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Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [30 messages per page] Muskie Fishing -> Fishing Reports and Destinations -> Chain of Lakes Illinois Guidance |
Message Subject: Chain of Lakes Illinois Guidance | |||
zekeekez![]() |
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Posts: 21 | I've been fishing the Chain (northern lakes) over the past 7 years. I don't get out as much as I'd like to and the weekends are a complete zoo. I usually try to get out early on the weekends or will take a day off here/there during the week. But it is the closest musky water for me to take my boat (Gurnee area). I hired a guide a number of years ago as well. But I am always getting skunked. Not even seeing fish. I think I might be fishing too close to the shore, but I'm just not sure. Unlike when I fish LOTW, there really isn't a lot of structure to go off of. Any guidance would be appreciated. I'm not looking for any ones secret spots, just some general guidance. PM me if you'd prefer. THanks, Jim | ||
ToddM![]() |
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Posts: 20231 Location: oswego, il | I would hire Ben Modica from Muskyfix guide service. He knows the chain really well. | ||
MuskyMATT7![]() |
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Posts: 553 Location: 15 miles east of Lake Kinkaid | Lot of good guides up that way. Chris Taurisano does it full-time and focused on Chain muskies. | ||
Fishen-ski's![]() |
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Posts: 140 Location: Northern Illinois | I wouldn't hire a guide to fish the chain. "No offense to the guides". The chain fishes really small. Just hang out on the north end of channel & Catherine and watch some of the other boats. Every time I'm out, I would say 90-95% of the boats are bombing for muskies. Just keep an eye on where they go & their casting routes. Work the shallow bars between channel & Catherine & sooner or later you should get some action. The pressure out there is unreal and I think the casting bite has gotten a lot tougher, with the trollers accounting for most of the fish these days. Weekends are a joke. I've had the most success morning through around noonish.... with bite getting worse as the day progresses, almost non-existent evening bite, which is the opposite of what everybody always talks about. LOL. The muskies can be pretty shallow in the weeds if they are looking to eat. I usually start shallow and work deeper if no action. That's my experience in a nutshell based on about five years of bombing myself. Just keep after it, there are a good number of fish in there. | ||
Fishen-ski's![]() |
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Posts: 140 Location: Northern Illinois | took my own advice & headed out to the chain. Was pretty good advice. lol. fished a little Friday afternoon & sunday after the busy hrs. Landed 5, & lost a few others. Water temps. were 70-72 degrees. Attachments ---------------- ![]() | ||
gregk9![]() |
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Posts: 791 Location: North Central IL USA | Nice, dude! Did you measure her? | ||
Fishen-ski's![]() |
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Posts: 140 Location: Northern Illinois | she was a little over 41", pretty thick, tail was almost gone! | ||
zekeekez![]() |
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Posts: 21 | Very nice fish. Hoping to get out sometime this weekend. Jim | ||
zekeekez![]() |
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Posts: 21 | Chain of lakes is no wake 6/23/2018. A bunch of the launches are underwater. | ||
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