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Posts: 122
Location: Kenosha, Wi. | Came into work today at Gander Mt. and one of the managers asked me if I heard about a possible new state record from the Fox Chain? Figured that if anyone would know it would be on this board. Just curious as I had not heard or seen anything on here. Thanks for any info! |
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Posts: 317
| I know of 2 likely fish that broke the sate record barrier from the chain. I netted a very obese 49.25" from The Fox Chain last spring for my tournamant partner. Weight calc put it very near 40#. My buddy Sal got a 51.25 this spring from the Chain, very thick fish as well. |
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Posts: 146
Location: where the fish are... | personally i dont think you will see a state record come from the chain but thats just me |
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| I know of 2- 50's this season from the chain. Both friends of mine--seen the photo's. Fish were a little on the thin size and no girth measurements were taken. Still I wouls say both were 30# class fish and if caught early in spring before the spawn or late fall I would see no reason why this length of fish couldn't come close to that 37-40# class. I think the chain has a real shot at the state record, now is the time--until Ice up to get out there and take a shot---from here on out it's mostly fishermen and the colder it get's the fewer boats you will see. I'm on my way out there this weekend and hopefully and most weekends from here on out. Good Luck JIM |
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| a state record won't come in late august/early september
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Posts: 327
| Although I've never seen a 50 in the Chain , I know there's more than the few that have been caught . I have personally fought and lost a fish that was HUGE , last fall on a sucker . I'm not too concerned about getting a record , but would love to bang a fatty outta there , that sewer owes us !!! If any of you are out there and see a black Tuffy with a Cubs sticker on the windshield stop and say hi !! Maybe we could figure out a plan to help each other out !! Good luck !! And if I do get the state record .... I will let it swim away anyway !!! |
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Posts: 341
| Why wouldn't you keep it the net and call the DNR for an offical record? If she's hurting let her go! You don't have to kill it to go down in the books.
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| I'm thinking theres another lake in Illinois that will put out a new record well before the chain  |
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Location: Des Moines IA | Just look where 4 of the last 5 state records have come from .......... Somebody will hook Shamu on the deep side, of the deep trees, nobody fishes out there ....... |
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Posts: 327
| AHHH ye ole Triangle o Death !!!! ARGHHH ye all better be scared in those waters !! I've seen what she can do , make ya crap yeself I'm tellin ya !! |
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Posts: 327
| Never thought about calling the DNR , they're most likely right around the corner anyway . Other than that , not the biggest deal in the world to me . If I catch a fish that big I'll be happy enough to just have my picture taken with her !! I wouldn't mind usung my new gaf though !!! LOL !!! |
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Posts: 305
Location: Illinois | 10 years ago I would have agreed that a state record wasn't possible out of the Chain but now I'm not so sure. The last five years the fish have gotten blockier than those long, skinny Chain fish from years ago. I don't doubt othery state fisheries have better big fish potential but the Chain is better today than ever for bigger fish imo.
Edited by husky_jerk 9/11/2007 4:44 PM
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Posts: 76
| What is the state record for Illinois? |
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Posts: 41
| My bet is Lake Carroll in northwest Illinois. I have seen many large fish in there and to top it off not much pressure on ski's. |
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Location: Des Moines IA | 38 lbs, 8 ozs. Came out of the Shelbyville spillway |
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Posts: 129
| I saw a picture of a musky from lake carroll a few years ago that was huge. It had to be close to the state record.Also, I think lake carroll is stocked with leech lakers. |
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Posts: 317
| I do not have any doubt that Gordy's 49.25" was over 38.8# No doubt at all. I seen a fish that was well over that length this summer swimming around with a 20"+ carp T-boned in her jaws. I'm guessing 52"+. They are out there.
Edited by MuskyStalker 9/11/2007 8:59 PM
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Posts: 2024
| I can think of about 7-8 lakes right now that probably have a state record swimming in them. Hit 'em hard in the spring and that 38-8 record will fall... soon.
Matter of fact, I'm sure it already has but this day and age most (muskie) folks will be letting them go. I know I would... |
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| muskystalker- 49.25" that "no doubt was over 38.8 lbs?" In the spring? Come on, it would have had to have at least a 25" girth..... and then some to be pushing 40 lbs. |
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| I would love to see the 49.25" that weighed almost 40 lbs in the spring, does anyone have any pictures??? |
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| I would love to see the 49.25" that weighed almost 40 lbs in the spring, does anyone have any pictures???
here's a pic of a fish Joel Michel caught from the Fox Chain in spring of '06.
it was 49.5" long, no idea on the girth or weight, but she was fat.
