AndrewR
01-28-2009, 11:43 PM
Looking forward to hearing the stories---I believe you guys are catching fish in areas we drive bye every day:-) Thats awesome!
Sure do!
Okay, so here is my story.
It was not until five or six years ago when I began fishing the nearby rivers here in N. Illinois. At the time when I began, I was just an underclassman highschooler with a lack of transportation to the fishing holes (THINK James Ramirez), and because of that, I never went up to WI as frequently as I do right now.
Back when I started fishing the flows here (around 2002-2003), I remember making random trips each month out to the Fox River with my dad, who today I consider to be a "washed-up" angler. We didn't catch much and considering how I was relatively new to wading rivers around these parts, I found the fishing for us to be a waste of time. For example, we were complete Fox River NOOBS, and and really new to wading altogether. Today, however, it's not the case. But considering how the Fox River is about an hour west of my house which is on the Cook/DuPage border and how at the time I could never really go out there by myself, I had some local flows where I could begin fishing locally - and with better success, too!
About 5 years later, today, this still holds true.
The local flows which I have done most of my damage to the fish populations have mainly been the once severely-polluted Salt Creek. In addition to that and as of most recently from this past summer, I have fallen in love with the DesPlaines River. An honorable mention also goes out to the DuPage River which I have been fishing off and on since 2005 with mixed results as of late but it has treated me well.
First, I will discuss with you the Salt Creek.
I don't give away my spots on the creek unless I guide my friends to fish, or invite buddies to go on wades with me. However on all of the forums, you should know that I fish the lower stretch of this small river, all within 5-10 miles of the mouth to the DesPlaines River. Keep in mind that this creek spans for approximately 50 miles of stream, is home to approximately 9 water reclamation plants, and was once closed off to fishing in the 1970's/80's. Also, I never fish up near Busse which receives significant angling pressure.
Most of my spots on the creek are within a 5-minute car ride from my house. I do most of my fishing deep in the woods and at hard-to-access areas.
On the creek, I do the multi-species thing. My absolute favorite is wading for Walleyes during the springtime and fall, and the best is doing it at night during the summers. The numbers are lacking but the size and trophy potential of the fishery is outrageous!
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=74&g2_serialNumber=2
25" - 2006
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=109&g2_serialNumber=2
24" - 2007
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=127&g2_serialNumber=2
26" - 2007
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=133&g2_serialNumber=2
24" - 2007
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=198&g2_serialNumber=2
23" - 2007
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=540&g2_serialNumber=2
26" PB - 2008
Likewise, I catch a few nice Pike with my largest to date from here being a 34"er from November, 2005. Besides that, I've caught a few others at around the 30" mark with several between 15-25". Their numbers seem to be improving as of late.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=223&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=202&g2_serialNumber=2
Other notable species I catch from here are lots of Crappies which mainly run from 9-12 inches and are best in early spring to mid-summer, and for random periods in early fall. Also, the Largemouth Bass are decent and good for action but the biggest you'll ever get from here are 12-13-14-15 inchers. I catch them year-round with the best fishing being in mid-summer and then it really HEATS UP in October.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=149&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=626&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=634&g2_serialNumber=2
The Carp are okay too and I fish for them and other non-desireable species when all of the aforementioned ones aren't biting as frequently nor being found with success.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=591&g2_serialNumber=2
As you might know, the Salt Creek is a tributary of the DesPlaines River. Although I have fished the DesPlaines a few times a year with poor success since 2005, it was not until summer 2008 when I finally figured things out over there with the assistance of some of my friends.
We fish the river in Cook county mainly for the night-time Walleyes and the Northern Pike whenever they are around. This past fall we had experienced an incredible run with the Walleyes and Sauger with several 20-inchers being caught. The largest one we got came in November and it was during a trip in which I took two friends out - both have never caught Walleye before. This outing in particular was awesome because this seldom happens for a first-ever walleye catch:
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=605&g2_serialNumber=2
about 28", probably 7-8lbs.
Likewise, we got a few other respectable fish from the river as well.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=609&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=619&g2_serialNumber=2
24" - november 2008
The DesPlaines really treated me well this past fall and was really good to fish when the preferred Salt Creek wasn't producing much for us at all. The best time to be out there was at night. I should be back on the river sometime by mid-March in search for the spring run.
Besides the Salt Creek and its larger brother, the DesPlaines River, I said I also enjoy fishing the DuPage River. On the Dupe, all I ever fish for are Smallmouth Bass. I fish anywhere from Naperville which is small skinny water, and I go as far south as Shorewood in which the river actually looks like a river.
The DuPage has pretty good fishing on a year-round basis providing if you know where to go and how to avoid all of the mid-summer eel-grass and vegetation which clogs up the river. My best times for the DuPage are in April/May, and then again in mid-summer and early fall.
Below is a sampling of what one could expect to catch on the DuPage:
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=86&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=95&g2_serialNumber=3
And yeah, I mentioned the Fox River when I began this long local river introductory post . . . . I still fish the Fox River and make the effort to get out there for wades when time allows. My favorite stretches are between S. Elgin and St. Charles, Batavia, and then North Aurora.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=190&g2_serialNumber=3
For 2009, I will be doing a few float trips down our various rivers, will continue in my pursuit of the elusive and legendary 10-pound Walleye from Salt Creek, and will be hopefully fishing the usual 100 random days which has been the norm since 2005. I also have a few new rivers on the list which I will be exploring with further frequency: the Mackinaw River near Bloomington IL, Kankakee River at the state park, and Apple River at the state park as well (FYI, beautiful water!).
Well, that's my story. About damn time there is a forum here for the other hot-spots in northern IL! :)
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=117&g2_serialNumber=2
I'm sure some of you have questions so feel free to add below. I'm sure that I forgot to talk about a lot of subjects related to this post and my info.
