Illinois River Fishing is Back!

For the past few years fishing in the Illinois river has been on the rise.  Local fisherman have seen an improvement in quality and quantity of white bass, crappie and bluegill.  The river has always been steady for catfish but even the bank  fishermen have seen a steady increase.  Many people attribute the increase to the great spawns that occurred in 2013 and this year because of the floods.  With the high water new habitat was created and protection for fry to have a chance to grow.   What ever the case may be don't over look the river for your next trip out on the water.  You might be surprised!   

Top 5 Pan Fishing Spots in Central Illinois

Top 5 Pan Fishing Spots in Central Illinois

Everyone loves to catch crappie and bluegills so here is our guess at the top five spots in our area.

1. Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge - Link
2. Lake Shelbyville - Link
3. Fulton County Recreation Area - Link
4. Snake Den Hollow - Link
5. Lake Bloomington - Link

All summer long these lakes should provide quality pan fishing all within about an hours drive of the Peoria area.   Before you head out on your next fishing adventure stop in Presleys Outdoors to stock up on all kinds of panfish bait and tackle.   You can always shop online at www.presleysoutdoors.com  

Lake Carlyle Crappie Fishing Report

The crappie fishing at Lake Carlyle has has been good the since the beginning of May. Anglers up and down the entire lake have been work hard the past few days weeding through short fish to make a limit of 10 fish over 10 inches.  Most of the bite has been coming from common small jigs and minnows in shallow water around 1 to 2 feet deep on the rip-rap and brush piles.  The Army Core of Engineers manage this water and have been adding brush piles for years all over most of the coves and fingers.  They have done a great job catering to the bank fishermen and boaters providing plenty of opportunities to stay on the fish.

This year the overall crappie population is on the rise but there are some concerns on the abundance of 7 to 8 inch fish and a gap in the size chain with fewer in the 9 to 10 inch range.  Only time will tell how next years crop of keeper size fish develop.  One thing is for sure, even with short fish it hard not to have fun reeling them in one after another.   CLICK HERE FOR A MAP OF HOT SPOTS 

Hooked on Fishing Bass Tournament Fundraiser May 30th

Hooked on fishing park is having a fundraiser bass tournament May 30th at the Giant Goose Ranch.  If interested in supporting the park and fishing in the tournament please contact Dan at 309-229-3560.  Spots are limited to 15 boats.  

Teams

This will be a two person team tournament that will pay out to the top two teams and the largest bass.
This events goal is to have 15 boats, for a total of 30 people.

Cost and Payout

The cost will be $600 per boat with each boat having a two person team. The payout will be as follows for a 15 team field, First place team will receive $1500, the second place team will receive $800 and the largest bass will pay $300. This event is a fundraiser for Hooked On Fishing and all boat fees are tax deductible. (Payouts based on 15 boats)

Event Information

There will be a fish fry on Friday, May 29th at Kellhers for all teams. This will be an information meeting that will provide you with details for tournament day and a draw for boat launch/release for the tournament. This event will start at 5:30 pm and conclude at 8:00 pm. There will be a few items for auction that will be available to bid on that night.

Menu: Fish, chips, slaw, drink tickets after that cash bar.

Tournament specifics

• Each boat will be allowed to weigh in 5 fish for this event.
• Fish may be culled but no dead fish can be culled.
• Each boat will designated which bass they want to be weighed for largest bass.
• Each boat must weigh a largest bass as this may be the tie breaker if weight is exactly the same for first or second place.
• Boats need to be on the water by 6:30 am
• Boat release will be at 7:00 am and all boats must be back in by 1:00 pm
• If your boat is not back in by 1:00 pm you will be docked 1pound per minute late.
• Each dead fish will be docked 1 pound per dead fish.
• Weigh in will begin at 1:15 pm
• Winner will be determined as follows:
1.Most weight -if still tied then
2.Most fish – if still tied then
3.Largest bass
• If a tie still exists then first and second place money award will be split between the teams tied for first and second.
• There will be designated games committee of three people to deal with any unusual situations that may arise and make a ruling if necessary.
• No pre-fishing will be allowed

Hookedonfishingpark.org

Sectional Results IHSA Bass Fishing

On Friday May 1, 250 High schools teams competed across the state at 22 sites in sectional bass fishing tournaments for the IHSA. The top three teams from each site qualified for the state tournament held at Carlyle Lake.   Below is a list of the sites and sectional champs.  

Emiquon Bass Fishing:

Emiquon Preserve isn't your typical public water.  It takes extra work to get a boat set up, but I promise it will pay off huge.  

To fish Emiquon you must get a free permit from Dixon Mounds Office.  Your boat cannot have a gas motor on it.  That being said, multiple good batteries and a solid trolling motor or two is a must.  Pay attention to the maps and where fishing is allowed.  Also, bank fishing is not allowed. The water is big for just a trolling motor but so are the bass.  Today in poor weather conditions and high winds we were able to boat over 50 fish.   So get out there because this is some of the best public bass fishing offered in Central Illinois 

  

IDNR Newsletter

April 2015 IDNR Newsletter