(06-04-08 Joel Michel.jpg)
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 06-04-08 Joel Michel.jpg (116KB - 395 downloads)
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| looks to be about 24 or so, right around 35.5 pounds |
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| There was a 51.5" X 24.5" CPR'd in Carroll last October. These fish are all pretty thick. |
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| Definatly a nice fish, my guess would be about 24" also... |
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Posts: 8787
| Certainly there are a few really nice fish in the Fox Chain. But that doesn't automatically mean it is capable of producing a record class fish, nor does it mean that it will ever become a trophy fishery. One has to consider the location, the forage base, the water chemistry, and many other factors. Most notably: Many of the big fish you see coming out of the Fox Chain lately are the same fish being caught again and again. Certainly a testament to C&R right there, but those 2 50" fish aren't going to live forever. |
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| EA - it's all relative. No it won't be a trophy fishery but it can and likely does hold a state record class fish or two. As do a few other bodies of water in IL. The IL record is not that high currently. IMO, Kinkaid is the strongest contender for IL record class fish. |
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Location: Des Moines IA | Somewhere on here there's a video of the DNR on Shabbona, they netted a 44 incher, that went 30 pounds. That lake has had several state records come out of it, but I do think there are potential state records in alot of Illinois lakes. Could come from the Fox, or Evergreen, maybe even Shelbyville, who knows which one til it actually happens ...... |
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Posts: 146
Location: where the fish are... | heee...... lakes i dunno |
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| I saw a picture of a 50"/23" caught and released at 115 acre Independence Grove last week. Here's a link to the pic; I can't tell if the measurements are legit:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb131/wingsworld1/50inchmuskie.j...
If they can grow that big there, I'd have to believe that all of the other, much larger lakes mentioned are producing fish in the same class. |
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Posts: 317
| Guest, if you look at the stats, the current state record was only 48". Gordy's fish was thicker and more obese than even Joels fish. Sals 51.25" from this spring was comperable to Joels fish-and longer. Like nate said, the state record has fallen several times over, it's just that the fish werent killed. I also know of a Pike this spring that was 2# heavier than the current state record of 26#. IL has some big fish! |
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Posts: 2024
| MuskyStalker - 9/12/2007 10:32 PM
the current state record was only 48".
Correction, 50 3/4"... |
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| Nooblar - 9/12/2007 8:43 PM
I saw a picture of a 50"/23" caught and released at 115 acre Independence Grove last week. Here's a link to the pic; I can't tell if the measurements are legit:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb131/wingsworld1/50inchmuskie.j...
If they can grow that big there, I'd have to believe that all of the other, much larger lakes mentioned are producing fish in the same class.
nice.
i guess that makes the Whoppa 70" then? |
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Posts: 146
Location: where the fish are... | are you serious that guy caught that from shore??? thats insane |
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| That fish is not 50 inches...
One would think with it being dead and all they could ACTUALLY get a real measurement.
Nice fish, but not a 50 |
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| I think most of the lakes mentioned here including the chain can and probably do hold a record. #38.8 is very large but a true 50-51incher caught at the right time of the season can get to that 40# mark. Once that record gets to over 40# then you are for sure going to need a special lake and a Very Special fish to beat it. |
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Posts: 51
| From Guest - "a state record won't come in late august/early september"
Well, the last 3 times that the Iowa state record has been broken, have all been in August and before Sept. 10 - The last one to break it was 50# - Not all fish are skinny in the summer and fat in the late fall. |
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Posts: 317
| esox50 - 9/12/2007 11:23 PM
MuskyStalker - 9/12/2007 10:32 PM
the current state record was only 48".
Correction, 50 3/4"...
You are right Nate, I was thinking of the 43# 48" fish netted from Evergreen this spring by the DNR. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | MuskieTom - 9/13/2007 1:13 AM
are you serious that guy caught that from shore??? thats insane
You say this as if catching muskies from shore is impossible? I dont think that linked picture fish is 50, but its still a nice fish
Edited by Pointerpride102 9/13/2007 9:30 AM
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shorefish.jpg (63KB - 187 downloads)
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Posts: 227
Location: Southeast Wisconsin | How can anyone say for sure or not if a body of water holds a state record fish? How do you come to this conclusion?? |
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| that second fish photo from shore is not bigger than the first.
The second one might be 42-43 inches.
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Probably right.....nevertheless, Big fish can be caught from shore......Even a state record |
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Posts: 2017
| MUSKEEZ - 9/13/2007 7:55 AM
From Guest - "a state record won't come in late august/early september"
Well, the last 3 times that the Iowa state record has been broken, have all been in August and before Sept. 10 - The last one to break it was 50# - Not all fish are skinny in the summer and fat in the late fall.
Especially when they have a 5 pound bird stuck in their throat!...Our state record is a joke! |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | Okay, so serious question. With the weights of the fish at different times of the year, how much would say the weight of a fish caught in late March/ Early April verses in October with the same measurements differ?
My reason for thinking this, is how much would the fish full of eggs weigh verses a fish that is putting on the feedbag? Are eggs more dense therefore would make a fish weigh more? I have no idea, but something to think about.
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| The fish in the fall don't "PUT ON THEIR FEEDBAGS" they actually eat less in the fall, their body temps are just low and they don't metabolize food as fast, plus in the fall some of that weight is egg mass already.
HULBERT |
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Posts: 341
| Once in band practice I caught 53 lbs of IL fury, but because I do this for the love of the game I put it back. I'm a hopless romantic I guess and took one for the team 
CALL DNR, DOCUMENT, MAKE IL PROUD!
