So at this rate the bass will be spawning in may.... 

From my observation around the Chicago area.....I typically don't see them on beds until late April and into mid-May. 

My nephew has been fishing several ponds and doing really well on red ey shads. He lives in the Carol Stream area. I live in the Mundelein area and I still had ice today on lots of the small ponds. Another week and the ice should be gone. I always start the season with a rattle trap fished very slowly on the bottom, just enough to keep it moving, and I do really well for bass in our local northern ponds. Where are you fishing?

 

Im out by Carpentersville, the ponds are at a forest preserve called Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary.  Tried a spro mcstick today and got denied again, haha.  It's good practice though, trying to fish extremely slow.  I'll try the rattletraps though.

Clinton lake today I caught 9 lmb with 4 over 18inches. Also caught several nice strippers around 4 lbs. god start to year.

Hey Fellas, Just checking in now that I am living in St Charles, Illinois. I relocated for my job! I just moved here from New Mexico, before that I was In MO, CO and I am originally from northern Michigan. Not real familar with the area yet, any help from some locals would be great. Thank you very much!

Welcome to IL. If you haven't been fishing yet, the Fox River is a pretty devent smallie fishery

Welcome to IL. St. Charles is a nice location. You can try the Fox like mentioned. Around the damns and then further down river to Batavia has been said to have a lot of musky lingering. I don't do too much lake/pond fishing in IL so I'm not really going to comment there. Too many bucket fisherman..........

Welcome to IL. If you haven't been fishing yet, the Fox River is a pretty devent smallie fishery

 

Thank you, I will definetly try the Fox river.

 

Welcome to IL. St. Charles is a nice location. You can try the Fox like mentioned. Around the damns and then further down river to Batavia has been said to have a lot of musky lingering. I don't do too much lake/pond fishing in IL so I'm not really going to comment there. Too many bucket fisherman..........

 

 Thank you! St Charles is a nice place to live except for the cost, I actually just put an offer in on a house in Maple Park. Hopefully the move will free up some funds for a new boat.  

here here

Has anbody been out to the fox yet?  The water is pretty high by me

I've been on the Chain, not the lower river. There still dumping water thru from the Wisconsin run off. This should stop by May 1st. There was a tourney out of Port Barrington this past Sunday. 12 boats, 7 bass total, big bass was a 3.3 . Also, rumor has it, there were some Asian carp snagged on the Chain this week.

I was on the bank off 90 about 2 weeks ago.  Current is fast, water is high and frigid cold still. I didn't catch anything nor did I see any signs of life.  I'd expect it to pick up around May. 

The entire Fox Chain is No Wake as of today due to flood conditions. We were out yesterday in the 30mph winds and caught the skunk. Water temps 39-43. There was a tourney going on in which I did not participate Out of 25 boats, 2 boats weighed in a total of 3 fish. The winner was paid out 1st and 3rd places with big bass and the 2nd boat was paid out 2nd and 4th. The team who won walked away with almost a grand. Not too shabby for a 4.66 bag.     

The entire Fox Chain is No Wake as of today due to flood conditions. We were out yesterday in the 30mph winds and caught the skunk. Water temps 39-43. There was a tourney going on in which I did not participate Out of 25 boats, 2 boats weighed in a total of 3 fish. The winner was paid out 1st and 3rd places with big bass and the 2nd boat was paid out 2nd and 4th. The team who won walked away with almost a grand. Not too shabby for a 4.66 bag.     

That's depressing.

Mark, I just talked with the guy who came in first. He said if the weigh in was at 3 and not 3:30 there would have been zero fish weighed in. He and the 2nd place team caught the 3 fish on the same shoreline after 3 pm. I have a tourney on Sunday depending on water levels. If they stay where they're at it will be a 'no wake" tourney. If they rise they may close the waterway and reschedule for the 28th.

Mark, I just talked with the guy who came in first. He said if the weigh in was at 3 and not 3:30 there would have been zero fish weighed in. He and the 2nd place team caught the 3 fish on the same shoreline after 3 pm. I have a tourney on Sunday depending on water levels. If they stay where they're at it will be a 'no wake" tourney. If they rise they may close the waterway and reschedule for the 28th.

Good luck out there. Stay safe. Hopefully you find a better bite than the guys who fished that last one. Water will probably continue to rise as the lakes up north continue to thaw and the rain we're getting.

Anglers Choice has cancelled the tourney on the 21st and rescheduled for the 28th due to water conditions on the Fox Chain.

and the Fox Chain is officially closed to boat traffic

The section of the Fox River I drive by on my way to work is really high as well. Seems to just keep rising day by day, too.

After this rain......the river is going to be ROARING. Hope everyone's sump pump is working.

Anglers Choice has cancelled the tourney on the 21st and rescheduled for the 28th due to water conditions on the Fox Chain.

Rescheduled to Sept. 22nd

Anyone been on Clinton lately?

Water really high at Clinton. Fishing was good before rain, should be by next weekend.

Could someone help me with some info on what it takes to "legalize" a boat purchased via private sale?

 

My father (lives in IL) and I are looking at getting a boat which would be stored at his house. It would most likely be under 16 ft (looking at 14ft jon boats) since that seems to be the cutoff. I have already looked at the DNR site, but it's not as clear as I would like it, or I am simply having trouble reading it.

 

What I need to know:

 

Insurance? Do boats need it?

 

Title? Should it come with one that I just renew? (remember: 14 footer)

 

Registration? Same as title?

 

Trailer plates?

 

Trailer insurance?

 

I know this all sounds like "duh" stuff to yous guys, but I/we have never had this sort of stuff (boats/atv's/trailers even). Prices would be great, but more importantly is just finding out what I need. I can find out the price later.

2 titles. One for the boat and one for the trailer. If the boat will not have a motor and will be used only on private water it does not need to be registered. Registration application from the DNR if it has never been registered in IL. You will need to keep a copy of the application in the boat until they send you the registration sticker and then you will need to buy vinyl registration numbers for the hull. If it was previously registered in IL I believe there is a transfer application. Insurance is not mandatory unless the boat is financed, but it's a good idea. It should be relatively cheap. My old 17ft with a 90hp was $250 for the year which included liability, theft, full replacement, medical payments, etc. To insure your gear is additional depending on the dollar value you put on it. The boat and trailer SHOULD be covered under the auto policy while they are in tow but you need to check with your agent. In IL you need trailer plates and can apply for them at the DMV or any currency exchange. You will need to call and see what paperwork you need for the application.  

Thank you. I assume it would make the process much smoother if we get one with existing title/registration and just transfer it over, yes? Or is it easy enough if you get one where the seller indicates that they do not have the title/registration (bill of sale is good enough, right?)? It is also cheaper to renew as opposed to new, isn't it?