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Posts: 2024
| Does anybody have any info on Lake Storey in Galesburg? I'm going to be up there for a family gathering at the end of September and was wondering if it would be worth my time to try it out. I know it's stocked and electric motors only. |
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Posts: 140
| Yes, worth your time ... For a small lake there seems to be a lot of big fish caught out of Storey. |
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Posts: 151
Location: IL | I haven't fished Storey yet but I Hear its a big fish lake.. I would definitely give it a shot. Good Luck!! |
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Posts: 2024
| Great! Any idea what kind or lures work well? |
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Posts: 171
| Thad, when was the last time you been to Lake Storey?
I would not call it a big fish lake, or any lake in Illinois a big fish lake. I wouldn't call it a numbers lake either due to its size and escapement over the dam (although most of the time there is no water going over it. There are, however, some big fish in it (Carp forage base with some type of Shad introduced a couple years ago) and a decent amount of fish with multiple fish days to be had. There are some good weeds in the lake before they drain it in the fall. Shallow, dirty water with limited structure make this the perfect lake to fish SLOW. Big lures like Pounders, 10 inch Jakes, and LLUNGEN Nutbuster spinnerbaits are what I throw to target the larger fish. Most of the fish that come out of Storey, and any lake in Illinois with the exception of Spring Lake average around 34-38 inches. Some will also say that Lake Storey fish are skinny. NO WAY. My average fish out of this lake using larger lures and fishing SPOTS for long periods of time rather than cruising the shoreline (points, stumps, and this strange type of weed that only appears in 3 or 4 spots on the lake) is 44 inches. Although project Green Gene has not successfully collected Leech Lake strain fish in their nets in the lakes they chose to conduct their studies (I've caught quite a few Leech Lakes out of Pierce and some other central Illinois Lakes) this is one of the lakes I've caught some in as well. I hope they continue to stock the Leech Lake strain in some of our lakes. You can fish the entire lake in a day, however, you want to focus on the main lake points. There is a lot of "dead" shoreline. You will pick up a few fish on the long straightaways (usually smaller fish), however, spend a good amount of time, at least 45 minutes to an hour, fishing each main lake point both shallow and deep (creek channel). Good luck. Send me a PM and let me know how you do if you get the time!
Edited by bshep 8/29/2012 11:31 AM
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Posts: 151
Location: IL | From what I have heard the water is stained .. I would suggest bright vibrent colord baits. Bucktails,twicthbaits and Topwater would be a good choice I'm guessing. Good Luck! let me know how you do! |
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Posts: 140
| Brandyn,
Why do I need to fish a lake to know people that have caught 50" fish in it?
I've never fished St Clair, but if someone asked me my thoughts on it I would say it's a good fishery with lots of nice fish in it and worth fishing. Just like I did in regards to Storey.
take care!
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Posts: 171
| Thad, long time no see so I was just wondering when the last time you have been there was. I didn't get a chance to fish it this year. There have been 50 inchers caught out of Shabbona too, but I HIGHLY suggest going somewhere else :P. Hows Prairie and Evergreen going for you lately?
Edited by bshep 8/29/2012 11:44 AM
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Posts: 140
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Things are good.
Glad to hear you are Ok ~ No one was really sure what happened with that boat accident for awhile and stories were swirling. |
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Posts: 2024
| Just heard from the guy that was gong to take me out and he can't make it. I may still try throwing some baits from the bank on some of the points to waste some time. Will stisk with topwater or sprinnerbaits to try ans avoid some snags though. It's still fishin... |
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Posts: 171
| You may be in luck. They usually draw down the lake at the end of September. If so, you should be able to walk the entire shoreline of the lake. Bring some boots! |
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Posts: 87
Location: Minnesota Metro | Last time I checked Lake Storey is tied for the most 50 inch muskie to come out of any Illinois lake. I fished it from the bank a few times with not much luck, but that's not a fair sample size. Last time I was there(8years or so) it had really good cabbage and the water was pretty stained. There are several bank access locations in the park though. Good luck |
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Posts: 122
Location: North Central Illinois | Troutwater - 8/29/2012 6:57 PM
Last time I checked Lake Storey is tied for the most 50 inch muskie to come out of any Illinois lake. I fished it from the bank a few times with not much luck, but that's not a fair sample size. Last time I was there(8years or so) it had really good cabbage and the water was pretty stained. There are several bank access locations in the park though. Good luck
That is sooooooo not true |
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Posts: 171
| The reported 50 inch count for Muskies in Illinois is not a very accurate list to go off of... as in there have been SEVERAL other fish 50 inches or bigger caught out of Illinois lakes that were not reported. Your best chance at a 50 incher in Illinois is actually, probably the Fox Chain, because the Leech Lakers are doing well there also.
Edited by bshep 8/29/2012 10:19 PM
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Posts: 87
Location: Minnesota Metro | ILGreenhead - 8/29/2012 9:30 PM
Troutwater - 8/29/2012 6:57 PM
Last time I checked Lake Storey is tied for the most 50 inch muskie to come out of any Illinois lake. I fished it from the bank a few times with not much luck, but that's not a fair sample size. Last time I was there(8years or so) it had really good cabbage and the water was pretty stained. There are several bank access locations in the park though. Good luck
That is sooooooo not true
Maybe it's not, but like I said the last reported data I saw had Storey tied at first with Shelbyville at 9 I believe it was. |
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Posts: 107
Location: central illinois | Not all 50 inchers caught and released at Lake Storey get reported either. |
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Posts: 171
| dway, it shouldn't count when the same 50 inchers are being caught over and over out of a 100 acre lake :P How you been dude? |
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Posts: 2024
| I was able to fish on Storey a few hours today with no luck. Due to family obligations I didn't get to stay longer. The lake was about 6 feet low. I did talk to 2 local guys who were very nice. Neither had any luck today, and they were in boats, while I was on shore. 1 guy did say that a friend of his had landed a 48 incher a couple of days before. Both said the fish there are fat because of the abundant forage. There was a lot of stuff floating around in the water and algae blooms in the bays. I don't know if it was because of the recently lowering of the lake. I will have to try it again next fall, or maybe around Thanksgiving. |
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Posts: 83
| anyone been out on this lake lately? hows it fishing? looking for some tips and tricks on this lake, never been for muskies.
Edited by Fish 30acre 10/21/2012 3:49 PM
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Lake Storey-Galesburg, IL