Sure do!
Okay, so here is my story.
It was not until five or six years ago when I began fishing the nearby rivers here in N. Illinois. At the time when I began, I was just an underclassman highschooler with a lack of transportation to the fishing holes (THINK James Ramirez), and because of that, I never went up to WI as frequently as I do right now.
Back when I started fishing the flows here (around 2002-2003), I remember making random trips each month out to the Fox River with my dad, who today I consider to be a "washed-up" angler. We didn't catch much and considering how I was relatively new to wading rivers around these parts, I found the fishing for us to be a waste of time. For example, we were complete Fox River NOOBS, and and really new to wading altogether. Today, however, it's not the case. But considering how the Fox River is about an hour west of my house which is on the Cook/DuPage border and how at the time I could never really go out there by myself, I had some local flows where I could begin fishing locally - and with better success, too!
About 5 years later, today, this still holds true.
The local flows which I have done most of my damage to the fish populations have mainly been the once severely-polluted Salt Creek. In addition to that and as of most recently from this past summer, I have fallen in love with the DesPlaines River. An honorable mention also goes out to the DuPage River which I have been fishing off and on since 2005 with mixed results as of late but it has treated me well.
First, I will discuss with you the Salt Creek.
I don't give away my spots on the creek unless I guide my friends to fish, or invite buddies to go on wades with me. However on all of the forums, you should know that I fish the lower stretch of this small river, all within 5-10 miles of the mouth to the DesPlaines River. Keep in mind that this creek spans for approximately 50 miles of stream, is home to approximately 9 water reclamation plants, and was once closed off to fishing in the 1970's/80's. Also, I never fish up near Busse which receives significant angling pressure.
Most of my spots on the creek are within a 5-minute car ride from my house. I do most of my fishing deep in the woods and at hard-to-access areas.
On the creek, I do the multi-species thing. My absolute favorite is wading for Walleyes during the springtime and fall, and the best is doing it at night during the summers. The numbers are lacking but the size and trophy potential of the fishery is outrageous!
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=74&g2_serialNumber=2
25" - 2006
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=109&g2_serialNumber=2
24" - 2007
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=127&g2_serialNumber=2
26" - 2007
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=133&g2_serialNumber=2
24" - 2007
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=198&g2_serialNumber=2
23" - 2007
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=540&g2_serialNumber=2
26" PB - 2008
Likewise, I catch a few nice Pike with my largest to date from here being a 34"er from November, 2005. Besides that, I've caught a few others at around the 30" mark with several between 15-25". Their numbers seem to be improving as of late.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=223&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=202&g2_serialNumber=2
Other notable species I catch from here are lots of Crappies which mainly run from 9-12 inches and are best in early spring to mid-summer, and for random periods in early fall. Also, the Largemouth Bass are decent and good for action but the biggest you'll ever get from here are 12-13-14-15 inchers. I catch them year-round with the best fishing being in mid-summer and then it really HEATS UP in October.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=149&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=626&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=634&g2_serialNumber=2
The Carp are okay too and I fish for them and other non-desireable species when all of the aforementioned ones aren't biting as frequently nor being found with success.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=591&g2_serialNumber=2
As you might know, the Salt Creek is a tributary of the DesPlaines River. Although I have fished the DesPlaines a few times a year with poor success since 2005, it was not until summer 2008 when I finally figured things out over there with the assistance of some of my friends.
We fish the river in Cook county mainly for the night-time Walleyes and the Northern Pike whenever they are around. This past fall we had experienced an incredible run with the Walleyes and Sauger with several 20-inchers being caught. The largest one we got came in November and it was during a trip in which I took two friends out - both have never caught Walleye before. This outing in particular was awesome because this seldom happens for a first-ever walleye catch:
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=605&g2_serialNumber=2
about 28", probably 7-8lbs.
Likewise, we got a few other respectable fish from the river as well.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=609&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=619&g2_serialNumber=2
24" - november 2008
The DesPlaines really treated me well this past fall and was really good to fish when the preferred Salt Creek wasn't producing much for us at all. The best time to be out there was at night. I should be back on the river sometime by mid-March in search for the spring run.
Besides the Salt Creek and its larger brother, the DesPlaines River, I said I also enjoy fishing the DuPage River. On the Dupe, all I ever fish for are Smallmouth Bass. I fish anywhere from Naperville which is small skinny water, and I go as far south as Shorewood in which the river actually looks like a river.
The DuPage has pretty good fishing on a year-round basis providing if you know where to go and how to avoid all of the mid-summer eel-grass and vegetation which clogs up the river. My best times for the DuPage are in April/May, and then again in mid-summer and early fall.
Below is a sampling of what one could expect to catch on the DuPage:
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=86&g2_serialNumber=2
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=95&g2_serialNumber=3
And yeah, I mentioned the Fox River when I began this long local river introductory post . . . . I still fish the Fox River and make the effort to get out there for wades when time allows. My favorite stretches are between S. Elgin and St. Charles, Batavia, and then North Aurora.
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=190&g2_serialNumber=3
For 2009, I will be doing a few float trips down our various rivers, will continue in my pursuit of the elusive and legendary 10-pound Walleye from Salt Creek, and will be hopefully fishing the usual 100 random days which has been the norm since 2005. I also have a few new rivers on the list which I will be exploring with further frequency: the Mackinaw River near Bloomington IL, Kankakee River at the state park, and Apple River at the state park as well (FYI, beautiful water!).
Well, that's my story. About damn time there is a forum here for the other hot-spots in northern IL! :)
http://ragasmedia.com/galleries/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=117&g2_serialNumber=2
I'm sure some of you have questions so feel free to add below. I'm sure that I forgot to talk about a lot of subjects related to this post and my info.