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| What's up with these lakes? I have heard some really good reports about this series of lakes south of the Peoria area. I looked up in the regs and see that it has a 25hp restriction so I won't be able to fire up the 225. I'll have to make due with the kicker or the MinnKota. I got some info about some really nice fish coming out of these lakes in the last couple of years. Heavy quality fish in the mid to upper 40 inch range. Which of these lakes are better? Shovel, Johnson or Wheel? Is there any clarity or depth difference? I've heard some guys have done really well trolling divers so I'm guessing not all of these are shallow. I wish lakes like this were closer than 3 hours but at least I don't have to be bothered with the traffic we see on the Fox Chain. I'd much rather trailer 3 hours than put up with all the crap on that system. After the bite slows on Spring, I'm going to check these out for sure. Any info would be appreciated. |
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| While fishing Spring Lake over the weekend I talked to some bass fisherman that also fish bass at Banner Marsh and they said those lakes are great muskie lakes! All three of them, Wheel, Johnson and Shovel have fish and they get bit off a lot bass fishing but still catch many of them. The guys I talked to caught a 45" fish last May on Shovel on a bass jig and had several others over 40" on spinnerbaits plus countless fish lost. He said there may be too many muskies there and the bass fishing isn't as good as it was for bigger fish. He said several local guys do very well there and they spend a lot of time muskie fishing there so there must be a reason. Needless to say we will be making many trips here in the near future. I can't wait to check it out. Happy fishing! |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Be sure to let us know how you do there, it seems there are not alt of folks fishing it for Muskies, or if there are, they are not talking..  |
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| Went here Saturday after fishing Spring in the morning. Put in on the east access on Wheel Lake. Wow what a great lake for muskies. It has deep cuts and rocks and shallow areas by the river levee. Looked like there are some great weeds also. Lost an upper 30 inch fish on a white spinnerbait late afternoon. Fished Johnson lake on Sunday. Another awesome area!! Had two small follows on stickbaits. Partner had a slow follow from a low 40 incher on a Manta. Talked to some bass guys and they said they get bit off a lot by muskies all year around. These may be some the best musky lakes I've fished in Illinois. Forget Shabbona, I'll be heading here a lot more this year. It is a lot less crowded for sure. Good fishing! |
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Posts: 1636
| thanks for the update ed I will be sure to tell all 50 muskie fisherman i know to get out there asap!
oh yeah pop'd a fatty at shabbona yesterday... fish have to eat, pressure is just an excuse to use when you get skunked. |
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| Brandyn, You're welcome for the update and congrats on your recent Shabbona fatty! Who said anything about using fishing pressure as an excuse for getting skunked? My boat has released 118 muskies from Shabbona over the last five years, so it's not like I always get skunked. You are correct in that fish have to eat, but if you catch them everytime you go out and never get skunked, please let me know what you charge for a day in the boat with you as I'd love to learn your fish catching secrets! I'm not saying Shabbona or the Fox are bad, just a little too crowded and that there are other places like Banner Marsh to get away from it. It's not like Banner is a secret musky area. Read the IL stocking reports or talk to bass club guys and the bait shops in the Peoria area. They will tell you about the bite offs they get from muskies while bass fishing there and on Spring Lake as well. They will also tell you about some of the locals who have already boated over 100 fish this year on these waters with some pretty impressive fatties too. Good luck this year and release a big one!! |
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Posts: 1636
| thanks
ps. i have 300 and 50 half muskies this year 
Edited by Reelwise 3/28/2006 6:18 PM
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Posts: 108
Location: Crystal Lake,Illinois 60014 | I will be down @ Banner on Saturday and fishing my home lake Crystal Lake on Sunday.
I will certainly give some reports for everyone.
These temps and warm rains should set the spark we need.
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Posts: 1636
| i might see you down there we are bringing 12 boats... ok maybe 2. Lets turn these lakes into shabbona's!
Edited by Reelwise 3/29/2006 5:13 PM
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| Anything happening on these lakes? I put in over 50 hours of hard fishing on Wheel this spring with nothing to show for it. I saw 2 nice fish, both just cruising and nowhere near my lure. I was thinking about heading out there again since I haven't tried it since the water has warmed. Thanks in advance. |
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| esoxjake, how did you do man? |
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