Monroe area

[FishinFool]

I'll be heading down to Monroe around the 4th of July to visit the girlfriend. She has to work one afternoon so I'm going to try and head out to a stream near by. Here's where I'm going to need some help.

Can anybody point me to a smaller stream (I will be wading) where I can catch some smallmouth? I'm not looking for specific sections of the stream to fish (unless you'd like to share it ). Anything within an hour or so drive or less is fair game for me.

I fish for smallmouth here in SE Minnesota and the fishing hasn't quite heated up yet. I was out this last weekend and still counted 8 redds which is down considerably from the mid 20's I counted a couple weeks ago.

Thanks a lot for the help.

F.F.

[Tofishem]

FishinFool,

The Kishwaukee River on the SE side of Rockford, IL which is an easy 45 min. drive from Monroe. The Kish boasts some of the best world class smallmouth fishing. Belvidere, IL is another spot to try this small stream. Wading is really easy. There are some pools that run 8-10 ft. deep, but for the most part it's 3-5 ft. with rock and gravel. Awesome river.

Bruce

[FishinFool]

Thanks Tofishem, for some reason I never really thought about Illinois.

Aganin thanks for the heads up and if I make it out there I'll make sure to give a repo when I get back.

F.F.