By far the largest water for fishing in Illinois, Lake Michigan offers the … It may be 125 years old, but the .30-30 Winchester retains its status thanks to modern loads. I've had days when I've caught a limit of nice fish and been back at the dock in 45 minutes.". The average hybrid will be about 5 to 6 pounds, according to Jones, but 10- and 12-pound fish are caught there regularly. There is a 20-fish per day limit, with no more than three of the fish over 17 inches. Clinton Lake hybrids have gone down in recent years, but below the spillway in Salt Creek, good numbers of escapees have gathered, and they provide anglers with an opportunity to take advantage of numbers packed into a small area. Zoom Worm Bass Soft Plastic. REND LAKE The numbers of hybrid stripers is down from past years at Rend Lake, but the size of the fish is up. Anglers trolling the flats near the marina area report fish ranging from 2-pound hybrids to 22-pound pure striped bass. Fishing in Illinois is HOT! For Striped Bass, we tend to use the patterns below, adjusting to where the fish are striking in the water column: Clouser Minnows in Blue and White, Chartreuse and White, and Red and White in size 2 to 6 and vary size weights to … He uses a map and depthfinder to locate long, sloping flats. ", This Randolph County lake has a 17-inch minimum length limit and a three. Photo by Gary Thomas. Fred Hunter has been fishing for Rend Lake's stripers since they were stocked. District fisheries biologist Mike Jones said the DNR has created a good population of big fish in the lake. Biologists began an aggressive stocking program to restore the population for this 5,000-acre De Witt County cooling lake in the mid-1990s and today it features a rebounding striper population that is getting stronger each year. You'll also get to learn new fishing techniques and try the exclusive fishing gear, all pioneered by Starved Rock Guide Service. Zoom trick worms are 6.75 inches long and come with 20 per pack. Now it's back. For more information, call (815) 942-6352. "You can catch them trolling, but I prefer casting. April and May are the top months. In our experience squid and eel have proven more successful for trolling than any other baits. Surveys indicate that numerous stripers between 13-19 inches are abundant and 15-inch fish should be the most commonly caught by anglers. There also is a 50-horsepower limit on the lake. While the best fishing is at the north end of the pool near Fulton, nice catches also come from near wing dams throughout the upper half of the pool, according to LaJeone. A number of launches are located throughout, and Sangchris Lake State Park has excellent facilities. The lake also has an abundant shad population, which will further encourage growth. State Record: 20 lbs/.32 oz (1993) Best Lures: large minnows, spoons, spinners, crank baits, jigs, crayfish and lures that that look like a shad. "I just cast it out and let it fall, then raise my rod and give it a couple of pops and let it fall again," the Benton resident said. Miller said the best fishing is on the north side of the center dyke, which anglers call "striper alley." "Fishing stays good from June until it gets cool," Hunter continued. "They definitely are an underutilized species here, but there is a small group of anglers that fish for stripers, and they make nice catches each year.". But that’s not the only draw that makes fishers swarm to Lake Shelbyville. During the spring, concentrate on transitional areas such as bridges where migration is constricted. Knowing the best time of day to fish for bass helps you select the bass fishing lures that will be the most productive. Striped bass and hybrid striped bass can also be caught from the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Oklahoma is blessed with some of the best striped bass fishing in America. We'll tell you nine great Illinois fisheries - one river and eight lakes - where you'll find good striper and hybrid striper fishing. The newest state record is a 21 pounds 7.2 ounces hybrid striped bass, caught in Lake Bloomington. "Stripers can make long runs. Big hybrids migrate out of the Illinois River and stack up in the tailwaters of the Wilmington dam. Once Hunter locates stripers, he uses a specially made slab spoon to catch them. While at the spillay, caught small striped bass, gaspergou, and our fishing buddy caught a nice size Buffalo but did not get video. Tactical Bassin - Bass Fishing Blog. Lake Charleston is managed by the City of Charleston. This 2.165-acre Sangamon and Christian County lake has a three-fish per day limit. You can get in on the red-hot action on these nine waters. You need a yearly access permit to be on the lake, or you can buy a one-day $10 permit. There is a huge year-class of fish weighing from 10 to 13 