10-30-2002, 05:32 PM
[center][size 2]Most years the hardwater picture is somewhere in between these extremes, with ice thick enough to walk on, covering most non-flowing waters north of Interstate 80 for a period of at least a couple of months.[/size][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]MAZONIA FISH & WILDLIFE AREA[/size][/li][/ul] [center][size 1]strip-mine-type lakes on this property straddling the Kankakee/Grundy county lines ranging in size from 1/10-acre lakes to 150-acre Ponderosa Lake, which Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Rob Miller says holds the most diverse population of fish species. [/size][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]Ponderosa[/size][/li][/ul] [center][size 1]Ponderosa's surface had so many auger holes that it "resembled the cover on a golf ball" as the result of ice-anglers chasing everything from slab crappies to rainbow trout.[/size][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]Monster Lake[/size][/li][/ul] [center]A[size 1] 10-crappie limit is enforced on Monster, with a six-per-day limit on channel catfish and a three-bass limit. According to Miller, bass are the big story here and are present in both size and numbers.[/size][/center] [ul] [li]
[size 2]The Mazonia FWA [/size][/li][/ul] [center] [center][size 1]is located near the Braidwood power plant on County Line Road, with the south unit in Kankakee County and the north unit in Grundy County. Perhaps the best access is off of I-55, if you take the Braidwood exit when coming from the north or the Gardner exit when coming from the south. Either exit takes you to Highway 53. Then it's a simple matter of following the signs. John's Bait Shop is also located just off Highway 53 on the South Wilmington blacktop on your way to this FWA. [/size]
[size 1]Access is not permitted on the ice if site superintendent Mark Meents deems conditions are not safe. Meents can advise on ice conditions and answer other questions at (815) 237-0063. [/size][/center]
[/center] [center][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]LAKE MILLIKEN[/size][/li][/ul] [center][size 1]Milliken has good numbers and size representation of bass, with bluegills and crappies also present. There is no size or bag limit on panfish. [/size][/center]
[size 1]The best access to the Des Plaines Conservation Area is at the Wilmington exit off of I-55. It is located next to the Kankakee River.[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]FOX CHAIN-O-LAKES[/size][/li][/ul][size 1]slot limit that is in place on these waters where 18- to 24-inch walleyes are protected has created a situation where an ice-angler can catch 20 or more quality fish in a day and not impact the fishery one iota because the dominant year-classes fall within the protected size limit.[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]Pistakee and Fox lakes[/size][/li][/ul][size 1]are also good bets for icing channel catfish. According to Larson, the most recent DNR survey indicates 57 percent of channel catfish on these waters are larger than 16 inches.[/size] [size 1][/size][size 1]For more information on fishing the Fox Chain-O-Lakes, contact the state park office at (815) 675-2385 or the Triangle Bait Shop at (847) 395-0813.[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]URBAN LAKES[/size][/li][/ul][size 1]Several lakes in the greater Chicago area offer good hardwater action this winter, according to DNR urban fishing biologist Ralph Steinakuser. Most notable is 6-acre Elliot Lake in Wheaton, which offers catch-and-release angling for a variety of panfish species. [/size] [center][size 1]Joe's Pond off of Willow Springs Road south of the Little Red School House nature center is another good bet for panfish, while larger Tampier and Busse lakes offer panfish in addition to northern pike, bass and walleyes. [/size] [center][size 1]For more information, contact Cook County Forest Preserve headquarters at (708) 771-1335.[/size][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]SHABBONA LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [center][size 1]Shabbona is one lake where a good topographic map and depthfinder are essential to winter fishing success. Concessionaire Denny Sands has maps with amazing detail at the lake in this state park. They are also available at Big Jim's Bait Shop in Shabbona. The phone number there is (815) 824-2415.[/size][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]LAKE LE-AQUA-NA[/size][/li][/ul][size 1]Caution is also advised on 43-acre Le-Aqua-Na near Lena in Stephenson County, especially around several springs located close to shore and around the aerator at midlake. A 10-per-day crappie limit is enforced on this state park lake, but, as part of an Illinois Natural History Survey that is ongoing at the lake, there is no limit on bluegills. [/size]
