Provided
Coho action building in spurts in southern Lake Michigan (more lakers on the Chicago lakefront), plenty of ice fishing remaining, even with the warmup, and rivers opening up lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.
Charlie Gimmler messaged the photo of a 15-inch crappie at the top and this:
Caught on a fathead in 8’ of water Friday morning in Lake County, with still 8-10 inches of ice.
BRAIDWOOD OPENER
Largemouth bass on opening day at Braidwood Lake.
Provided by Pete Banach
Pete Banach posted the photo above and this:
We did really well out there today. Over 100 fish. LOTS of little ones but 16 keepers. Best 5lbs. 1 at 41/4 handful of 3 1/2s and. Few 2s. Great day.
Provided
Despite the lengthy frigid and snowy weather, there is a good amount of ice fishing going on around Chicago area on building ice, including some deep-water action for whitefish on Green Bay, for this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.
I know more than a few of us wondered if deep-water fishing for whitefish on Green Bay would even happen this year, especially after the dramatic rescue of anglers from an ice floe the wind broke off last week. The answer, with the extended cold snap, is yes.
Fraser Semple messaged this (a fuller report and a photo are in the Green Bay section):
Provided by Justin Lederer
[Slight update in the LAKEFRONT report.]
Two threads the real start for ice fishing around Chicago is near and lakefront perch continues on lead this sprawling raw-fie Midwest Fishing Report.
While giving his lakefront perch report,
Arden Katz said about inland fishing, “By the end of the week, I will be ice fishing.”
He spoke the thoughts of many.
Justin Lederer emailed the photo at the top as part of his report from Mille Lacs on Monday from McQuoids Inn in Isle, Minn.:
Jon Melone from Cary Illinois with a nice 31 1/2” northern pike also caught last week
Provided
Lakefront perch and fishable ice moving closer to the Chicago area lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.
Mike Norris sent the photo at the top from fishing the Green Lake area in Wisconsin last week. He texted:
They bite best on the heavy overcast days.
LAKEFRONT PERCH
Perch still good for boat fisherman fishing 105st area and farther xl fatheads best
As Sleziak noted, the center of the action remains the Calumet system and the South Side slips. Security varies in its dealings with shore anglers on the private property areas around the South Side slips, but in general be prepared to not be allowed to fish the private property areas. The small piece of Steelworkers Park at the eastern end of 87th is public land.