We are closed for the season! This report updated on 11-27-05

As the 2005 musky season draws to a close, I want to thank everyone for getting out with me this year!  We had our best musky season ever!  I hope you all had a few laughs, learned a few new tricks; but most of all took the time to enjoy the great outdoors fishing with me on our local waters.

FYI, I will be a speaker at the Northwest Chicago Sports at Arlington Park on Sunday January 8th, 2006!   Check out their site at www.nwchicagosportsshow.com

Stop by to attend a great seminar that I'm giving on fishing the Fox Chain for muskies!!

I will also be at the Fox River Valley Chapter booth at the Tri-Esox Show on January 13th-15th!  Check out the schedule by clicking on the link  www.chicagomuskieshow.com

Stop by and book your musky trip for 2006!

Fox Chain of Lakes:  SLOW
We are starting to see the Chain freeze up!  Lake Marie is completely frozen and not navigable by boat.  Stay off the ice as it cannot support any weight at this time!!  Channel & Catherine are also starting to freeze up.  South bay on Channel is frozen in all the way up to Thirsty Turtle!  Launches that are currently frozen in are Bob's Marina on Catherine and Mentone's on Channel.  This situation could all change with next weeks warmer weather, so call before heading out to make sure you can get your boat in the water!  Bring salt, sand or kitty litter with you otherwise you will NOT be able to get your rig out of the water by days end!

Water temps are currently running between 36-38 on the Chain!  Visibility on most lakes is running 3-4 feet.  Weeds are dieing off on all shallow areas.  Some  muskies are moving on weed edges & deeper breaks on the north & south ends of Channel Lake & Lake Catherine. Jerk baits & gliders will produce some fish.  Small Suicks with orange belly's working well.   Musky action has remained very slow!  Don't overlook trolling!  For additional fishing reports contact Greg Dickson's Triangle Sports & Marine at (847) 395-0813 for up to the minute fishing reports and conditions on the Chain. 

Shabbona: SLOW (report updated 10-31-05 courtesy of Denny at Lakeside Tackle!)
Water temps running 48-50. Contact  Denny at Lakeside Bait & Tackle at (815) 824-2581 for lake conditions or visit their website at  Shabbona Lake.   
Park hours are 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM through October!

Bass
Lure: Spinnerbaits, Do Nothing Worms
Bait: Minnows, Nightcrawlers
Location: Rock Piles, Drop Offs 
Tip: Look for the greenest weeds next to a drop off

Muskie
Lure: SS Shad , Bageley's Divers, Suicks, Jakes
Bait: Muskie Suckers
Location: NMZ, Bays, Spillway
Tip: Try trolling deep crankbaits, like Jakes.

Walleye
Lure: Jig & Leech, Lindy Rigs, Shad Raps
Bait: Minnows, Nightcrawlers
Location: Drop offs, road bed, rock piles
Tip: Look for walleye under schools of shad

Catfish
Lure: Liver Hooks, Dip Worms
Bait: Cutbait, Chicken Liver, Nightcrawlers
Location: Area 25, 11, Rock Piles
Tip: None

Bluegill
Lure: Jigs, Small Bobbers, Mini Mites
Bait: Wax Worms, Leaf Worms
Location: Green weeds, fish cribs
Tip:  Fish around greenest weeds  

Crappie
Lure: Mini Mites, Jigs
Bait: Minnows, Wax Worms
Location: Deep Tree Tops & Fish Cribs
Tip:  Crappies will make a fall movement shallow, like in the spring

Evergreen Lake: (Courtesy of Mike Steffa on 10-10-05)

Water Conditions: Level 2 feet below normal pool Temps: Upper 60s to Low 70s Clarity: 1-3 feet 

Crappie Very Good. Crappies are still biting very well. Very good numbers and sizes. Minnows or tube jig/minnow combo working best. The hot spot is still the Pumphouse. Other locations doing well are the walls along the Spillway (Up Top), Campground Cove, Mallard Cove, and Two Cedars Cove. 

Bass Fair. Some pretty good numbers, but not a lot of big ones. Spinnerbaits working well in the shallows around structure. Some fish are hanging off drop-offs. Saugeye Slow to Fair. Some numbers, but mostly little ones. Vertical jigging working about the best. 

Muskie Fair to Good. Some decent numbers, and sizes, too. Main lake drop-offs and points the best with shad colored baits. White Spinnerbaits producing, too. Bass fishermen are reporting muskie taking white and chartreuse colored Spinnerbaits. 

Catfish Slow. Cats have really slowed down. I havent heard much at all here. 

Bluegill Fair to Good. Some decent numbers and sizes. Waxworms and redworms working best. We will be conducting our annual fall night electroshocking survey this week. Ill let you know how we do and send any pictures if we get any bigguns. 

My good friend Mike Jackson is now on every Sunday morning from 6:00-7:00AM on WSBC AM-1240. Check out his show, you may even want to call in! For those of you interested in expanded fishing, hunting and outdoor news for the Midwest, check out Mike Jackson Outdoors at: http://www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com