[size 1]Park ranger Steve Lotz is quick to reveal fishing information about this lake, including good locations to set tip-ups for northern pike. "This seemed to be a sure thing for a couple of anglers on the lake last winter," Lotz said. "And there were only a couple guys fishing for pike all winter." [/size]
[size 1]A three-fish-daily 24-inch pike limit is in place on Le-Aqua-Na. For more information, you can contact Lotz at (815) 369-4282 or Tri-Lakes Sporting Goods, located on U.S. 20 south of the lake, at (815) 369-5520.[/size]
[/center] [ul] [li][size 2]LAKE CARLTON[/size][/li][/ul]
[size 1]Although muskie-stocking efforts have been curtailed substantially since a rearing pond at this state park lake was a primary source of muskie fingerlings, it still gets stocked on a regular basis with several legal fish per surface acre, according to DNR biologist Kenny Clodfelter. A 36-inch size limit is in place for muskies on Carlton.[/size]
[size 1]For more information, contact Big River Bait & Taxidermy on Highway 64 in Mt. Carroll at (815) 244-3155.[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]PIERCE LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [center][size 1]Walleyes, bass and muskies that swim here grow fat on a healthy shad forage base, with some muskies at or near the 48-inch size limit that is in place. [/size] [center][size 1]Pierce has a decent crappie population, with fish cribs and the old roadbed that runs down the middle of the lake being good places to look. This lake is also full of little bluegills and is part of the National History Survey study, as is Le-Aqua-Na. The special bluegill regulations in place on Pierce are 10 per day with a minimum size of 8 inches. [/size] [center][size 1]For more information, contact The Curve Fishing & Marine at (815) 877-0637[/size][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]MISSISSIPPI RIVER BACKWATERS[/size][/li][/ul]
[size 1]To fill a 5-gallon bucket consistently on Old Man River, you have to be willing to travel considerable distances to find a fish-producing matrix. The best way to accomplish this is by letting your fingers do the walking. The following are contacts for reliable bait shops that can quickly apprise you of the angling situation: [/size]
[size 1]Pool 12 - The Bait Shack, (319) 582-9395; Tri-Lakes Sporting Goods, (815) 369-5520; [/size]
[size 1]Pool 13 - Big River Bait & Taxidermy, (815) 244 3155; Garvin Standard, (815) 273-3000; [/size]
[size 1]Pool 14 - R&R Sports, (319) 243-4696. [/size]
[size 1]* * *[/size] [center][size 1]No matter where you go ice-fishing, always call ahead for ice conditions.[/size][/center] [center][/center]
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[size 2]The Mazonia FWA [/size][/li][/ul] [center] [center][size 1]is located near the Braidwood power plant on County Line Road, with the south unit in Kankakee County and the north unit in Grundy County. Perhaps the best access is off of I-55, if you take the Braidwood exit when coming from the north or the Gardner exit when coming from the south. Either exit takes you to Highway 53. Then it's a simple matter of following the signs. John's Bait Shop is also located just off Highway 53 on the South Wilmington blacktop on your way to this FWA. [/size]
[size 1]Access is not permitted on the ice if site superintendent Mark Meents deems conditions are not safe. Meents can advise on ice conditions and answer other questions at (815) 237-0063. [/size][/center]
[/center] [center][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]LAKE MILLIKEN[/size][/li][/ul] [center][size 1]Milliken has good numbers and size representation of bass, with bluegills and crappies also present. There is no size or bag limit on panfish. [/size][/center]
