smallmouth lake near chicago

[Karps]

Hey guys I have a buddy that wants to fish a weekend for smallmouth.We would like to stay say 3 hours or so from chicago.We have a boat and are really looking for a great lake.... any ideas? Oh ya we will be going around may 21 or so .He has a baby coming in june so I really want to make his last trip a good one.Any help would be appreciated.....Karp

[Depth Finder]

Probably the nicest all around lake near Chicago would be Pierce Lake near Rockford. It is in the Rock Cut State Park and has a nice assortment of Smallies, Northerns, some Muskies and lots of Crappies. They don't allow a wake but any size motor is ok. It's a nice calm, peaceful lake for electric motor trolling and has a super launch and a restaurant on the water...

[lassig]

Why not Lake Michigan? Great smallie fishery right in the back yard

[mike walleye]

Lake Geneva has a dynamite population, as does Lake Michigan and the Miss River will turn em out as well. Lake Erie has world class smallies, worthy of that 4 hour drive.

[lost sailor]

ditto on Lk.Geneva in Wisc., great average size but this can be a tough lake to fish. very clear water and lots of boat traffic. the missippi river is a great sm.bass fishery once you get north of dubuque.

skip

[Drift Sock]

Wisconsin River.

Mendota chain in Madison, WI.

Sturgeon Bay (aprx. 4 hours from downtown Chicago if there's no traffic).

DS

[ffishman]

Newton Lake southern ILL. Denny Bauer films a lot of his shows there. 25hp limit, or electric.