pounds, which is the average catch. The fish usually hit them when they are not moving or are sinking. There are basically three times during a 24-hour period that are usually the best time to fish for bass. A few pure stripers in the 30- to 40-pound-class were also collected. "There isn't an abundance of fish larger than 20 pounds in there, but there are some, and several get taken each year.". "I look for long points that stick out into the lake, and if they have rocks or underwater stumps, that's even better," he said. As a result, the 12,500 acres of water can boast one of the strongest populations of hybrids in the state. Enjoy canned venison warmed or use it in stews, chili, and other hot dishes. Most are between 2 and 4 pounds, and catches of 30 or more fish are common. "Position yourself near the dam in early evening, and wait to see disturbances on the water. With its innovative gas system and shooter-friendly features, the Savage Renegauge semiauto... Simplify breakfast or brunch for a crowd by making this savory venison chorizo quiche recipe. Because striped bass are such a difficult fish to figure out, most anglers don't bother fishing for them. ATA 2021 NeDuring this video from the Archery Trade Association's New Product Premiere showcase, Bowhunter's TV Mike Carney visited with Evan Williams, pro staff manager for Hoyt Archery, to learn about the new RX-5, RX-5 Ultra, Ventum and Ventum 33 bows.w Product - Hoyt. HHA Sports releases new Tetra LR and LRZ for 2021 — ATA Show. District fisheries biologist Barry Newman said the water in the 2,000-acre lake gets too warm and the catch rate drops dramatically during summer months. "The hybrid stripers in the lake average between 6 and 9 pounds, and 12- to 15-pounders aren't uncommon," said Jones. JACKSONVILLE LAKE This 450-acre lake has a great population of hybrid stripers. Still, most of the catches are incidental by anglers fishing for other fish. Pittsfield Lake has a 25-horsepower limit and a permit is required. They'll be on the flats after shad. Fall sees hybrids corralling baitfish off points, over humps and bars, and in the backs of coves. Schott starts fishing Otter Lake's flats in late March and continues through early June, using jerkbaits and lipless crankbaits. Popular Coastal Spots. In addition, Egypt holds a state record for a 20-pound, 1/32-ounce hybrid striped bass, although the hybrids are very rare these days. LAKE CHARLESTON According to the 2005 Status of Striped Bass/Hybrid Striped Bass Fishery in Illinois, numerous angler reports of hybrids up to 12 pounds have been tabulated in Coles County's Lake Charleston. Fish up to 12 pounds are possible. "Look for shallow flats close to the channels," Hunter said. HYBRID STRIPED BASS (Wipers) At-a-Glance. They hang out where stripers are feeding to pick up the shad that stripers miss.". Clinton Lake has a combination of pure and hybrid stripers, and they range in size dramatically. Waverly's Earl Shoemaker caught this 22-pound striped bass on Sangchris Lake a few years ago. Scientific Name: Morone saxatilis X Morone Chrysops. Boaters are limited to 25-horsepower motors. Boat ramps are available, as are picnic and park facilities. "In the spring, I usually go to the north end of the lake and use cut bait," Wells said. Stripers occupy the middle parts of lakes and feed on shad - especially the larger shad that are too large for other predators to feed on. Points, humps and saddles can also concentrate fish. All striped bass must be at least 17 inches with a 3 fish limit. Winter striped bass fishing is a simple affair and easy to learn. Ten-pounders are common. Girard angler Rod Schott fishes both Sangchris and Otter lakes. BALDWIN LAKE Only a handful of anglers are aware of how good the striper fishing is at Baldwin Lake. The anglers who have learned how to catch them are reaping the benefits of a great sportfishing opportunity. OTTER LAKE Otter Lake surveys show stripers there weighing up to 20 pounds. Made the run to Oklahoma to the Lower Ilinois River for Rainbow Trout and Striped Bass. There is a 10-fish limit on all stripers, and only three can exceed 17 inches. It is about 45-miles southeast of St. Louis. If they're feeding on 3- to 4-inch shad, use similar-sized lures. Advancements in anchor systems, electronics and trolling motors have made fishing boat control... Few summer fishing experiences in the Midwest can match targeting predators herding baitfish.... Give a Gift   Call Angelo's Outdoor Sport Center for river conditions at (815) 476-7524. However, he pointed out that state-record size pure stripers weighing 35 to 43 pounds live in the Grundy County lake. "Six-pound fish are common and there are times when I've caught a limit of fish almost one cast after another.". 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