Illinois Fishing

Illinois is the state which the guide service resides in, year-round. Even though northern Illinois is very urbanized, populated and full of flat land, some fine fishing can be had, especially on the local rivers and creeks in Chicago's western suburbs. The majority of these rivers are seldom fished and these are the areas I like to take friends and guests fishing. The best thing about these areas we fish is the multi-species action we get while out on the water.

The main rivers I take people fishing to are the Fox River and its feeder creeks. The Fox River is found in the far west suburbs in the towns of South Elgin, Geneva and Batavia, IL. One other place we often go fishing to is the DuPage River in Naperville, Warenville, Bolingbrook, and Shorewood, IL. The final area we service is the Salt Creek, 5 minutes from the home-base in Western Springs, Westchester and Hinsdale, IL.

We fish the rivers off shore and by wading. These rivers are very shallow, which makes angler access very easy. The prime species we fish for are Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Crappie.

On each river we fish, we are all about 100% Catch and Release!

Here's the general background of each river we fish.

Salt Creek

I began fishing the Salt Creek four years ago when I discovered that people were catching Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. The first year and a half was tough learning, and ever since, I have mastered this waterway. The Salt Creek is a stream that was severely polluted in the 1960's, 70's and 80's. At one time in the 1970's, this stream was completely closed off from human use. Today, the Salt Creek has much better water quality but still has few problems with storm-water run-off, and minor human pollution. However, this creek has recovered to the point where one angler can catch 20" Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass and numerous Crappie. This area is not an easy place to fish for the beginner and expert alike. This is due to many areas of unproductive water, tough access, and possibly hard wading.

The Salt Creek is frequented most because it is 5 minutes from our front door. After an outing, I rarely leave disappointed.

The Salt Creek fishery is dominated by Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill and Carp. Many other species are found as well such as Walleye, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish, Creek Chubs and other various minnow-species. The most productive Salt Creek water are areas that have structure for fish. These areas are riffles, pools, eddies, gravel bars, fallen timber and deeper holes. What I enjoy most about this waterway is the species diversity you can find.

In the 2005 and 2006 seasons, 100% of the fish caught were taken with artificial lures worked on spinning gear. I wade this creek about 90% of the time.

Here's a sampling of fish one would expect to catch.

< Most Largemouth Bass in the creek will average 10-14" in length. Few will be larger than 14" and those fish are the trophies.

Largemouth Bass are the most abundant gamefish species in the creek. Their average size is nothing spectacular but we often catch fish at the 14-15" range, which seems to be their maximum size. Salt Creek Largemouth can be taken on a variety of crankbaits, minnowbaits, small spinnerbaits, in-line spinners, jigs and plastics. They are found throughout spring, summer and fall. The creek also holds a small population of Smallmouth Bass which underwent extensive stocking in 1996-97. To this day, their numbers have been depleting and catching a Smallmouth is a rarity, but not impossible.

< Crappies can be found all along the creek anywhere where slack-water is present, as well as fallen timber & deeper pools.

The Salt Creek panfish population is dominated by Crappie. Crappie are schooling fish, so if you suddenly catch one, you will find others nearby. Crappie prefer quiet slack-water areas with timber or forms of vegetation. The creek holds plenty areas such as this. We catch these fish during spring and summer on jigs with small plastics, minnows and small crankbaits. Salt Creek Crappies vary in size and run anywhere from 4-12". The biggest that have been caught range anywhere from 9-11". In a few years, a trophy fishery will be had.

< Walleye are only listed as "present" in the creek and are commonly caught in Spring and Fall as the water temperatures are cooler. During these times, we strictly fish for them and nothing else.

A fine population of Walleye exist in the creek. This waterway is underrated for Walleye because many people wouldn't expect to find them in its murky waters. The Salt Creek has great structure for these fish. These areas are deeper runs with current, hard bottom and gravel bars. Salt Creek walleyes are most active in late winter, spring and throughout fall. Their ideal water temperatures are anywhere from 40-65 degrees. It is unknown whether these walleyes reproduce in the creek. It is known that they migrate up the creek through the DesPlaines River and migrate downstream from the 500acre impoundment, Busse Lake. These walleyes can be taken on various Rapala crankbaits and minnowbaits, 3" jig and twister combos and small swimbaits.

< Northern Pike are available as well, but in this river system, they're rare, but are still found during the right times. Spring and Fall are their peak times.

The Salt Creek is also a home to other species as well. This final section involves species diversity. I often have a mixed bag outing while fishing the creek. The other fish found in Salt Creek are Common Carp which are very common to catch. They average 5-15lbs and provide the angler with light spinning tackle a challenge to land. Another species in the creek are Channel Catfish. They range in size anywhere from 2-10lbs. They are often caught accidentally while Bass fishing. The same can be said for Northern Pike. We've had quite a few surprises with them in 2005, which the biggest being 34" in length and just barely over 10lbs. other fish that are caught regularly are Creek Chubs and Bluegills. These fish are regularly caught while fishing for Bass and Crappies.

DuPage River

We began fishing the DuPage River midway through the 2005 summer season. Since then, we've stuck to this river when we have clients who want MAD action. The DuPage River is an overlooked area by many fishermen and is a "gem" to the local Smallmouth Hunters living in Chicago's western suburbs.

The DuPage River has had its share of water quality problems in the past but now, it's living up to it's repuation as a lively stream of fish. With numerous water protection agencies and fishing organizations protecting this river from future disaster, the fishing is excellent for its main fish, the Smallmouth Bass.

< Many of the Smallmouth I catch on the DuPage run about 12-14". There are many large fish the further south you go.

Smallmouth Bass are the main target of ours while fishing the DuPage River. The DuPage has prime riverine structure for these fish such as fallen timber, deeper pools, riffles and runs, and hard rock bottom. The DuPage River has a large population of Smallmouth Bass and they are most abundant of all fish species. Their average size is anywhere from 8-12" but many large fish are present as well as many little dinks. The areas we frequent the most are in Naperville and Bolingbrook, IL. DuPage River Smallmouth Bass can be taken on many baits and lures, but the best baits are those that resemble baitfish and crayfish. Examples of these baits are jigs and twisters, tubes and crawtubes. The DuPage River is a very easy river to learn and many new anglers I take have an enjoyable outing.

Fox River

The Fox River is the final area we cover in Northern Illinois. Some areas on this river will have you amazed at their beauty while others will have rush hour traffic passing by or industrial buildings along its banks. Whether fishing urban or more secluded areas, a wading trip on this river is always worth an effort.

The main species we target on this river are Smallmouth Bass. Even though I mainly catch Smallmouth Bass, many other fish can be found as well, such as Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Crappie, Carp, Pike, Walleye and Musky.

Smallmouth Bass are plentiful and are aggressive feeders on the Fox River. Smallmouth Bass can be taken in spring, summer and fall and are caught on many lures. A few popular lures we use for Fox River smallies are jigs and twisters, tubes, spinnerbaits, topwater, and in-line spinners.

Some favorite areas of mine to target and to take friends fishing to are in South Elgin, Geneva, Batavia and North Aurora, IL. The Fox also has its fair share of feeder creeks and smaller tributaries which hold fish as well. There are tons of angling opportunities to be had on this river.