Guys - Just curious......not looking for anyone to give up their hot spots, but I'm very curious to know what the bass or pike/musky fishing is like in the northern IL area. I'm very possibly heading there for work this upcoming summer, and curious if I'll be able to get use out of a 18' bass boat, or if I should consider selling before the move. Are there bodies of water I can run this boat on? What is the fishing like? Are there fishing clubs/tournaments up there? I've been spoiled in NY with Erie, St. Lawrence, Champlain, Oneida, etc.......I'm curious if there is any really good fishing I can plan on in the Chicago area. Any thoughts would be appreciated. ~Matt
I have no personal experience, but there are good bass and muskie waters in northern IL from what I've heard. There is also some good muskie waters in northern IN and WI. You also won't be too far from some good places to fish in southern MI. I may or may not know some places. Lake St Clair is also a short trip away and has world class smallmouth fishing.
You got a boat...?? I'll give you the skinny on plenty of solid lakes within a 1 hour or so drive of the Schaumburg area. Bass are plentiful.. and I just began to fish some of the local tournaments this past year... did very well after more than a decade hiatus... Some good Muskie waters too.. but I typically don't fish for them... too busy chasing smallies and largies to care. If you need a day long chum to help pass the time on the water... I'll be more than happy to help.
Thanks Vito.........I actually made the drive from Chicago to Livonia a couple of weeks ago when out there for work, I know St Clair isn't much further and I'm sure I'll end up out there at some point. I'm sure I'll also get up to Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay at some point too if I don't sell the big boat first. I'm just curious if there are bodies of water within an hour or so of the Hoffman Estates area that have good fishing though. It doesn't look like Lake Michigan in the Chicago area has any bays really, and I'm not really hot on the idea of main lake fishing with an 18' boat, I know how bad Ontario and Champlain can get.....I'm sure it's the same out there. I don't want to unload the Ranger at this point, but if there aren't some really good places to fish that I can run it at somewhat frequently........I don't think it makes sense to hang onto it and have to deal with storage, maintenance, etc for the few years I'll be out there. I'm hoping someone can convince me to keep it.......
Mike - That's what I'm looking for. Yes, I've got two boats, a small 12' turned into a mini bass boat, and also an 18.5' Ranger that I fish tournaments out of. I'll always keep the small boat, but was hoping to find some spots that can help me to justify keeping the big boat too. If there are spots to fish, I'll keep it.......and I'd love to hook up at some point to fish when I get out there. I'd much rather fish with friends than alone, that's what it's about for me.
Matt...I can keep an eye on the Ranger and make sure she gets plenty of water time. No need to thank me.
You will have no problem finding lakes! And if you like ice fishing we have great lakes for that too! Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
How far north will you be Matt? Illinois has a lot of fairly good lakes, but most of my experience is all in the southern part. One problem I run into with my Ranger are horsepower restrictions. Illinois DNR likes to put 25 hp limits on several lakes instead of setting a speed limit. If you don't mind hauling the boat a few hours, Lake of the Ozarks is EXCELLENT in the spring and fall, just keep an eye out for the pleasure boaters. Also Kentucky lake is favorite among most down here, but I haven't found the time to make it there yet.
Matt - I've got a buddy who is huge into Musky fishing this area, specifially the Chain O' Lakes which is about an hour or less drive from Hoffman. I'm sure I could get you guys together and he could show you around if you end up here. As Mike said, bass are plentiful in the area. Both Lake Geneva and Delevan in Southern WI are full of both great smallies and largemouth and about an hour's drive from our office.
Good info guys. Are the lakes up there HP restricted in the Chicagoland area? Am I going to have problems finding places to launch a boat with a 150 on the back? Germ - I have been lake trout and salmon fishing before. Tons of fun, but not really my thing and you really need a very different boat setup than mine to do it right and safely. Anything over 2-3' rollers gets scary pretty quick in a bass boat, and that's a calm day at times when main lake fishing in the Great Lakes.
Central Illinois has some pretty good lakes too. You have to be careful on the weekends tho', because they fill up with citiots from Chicago. Take note: A lot of people from Central Il head south for better fishing and the S IL folks head out of state... But if you like stunted fish, crowded lakes and muddy waters, you'll find plenty of fishing around Hoffman Estates.
Head up to the straights of mackinaw in fall, some great salmon fishing and you do not need down riggers and waves are not bad at all.
^Yep. So I can spot 'em from a mile away! ...and you have to admit, I may have been raised within a stone's throw of Chicago.... but it never took with me..... and I was smart enough to move away. (tho' I did pick a chicagoland driving habit (AKA speeding) and the colorful vocabulary. heh)
