Anybody been fishing the Chicago suburbs?

[Otter17]

Checking to see how you guys have you been doin in northern Illinois for Largemouth fishing recently. I’ve been out a number of times this year but it’s been slow. Any good reports in your areas?

 

Thanks much!

[HenryPF]

Natural ponds/lakes by you (I'm in Plainfield, near Shorewood) are still cold. temps for water are like 37 degrees and my retention pond is only 7ft deep. Fishing is still slow so I am out by the cooling lakes where its a balmy 70 degrees water temps. By the time cooling lakes go up too much, Heidecke should be turning on so I'll be heading out that way.

[Otter17]

Thanks for Sharing that HenryPF. That helps me to feel a bit better about myself now. Lol

 

Actually the majority of my fishing is in the Plainfield/Shorewood area also. So that really helps. 
 

Good luck at the PP lakes man!
??

[HenryPF]

Soon as the water temps are around 55 degrees, the bass spawn. In about 2 weeks if the weather holds, the crappies if you ponds have em turn on. Checking my video records, I see that I usually start Around May 1st for the bass bite, red chatterbait, rattletrap, and crank.

[Fat Ika]

On 4/1/2023 at 11:26 AM, Otter17 said:

Checking to see how you guys have you been doin in northern Illinois for Largemouth fishing recently. I’ve been out a number of times this year but it’s been slow. Any good reports in your areas?

 

Thanks much!

It's good in Northern burbs. Certain small waters where producing in late feb/early March. Ice-out this year was better bank fishing than usual. For my spots, some decent bass were reachable from the bank due to the high water from melts and snows/rains. Mid March slowed down with lowered water levels and cold fronts. Late March/early April is already on fire. I can barely fish for more than 1 hour/couple times a week due to some disabling injuries. I'm sure for the people that can commit to a couple hours minimum in waters with a decent bass population, it's probably a slamfest.

Have you been fishing historically productive waters, and what techniques have you been using, under what conditions?

[HenryPF]

Still loving the cooling lakes this time of year, LaSalle been on fire since I like that launch more than Braidwood and I didn't feel like catching anymore largemouth bass off the shorelines. Again, 45 mins from Plainfield. The ponds in your area turn on this week due to the weather. Rain this weekend will funnel the fish to the normal spots.

 

I caught so many fish this Saturday, my hands hurt and I'm taking the week off the re-coup.

 

Watch the rod in the background, there is no sound.

 

 

[Otter17]

? That was awesome. That is for sharing your vid!

 

Yeah I just started on the ponds 3 days ago. Yesterday I caught a bunch. If I stayed, I would have got them all day. Things are heating up. ??

[HenryPF]

Same - caught like 12 in 45 mins. Already in stupid lure mode which means I throw whatever stupid thing I feel like which I haven't caught anything on.

 

Think on Monday I am going to bust out the spinning gear and go with a Original Floating Rapala which I haven't used in like 40 years.

[Otter17]

Whoa that’s going old school for sure. Good luck man??

 

I keep using an underspin and a Keitech, but want to get into bigger fish so am going to change it up.

[HenryPF]

Went out today like an idiot caught 2 and my hands got cold in like 10 mins, don't know what I was thinking so I went back inside.

 

Fish are still cold would have though this is pre-spawn but fish tell me otherwise. Can't wait for warmer days where I can goof off all day long.

[Otter17]

I know dude, there was no way I was going to try today. I want to relax while I’m out there. 

[Eric 26]

I’m in New Lenox, Haven’t had any good sessions until yesterday hit 3 retention ponds in 4 hours. I only caught one dink and he was ice cold I caught him on a small inline spinner. I’ve been trying the Ned after seeing team9nine posts but no luck yet. Caught one on a spinner bait and one on a shallow diving rapala style minnow. I know my waters need to warm up because I’m not seeing any bluegill activity at all but as was pointed out I’m looking forward to the crappie getting ready to turn on soon.

[Otter17]

I’ve actually gone out a lot, and not once have I seen any bluegills out yet either. My two best days were using live large shiners(golden roaches) under a bobber.