last day out, a sure sign season is almost over. I'll fish to ice on river puts an end to it. Smallmouth in pic measured 18 but average bass Sunday was 15 to 17

Bob Johnson with a smallmouth bass caught and released on the Kankakee River. Provided photo — Bob Johnson with a smallmouth bass caught and released on the Kankakee River.

Ken "Husker" O'Malley of Husker Outdoors emailed the photo below, and this:

Hey Dale,
Here is a recap of the past weeks fishing
. . .
Kankakee River-
Wading conditions are perfect. Water temps were 55 and very clear. I started out throwing topwater baits in hopes of hitting a mid-morning bite window. That window never developed. Next up in the lineup was the husker bug, but I found that many areas had too much moss on the bottom and the winds were going to be an issue as well. So I tied on a bandit 100 paired with Vector Hooks tornado trebles. The running depth was perfect as the bait stayed just off the bottom. That took a few decent bass. In the hopes of tying into better fish, the switch to a All-Terrain Tackle swim jig paired with Keitech impact swimmer in white. I dipped the tail in chartreuse spike it for some contrast. That took a few more but just couldn't find the big ones today. It was still a nice change of pace wading the river today.
. . .
TTYL
Ken Husker O'Malley
Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team

Ken "Husker" O'Malley with a smallmouth bass from the Kankakee River.

LAKE ERIE

Click here for the Ohio DNR Report.

LAKEFRONT

A big lake trout caught around Chicago Light. Provided by Dave Demsey — A big lake trout caught around Chicago Light.

Dave Dempsey messaged on Instagram:

Jigging a gulp at the lighthouse. Also castmasters too. All Lakers and one brown

Jeffrey Williams is still finding some salmon on the Chicago lakefront. Provided photo — Jeffrey Williams is still finding some salmon on the Chicago lakefront.

Jeffrey Williams messaged the photo above and this:

Easily say we are getting better and better at salmon fishing, caught around 7 cohos but kept 3, and was able to hook into a king, she was slowly getting into the Zombie Phase but i got nice eggs out of her, relased back so she could live whats left of her life. She was caught on a minnow under a slip bobber and the cohos were caught with Shrimp also under a slip bobber

Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:

WE HAVE PERCH ACTIVITY, BUT THEY ARE OFF AND ON. WE HAVE HAD SOME CAUGHT UP THIS WAY AT MONTROSE LAST WEEK, A LITTLE BETTER SOUTH BY THE SLIP AND 95th. ONLY NAVY PIER REPORT I RECEIVED SO FAR WAS FROM A BOAT AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A COUPLE BIG SCHOOLS RIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF THE PIER SO SHOULD BE SOON THERE ALSO. BITING ON MINNOWS, ESPECIALLY ROSEY REDS ON A CRAPPIE RIG OR PERCH POUNDER RIG, WORMS, SHRIMP AND ARTIFICIAL BAITS TIPPED WITH SPIKES OR WAXIES.
THERE ARE STILL SALMON AROUND. SOME OLD ZOMBIE KINGS, A FEW NICE COHO AND SOME REALLY NICE STEELHEAD/ RAINBOW. STILL CASTING LURES AND CRANKBAITS ALSO USING LARGER ROACH MINNOWS, NIGHT CRAWLERS, SHRIMP, WAX WORMS WITH HAIR/TINSEL JIGS. A FEW BURBOT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT AS WELL AS NORTHERNS. NO SMALLMOUTH REPORTS. AS I ALWAYS SAY WHEN YOU GET A BITE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WILL HAVE ON THE END OF THAT LINE.
PIER PASSES GO ON SALE THI...

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