Southwest Suburban Fishing

[Guest]

Hi.

Does anyone fish southwestern suburbs or further? I will be new to fishing there this spring summer and need to know some great lakes to try near Seneca or Morris etc. LaSalle, Illini or Illinois River?

Thanks,
Mike

[Guest]

every town you listed has powerhouse cooling lakes with good fishing.Especialy La

alle has a great smallmouth population.The Illinois river has good fishing from Ottowa to Peoria. Do you have a boat? I 55 just beyond I 80 can lead you to the Braidwood and Heidicke powerhouse lakes as well as the Kankakee river near wilmington.The Kankakee has a lot of areas to explore
Good luck and stay in touch. Are you new to Illinois,or just the southwest area? Jack

[Guest]

Thanks Jack,

No I am not new to Illinois grew up here my whole life. Trouble is that I do / did most of my fishing in Wis and Min!

I recently got a RV and spot in a park near Seneca so that is why my interest is in that vicinity. No boat yet but may rent from time to time.

I figured LaSalle may be my best bet but did not know if they rent boats there at all and if the fishing was good all summer?

Thanks Again,
Mike

[Guest]

Mike,
Lasalle does rent boats.Fishing for different species can be good all summer evev after the water warms up pretty well.
Jack

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 02-06-2003).]

[Guest]

Lasalle no longer rents boats. The concession stand has been knocked down. So get your bait before you go. Last year the largemouth dominated the smallmouth. Lots of fish in the 12-14 inch range. Can't wait.....the lake should explode again with some BIG largemouth catches in a few years.

Heidecke Lake in Morris rents boats and also has decent shore fishing access. There is a very good smallmouth, hybred stripped bass, and walleye population.

I believe the opening dates for the cooling lakes are as follows:
Braidwood: March 1
Lasalle:March 15
Heidecke: April 1

[This message has been edited by DANCES WITH FISH (edited 02-04-2003).]

[This message has been edited by DANCES WITH FISH (edited 02-04-2003).]

[Guest]

Thanks Guys.

Too bad about the boat rental no longer at LaSalle. That would have been perfect. Is the shore fishing there ok most of the year? Any pointers or species to target? Keeping kids occupied with small fish?

Heideke I have always heard about and will have to give it a try.

One last thing... Any info or opinion on shore fishing the Illinois river somewhere around Seneca?

Thanks Again,
Mike

[Guest]

The shore fishing at Lasalle can be great in the spring......not too sure about the summertime. The warm side is the best, but it's a long hike from the parking lot. It would be best to bring a bike. Use a slip float and a large minnow. Cast only a few feet from shore. You will catch whitebass,yellowbass,largemouth,smallmouth, drum, channel cats, and bluegills. The variety is sometimes unbelieveable along with the action.
Heidecke is another place that is best in the spring. The same tecnique of a slip float and minnow will work were for smallmouth,whitebass,yellowbass,hybred strippers,and cats. The catfishing from shore is good in early summer also. They move up into the rocks to spawn.
Starved Rock state park has pretty good shore fishing access for the Illinios river along with some great trails for hikes with the family. In the spring the sauger run is great followed by the whitebass run. In the summer catfish and drum can be caught from shore. Bring plenty of tackle because there are lots of snags.
Hope this helps! Good fishing, Bob

[Guest]

Thanks Bob,

We will see how it goes! At least I won't be able to complain about trying. I wet line is better than working.

Mike