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Posts: 113
| Not sure where to post this question so I apologize if this is not the right spot.
I was planning on taking my 6yr old and 8 yr old on there first muskie/northern fishing trip this summer with my father. Unfortunately, my father required neck surgery and the trip had to be cancelled. He is feeling much better now and my kids are really upset that we couldn't make the trip happen so I am thinking about taking them south for some bass fishing somewhere. I would love to take them north but I need the weather to be decent for the kids and I think it would be risky in October.
I am looking for some help/suggestions on lakes and places to stay. Willing to drive up to 8 hours from Chicago area. I was looking at the first part of October and fish Friday thru Sunday. I would need to rent two boats as well. Any help or direction from you guys is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Jason
Edited by Muskyfreak44 9/9/2015 11:29 PM
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I know you said you don't want to go north . But resorts on Mille Lace have launches that go out everyday they've been catching some pretty nice small mouth bass . They can't fish for walleye any more this year so they have been targeting bass and pike. Just a thought |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | the minocqua chain is polluted with bass and there are a bunch of lakes in the surrounding area to have a blast catching LMB's and SMB's ... |
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Posts: 762
| I would recommend the Chetek Chain. Excellent Bass fishing water with a chance for a real hawg. Not difficult to fish. Shallow and weedy, find some good looking cover. Tie on a spinnerbait and have at it. Plenty of places to stay. I'll be there at that time as well. Kdawg |
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Posts: 54
Location: Madison wi | <p>Delevan lake. Just over an hour from the chicago area. Imo the BEST place to fish for largemouth bass and northern pike in southern Wisconsin. But chances are if your from chicago land, you already know of delevan lake. It is my home lake, and i grew up fishing delevan. Ive caught TONS of bass in the 5-6lb range through out the years. Including several nice pike over the 40" mark. In the spring, we have had several days where we boated 100+ fish. There are a few hotels in town, one right accross the street. There is also a bait shop across the street that rents boats. There is an other company in the area that has a wider selection of rental boats. There are a few really good guides on that lake, if that interests you. As far as a guide, i would recommend john reddy from ready to fish guide service. It would be an inexpensive trip for you, and close to home.</p><p>Feel free to pm with any more questions. Attached are some pics of typical delevan bass and pike</p>
Edited by billy bucher 9/10/2015 9:09 AM
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Posts: 20229
Location: oswego, il | Newton lake just southeast of Effingham is a great bass and big bass lake. Lots of white bass too. There is a resort just off the water. It is a ridge and valley style impoundment and is a cooling lake has a hot and cold side and you will still be fishing a summer style pattern. Great suggestions above as well it is all about your desires are. |
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Posts: 300
Location: Minocqua, WI | jonnysled - 9/10/2015 7:00 AM
the minocqua chain is polluted with bass and there are a bunch of lakes in the surrounding area to have a blast catching LMB's and SMB's ...
I second this.
October is a fantastic time until turnover time. Lots of fish will be shallow. Once the lakes flip, largemouths for the most part will remain shallow near any green weeds and mud while smallies will begin schooling near wintering areas and staging deep. Post-turnover bass fishing is a risky business therefore I'd target early October while IMO more fish are catchable. So many 12 to 16 inch keeper size largemouths in here it's beyond silly right now.
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Posts: 553
Location: 15 miles east of Lake Kinkaid | I agree with Todd M if you are looking to go south. If you want to drive a little farther southern IL has a lot of great bass lakes. Without having your own boat (as well as mapping and electronics) KY lake could be difficult to navigate and find quality fish. Early October is still shorts and t-shirts down here. If you decide to come south, send me a PM. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | here's a couple pics to entice your consideration for a trip to Vilas and Oneida County ...
when they go shallow in the fall the only downside is that they sometimes don't like to take turns eating so you get two at a time ... :0)
smallies are hard to beat and will hopefully get some protection so that we can keep catching the 19's to 20+'s for many more years.
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Posts: 462
Location: Antioch, IL | +1 on Southern IL. 6 to 6-1/2 hour drive and many real quality bass lakes to choose from. I grew up on the edge of the Shawnee and spent lots of time bass fishing these lakes. Lots of fish and lots of big fish. Kinkaid (also a top IL Muskie lake), Crab Orchard, Lake of Egypt, Devils Kitchen, Pounds Hollow, Lake Glendale, Lusk Creek. |
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Posts: 279
| How about the Menominee river. Its loaded with pig smallies. I have only fished it once and it was in the spring of this year. Me and my dad were there for 5 days. We caught over 300 of em with 2 over 20", 15 over `19", and less than 10 under 15". |
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Posts: 81
| There's a small (820 acre) lake near Springfield, MO (just about your driving limit) called Fellows lake. I've caught some nice bass out of it, and according to the conservation department, it has the highest concentration of 10+ pound bass in the state. It's also the lake with the highest concentration of musky with a catch rate of 1 per 30 hours of fishing. They were first stocked in 96 so it's just about to get into its best years. I personally saw a mid 40's fish and a 50+ fish yesterday, and October is when this lake starts getting good. My buddy owns the marina with plenty of boats and also has a fully equipped 2 bedroom cabin that he will occasionally rent out, I'm sure you could get a package deal if you're wanting to try some place new. |
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