Holy crap I've missed a lot on this thread since I started it. Definetly have to find time to keep up with it.

Does anybody know the regulations for kayaks in Illinois waters? For example, can I just take my yak (which already has a 2015 water usage stamp) and drop it in any public lake/river and fish??

Does anybody know the regulations for kayaks in Illinois waters? For example, can I just take my yak (which already has a 2015 water usage stamp) and drop it in any public lake/river and fish??.

 

On state controlled waters you are probably OK. On county forest preserve lakes, you need to check the regs. Some lakes don't allow any boats or you can only use one of their rentals.

I believe the Fox Chain you will need a separate sticker.

Anybody from the Northern Illinois Rockford Area? Haven't taken the time to go through the 85 pages to find someone! And if so does anyone know of the areas fishing club and their requirements for membership?

I believe the Fox Chain you will need a separate sticker.

I don't have the guts to venture out on those waters. Too busy and the fishing kind of sucks from my experience.

On state controlled waters you are probably OK. On county forest preserve lakes, you need to check the regs. Some lakes don't allow any boats or you can only use one of their rentals.

I'm guessing I could find the regs for forest preserve lakes online somewhere?

I don't have the guts to venture out on those waters. Too busy and the fishing kind of sucks from my experience.

The fishing is not bad if you put in your time

The fishing is not bad if you put in your time

That is very true my friend

Frog bite went crazy last night.

Bass bite on the Fox chain is hot hot hot!. Not much size to the fish. My biggest today was 17" caught on a jig. Boated another 35 fish. They were hitting a t-rigged baby bass worm until the sun came out. Then it was swimjig city. At one point in time I counted 8 fish in 15 minutes.

Decent catch 2 days in a row. 17 catches. 3 pikes and 14 bass. Jig, frog and jerkbait bait. Wonder how it will be this weekend with the cold front in today.

Jerkbait still hot tonight.

Delavan this morning

 

Couldn't go wrong with swimjigs and frogs. These are the bigger ones but we had a bunch in the 1 1/2-2lb range. Snotrocket bite was double or triple that of the bass and everyone we caught appeared to either have teeth mark from being attacked by something bigger, or some type of disease. fresh wounds on every single one of them. Water temps 68* clarity, 10ft+ and they did a weed kill in LLL

 

And the big one for the day was surely over 5

 

Hello!

    I'm new to and loving the wealth of info on this forum.

 

Anybody using inflatable toons in the area? We just moved from Dekalb County to northern cook/southern lake county and always looking for new folks to fish with.

 

Weather is rainy today but I'll be bouncing around the local spots this week after work and this weekend.  Beck Lake is closest to me and I am thinking this will be my first spot unless you all have better ideas.

 

Looking forward to sharing some success stories:)

Good work Paul! You guys beat em up. Next time throw that Packer fan over when he goes to lip a fish!

First rat fish of the year worth a quick photo anyhow...

Southern end of state here.  Born and raised in Marion (still live here too).  Grew up fishing on farm ponds and many local strip pits in the area.  Fished Lake of Egypt quite a bit in high school and college when my dad still had his boat.  He has since sold it and am looking to buy another boat now.  I fish out of a Wilderness Systems Ride 115 kayak on many of the strip pits, and if it's something you haven't ever done it is an absolute ball.  Makes many inaccessible waters a breeze to fish and is totally different catching fish from a kayak. 

Hello!

    I'm new to and loving the wealth of info on this forum.

 

Anybody using inflatable toons in the area? We just moved from Dekalb County to northern cook/southern lake county and always looking for new folks to fish with.

 

Weather is rainy today but I'll be bouncing around the local spots this week after work and this weekend.  Beck Lake is closest to me and I am thinking this will be my first spot unless you all have better ideas.

 

Looking forward to sharing some success stories:)

welcome!

no idea on any of your questions though lol.  Try to stay as far south as I can but there are a few around your area here that may know some areas. 

Hello!

    I'm new to and loving the wealth of info on this forum.

 

Anybody using inflatable toons in the area? We just moved from Dekalb County to northern cook/southern lake county and always looking for new folks to fish with.

 

Weather is rainy today but I'll be bouncing around the local spots this week after work and this weekend.  Beck Lake is closest to me and I am thinking this will be my first spot unless you all have better ideas.

 

Looking forward to sharing some success stories:)

I'm a pontoon guy. I live in the Southwestern part of the Chicagoland region, Joliet. I seldom use my 'toon on lakes, I float the rivers mostly. If you want to drive a ways, I can tell you about places to use your boat.

anyone fishing in IL this year...strangely void of pictures or activity lol.

I'm a pontoon guy. I live in the Southwestern part of the Chicagoland region, Joliet. I seldom use my 'toon on lakes, I float the rivers mostly. If you want to drive a ways, I can tell you about places to use your boat.

 

I'd love to head out and learn a few things - still haven't gotten mine in the water yet! I'm aiming for tomorrow morning if this rain/wind stops...

anyone fishing in IL this year...strangely void of pictures or activity lol.

Last week I totaled 50 plus fish. Not taking the time to take pictures so I can get my line back in the water for more fish

ive caught a bunch but nothing worthy of picture posting.

 

going the next few days if weather isnt awful. 

Been averaging around the 2 lb mark and 25 inch northerns. Last couple of trips the bass seem to be getting smaller.