I have a vacation coming up the last days of Aug, first days of Sept.  If I live in Chicago, would you head north to Winnebago and Sturgeon Bay, or south to Tablerock or Kentucky Lake???  I have caught good numbers in Winnebago, and good numbers and size at Little Sturgeon (6 lber).  Just asking for other peoples preferences.  Thanks in advance......Doug

I've been to the Rock and loved it.  I'm going to be at Kentucky around the same time that you are talking about.  It would be hard to pass either direction up I would go to the place I have spent less time at if it was me.

Better fishing is up north that time of year, particularly if your target is smallmouth bass. We never have the numbers in this part of the country and the smallmouth fishing can be very difficult during the summer.

I agree with Roadwarrior. It could still be quite hot (90s) even at Table Rock late August, but much more likely to find the water cooling and the fish "stocking up" at Winnebago or points north. If you're fishing around Winnebago and aren't prejudiced, you might find the largemouth even more eager at that time than the smallmouth. The Fox and Wolf rivers have some killer largemouth (and smallmouth) action. Especially fun is the topwater bite (flukes, frogs, etc.) around dense weeds. It's been my experience that largemouths get aggressive earlier in the fall than smallmouths, but in the rivers, you might get both! -- JC

Thanks for the replies.  With gas prices, I might opt for fishing around Wisconsin, which is about half as far.  I will keep you posted on what happens!!

I heard good things from a pro walleye buddy fishing Bago.  While trolling spinner rigs and cranks he got some really nice sized smallies.  If he were a Bass angler he would have been happy, unfortunately he is not.  Sturgeon Bay has probably better sized fish as well.  The southern areas? hmmmm the heat factor plays a big part.  Unless I hired a guide or know the waters real well I would stick to what I have experience with unless the conditions are optimal (Fall/winter).