[size 1]The best access to the Des Plaines Conservation Area is at the Wilmington exit off of I-55. It is located next to the Kankakee River.[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]FOX CHAIN-O-LAKES[/size][/li][/ul][size 1]slot limit that is in place on these waters where 18- to 24-inch walleyes are protected has created a situation where an ice-angler can catch 20 or more quality fish in a day and not impact the fishery one iota because the dominant year-classes fall within the protected size limit.[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]Pistakee and Fox lakes[/size][/li][/ul][size 1]are also good bets for icing channel catfish. According to Larson, the most recent DNR survey indicates 57 percent of channel catfish on these waters are larger than 16 inches.[/size] [size 1][/size][size 1]For more information on fishing the Fox Chain-O-Lakes, contact the state park office at (815) 675-2385 or the Triangle Bait Shop at (847) 395-0813.[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]URBAN LAKES[/size][/li][/ul][size 1]Several lakes in the greater Chicago area offer good hardwater action this winter, according to DNR urban fishing biologist Ralph Steinakuser. Most notable is 6-acre Elliot Lake in Wheaton, which offers catch-and-release angling for a variety of panfish species. [/size] [center][size 1]Joe's Pond off of Willow Springs Road south of the Little Red School House nature center is another good bet for panfish, while larger Tampier and Busse lakes offer panfish in addition to northern pike, bass and walleyes. [/size] [center][size 1]For more information, contact Cook County Forest Preserve headquarters at (708) 771-1335.[/size][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]SHABBONA LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [center][size 1]Shabbona is one lake where a good topographic map and depthfinder are essential to winter fishing success. Concessionaire Denny Sands has maps with amazing detail at the lake in this state park. They are also available at Big Jim's Bait Shop in Shabbona. The phone number there is (815) 824-2415.[/size][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]LAKE LE-AQUA-NA[/size][/li][/ul][size 1]Caution is also advised on 43-acre Le-Aqua-Na near Lena in Stephenson County, especially around several springs located close to shore and around the aerator at midlake. A 10-per-day crappie limit is enforced on this state park lake, but, as part of an Illinois Natural History Survey that is ongoing at the lake, there is no limit on bluegills. [/size]
[size 1]Park ranger Steve Lotz is quick to reveal fishing information about this lake, including good locations to set tip-ups for northern pike. "This seemed to be a sure thing for a couple of anglers on the lake last winter," Lotz said. "And there were only a couple guys fishing for pike all winter." [/size]
[size 1]A three-fish-daily 24-inch pike limit is in place on Le-Aqua-Na. For more information, you can contact Lotz at (815) 369-4282 or Tri-Lakes Sporting Goods, located on U.S. 20 south of the lake, at (815) 369-5520.[/size]
[/center] [ul] [li][size 2]LAKE CARLTON[/size][/li][/ul]
[size 1]Although muskie-stocking efforts have been curtailed substantially since a rearing pond at this state park lake was a primary source of muskie fingerlings, it still gets stocked on a regular basis with several legal fish per surface acre, according to DNR biologist Kenny Clodfelter. A 36-inch size limit is in place for muskies on Carlton.[/size]
[size 1]For more information, contact Big River Bait & Taxidermy on Highway 64 in Mt. Carroll at (815) 244-3155.[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]PIERCE LAKE[/size][/li][/ul] [center][size 1]Walleyes, bass and muskies that swim here grow fat on a healthy shad forage base, with some muskies at or near the 48-inch size limit that is in place. [/size] [center][size 1]Pierce has a decent crappie population, with fish cribs and the old roadbed that runs down the middle of the lake being good places to look. This lake is also full of little bluegills and is part of the National History Survey study, as is Le-Aqua-Na. The special bluegill regulations in place on Pierce are 10 per day with a minimum size of 8 inches. [/size] [center][size 1]For more information, contact The Curve Fishing & Marine at (815) 877-0637[/size][/center] [ul] [li][size 2]MISSISSIPPI RIVER BACKWATERS[/size][/li][/ul]
[size 1]To fill a 5-gallon bucket consistently on Old Man River, you have to be willing to travel considerable distances to find a fish-producing matrix. The best way to accomplish this is by letting your fingers do the walking. The following are contacts for reliable bait shops that can quickly apprise you of the angling situation: [/size]
[size 1]Pool 12 - The Bait Shack, (319) 582-9395; Tri-Lakes Sporting Goods, (815) 369-5520; [/size]
[size 1]Pool 13 - Big River Bait & Taxidermy, (815) 244 3155; Garvin Standard, (815) 273-3000; [/size]
[size 1]Pool 14 - R&R Sports, (319) 243-4696. [/size]
[size 1]* * *[/size] [center][size 1]No matter where you go ice-fishing, always call ahead for ice conditions.[/size][/center] [center][/center]
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