Illinios river

[Reels]

Did anyone gt out this week? Just wondering how the river is doing.

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[Doc_wi]

Me too! Thinking of taking a ride next week.

Doc

[whit]

River condition is great right now but the bite is kind of tough. Lots of small 5 inchers hitting now with a keeper every now and then. Keepers should start hitting again soon. So far this has been a top notch year on the Illinois with alot of big fish. At least we can tell the stocking program is working. Fish the weekdays if you can. Big crowds on weekends.

[john mannerino]

weekends are TOUGH on the IL. Try to fish the weekdays.Have been hearing good reports from the river this year. Try www,chicagolandfishing.com go to the IL river page. John

[jigger]

what would you say would be the best color jig on the ill river in spring?

[Jeffro]

>what would you say would be the best color jig on the ill
>river in spring?

Jigger,
I've caught more saugers on orange head w/ plastic chartruese sparkle grub (twister tail w/tail removed)than anything else.

Good Fishin!

Jeff Zurawski
Downers Grove, IL

[jigger]

thanks i've done well with blue head and pink tail (hair jigs. I'm fishing the mwc tourney in march 23,24th. tough question for you were to you think it will be won? do you use large fat heads or small? thanks again

[Fuzzy]

jigger - I can guarantee and predict exactly where and how to win that tourney. Same as every year and every tourney down. It's won by the team that weighs the 10 largest saugers, fishing the hottest spot using the most effective presentation. Just having a little fun. :)

[Cranks]

the big snow last week brought the river up 6 feet or so but it's been dropping the last few days. snow has been predicted but it should be too bad. i would suspect that the water is dirty and muddy but clearing. fluctuating water levels this time of year can make the bite tricky - it's up to you - you should be able to get some fish - it's been pretty nippy too.

[Jeffro]

>thanks i've done well with blue head and pink tail (hair
>jigs. I'm fishing the mwc tourney in march 23,24th. tough
>question for you were to you think it will be won? do you
>use large fat heads or small? thanks again

Jigger,
Fuzzy's got it pegged! lol
But seriously, if the river is high and dirty, then i would bet the winning weights would come from near the dam. Low and clear, then i would guess the flats, negro creek, clam beds, hennepin high lines, snatch, or any combination thereof.

Good Luck Jigger!

Jeff Zurawski
Downers Grove, IL

ps- I ask Buster for however many dozen "sauger" minnows I'll be needin. I think he gives me the biggest size fatheads he's got at the time. I've heard sometimes "rosy reds" work good, don't forget the crawlers either!

[Fuzzy]

Yup - never underestimate the crawler - many days the crawler have been the ticket.

[Reels]

6' holy smoly, Im sure with the current melt going on, it will rise even more. Did seem real low when I was out a couple of weeks ago.

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[paul surrock]

fished the rock today ,,, nothing!!!!!!!!!

[Reels]

Water still muddy?

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[paul surrock]

no the water looks very good ,maybe 14in. visibility,which is about as good as it gets. went to ottawa pool today. didn't go out till 2:00 p.m. tried trolling a smithwick rogue, and a three way with a big jig on the bottom, nothin' .. finally slowed it down will watching a red fox play in the park and hit two 21" sauger right at dark. probably should have stayed after dark but didn't want to upset honey.......

[Reels]

Nice fish, sure makes the day worth it!

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