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Posts: 186
Location: West Chicago, IL | FYI for everyone, the Illinois state reocord from Shelbyville (river actually) and the longest fish ever caught in Illinois (Snake Den) were both CAUGHT FROM SHORE! |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | HULBERT - 9/13/2007 9:38 AM
The fish in the fall don't "PUT ON THEIR FEEDBAGS" they actually eat less in the fall, their body temps are just low and they don't metabolize food as fast, plus in the fall some of that weight is egg mass already.
HULBERT
I realize that Mike, just saying that for the purpose of discussion. I thought about the eggs in the fall as well, but seeing as they aren't fully developed yet, I would think that they would be heavier in the spring.
That being said, I'm just wondering as far as density goes, would a fish in pre spawn mode be heavier than a fish that just had big meal. |
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| In May of 2006 in Illinois I released a post spawn fish while fishing from shore that was 54" and an estimated girth of 24. Estimates of the weight are 35 - 40 lbs. Could it have been a record? Yes, it was very close. I have seen pics of documented 40 pounders that looked smaller than this fish. But the only way to tell would have been to kill the fish and I decided to release her instead. I'm not interested in the glory to feed my ego, I just wanted to have a shot at her again when her tummy is full of eggs. Maybe a friend or someone else will catch her again and treat her the same. If they do, I could only hope to be the net man and photographer!!! Anyway, the replica from Joe Fittante looks awesome in my office!!! Share the resource and good luck this fall!!!!! |
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| Yes Todd that was a great fish and probably a new record, I hope to catch again even bigger. |
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Posts: 146
Location: where the fish are... | i never said catching a fish was impossible from shore, just crazy |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Yeah, I'll give you that! LOL! |
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| Lake Carroll could DEFINATELY do it . Especially if there was a more defined muskie stocking program. That lake is deep enough thats for sure. I luckily own land out there so i can fish it. The new fishing club prez seems to be on top of things for the fishery as a whole. |
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Posts: 138
Location: Utah | I'm an Illinois native (Antioch) via a 22 year military career transplanting me in Utah. I was raised on Channel Lake just outside of Antioch. Only time I see this area is on short visits back home. I haven't fished anywhere in Illinois for over 35 years.... So, I'm a bit curious about this entire topic. You folks talk about the Fox is that the lake or the river? Next, question: Has Channel lake, Lake Catherine, Petitie Lake, or Lake Marie ever produced any reasonably sized Muskies? Thanks. |
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| Yes K2 we are talking about the Fox Chain of Lakes, and it has produced a few near and over 50. Last year the IDNR stocked it with 3,000 muskies in October, and the baitfish are plentiful. Historically skinny Fox Chain fish are now looking chunky. You need to check it out when you visit, call the Big Goomba Rich Gallagher, our Fox River Valley Club President and resident Fox Chain Guide. He or one of our other club members would be glad to take you out. We hold a Challunge on the Chain Tournament each Spring and Fall, so if you can make the Fall October 27 event, even better!
Steve |
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Posts: 138
Location: Utah | muskyboy - 9/13/2007 9:06 PM We hold a Challunge on the Chain Tournament each Spring and Fall, so if you can make the Fall October 27 event, even better!
Steve
Hmmmm....we just may have to consider a road trip sometime in the future. My relatives are still residing in Antioch. Maybe, just maybe....pondering the possiblilities. |
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Posts: 317
| Those fish I mentioned came from the northern Fox chain. I know Tuffy's fish was an absolute sow too. |
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Posts: 68
Location: South side | Have you seen the State Record in the Lake Shelbyville visitor center? I have and it looks small for a 38lb 8oz Terrible Mount. And I have yet to find anyone that knows the girth. And it was caught by a guy walleye fishing The Spillway with 2 Hooks. I know of 2 Fish that would of beat that state record. One Caught by me 5/31/03, (51 x 23) And One Caught by Kim Huckstead 54 x 24 A Few months later. Both Release. Four Years a Go at the Lake Shelbyville Directors Tournament. The DNR guys from across the state were staying at Eagle Creek Resort. And I had a Chance to talk to them all about were the they Felt the next State record will come from They all Agreed Lake Shelbyville. But they also said the fattest fish come from Otter Lake.
Nick N.
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| 51X23 isn't even close to 38 lbs......... |
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Posts: 41
| Alot of the weight depends on the forage base of the lake. What are they eating. Young of the year panfish or 10" shad. I know that Lake Carroll Has a lot of really large shad in it over 10 inches. These make the muskies fatter than young of the year panfish. But I am sure that egg mass has something to do with breaking the record. Illinois is on the right track thats for sure. |
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Posts: 1
| I THINK THE NEW STSTE RECORD WILL COME FROM KINCAID OR SHABBONA |
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Posts: 720
| I will agree with the guy posting about Otter some real fat buggers in that lake.
Dave |
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Posts: 341
| Just adding some photo evidence on seasonal girth and size timelines for Fox Chain record potential.
493/4x24 July 3rd 2003
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Fox chain 2003 bigin (39KB - 355 downloads)
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| anyone that doubts the fox chain is flat out dumb. |
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Location: Illinois | The lake that I think will produce the next Illinois State Record is Shabbona, though I think it could be a number of lakes mentioned already. Who knows, I just hope I know first! |
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