Mazonia/Braidwood Area

[thereal006]

Does anyone here go the Mazonia strip mines, or the Braidwood colling lake?

[fishing3]

Interesting....I used to love going there when they first opened about 15 years ago! I would bring my canoe on top of my jeep....and a trolling motor. I also brought with me a small four wheel cart...and would strap the canoe to the cart...and walk it back thru the trails to the back lakes....(I heard now that there are roads all the way back? Is that true?)

I would fish for Bass and Crappie and it was awesome! It was complete wilderness.....no houses...barely any people. and in early spring the crappies were AWESOME! Never really did real well on Bass there. One of the coolest things there was the GAR......They would SNAP at our Crappie Bobbers!!! They would come up like prehistoric creatures....and Snap Snap Snap at our bobbers and SCARE THE CRAP out of us:eek:
http://www.floridaconservation.org/fishing/Fishes/gar.html


I'd love to hear more about Mazonia!!!

[thereal006]

Ah, your referring to the (now forgotten) Mazonia of 20 years ago. Where every kind of fish was plentiful. Shortly after the state took over the strip mines (about 10 - 15 years ago?) the public rushed in, people where notorious for taking home full stringers, and those stringers were full of 3 pound bass. Then there were the people taking home the 6 and 7 pounders that were in the lake.

The only fish in there that remained strong were the Gar. They have low fishing pressure and plenty of food. don't get me wrong, these strip mines are still healthy bodies of water, and the landscape is still stunning and secluded, but there are 2 full ramp, parking, and bathroom launches. and two more smaller launches, in the north unit alone. The South unit it were it is at now, because its mostly dirt roads leading into it.

Right now, the north unit (where you probably went) receives HEAVY fishing pressure, and theres still plenty of people who exceed the creel limits, and take home big bass. The only people who catch fish there are the people who have fished those waters long and hard, and have learned how it works.

I live in Downers Grove, but my brother lives in Diamond, right by Braidwood. I love those lakes, they are the best place to relax and enjoy nature. Ive had some great experiences with Gar, and those fish amaze me. In the last 3 years of going there (at least twice a month) Ive probably caught about 20 bass. a dozen crappie, and 5 gar.

So if anyone else here still fishes these waters, help a brother out.

[AtitAgain07]

I hear ya!!! I use to fish that place at least oneday a week......The fishing might not be as easy but there are still plenty of good bass in there. I know the first boat ramp and the last boat ramp like the back of me hand! I miss that place dearly so we gotta go hit it up one full day!!