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| I was thinking of trying Spring Lake the weekend after the Illinois musky tour hits it. Is that a bad idea? Are all the pro guys going to beat the lake death - should i let it "settle" down for a few weeks first or will i be ok? |
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| Get at it asap. Pro guys hahahahah.. Give yourself more credit.you can entr one of their tourneys for 50 bucks |
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| I thought about it but i cant make it. its more than that....alot more |
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| Darren657 - 3/10/2013 6:23 PM
I was thinking of trying Spring Lake the weekend after the Illinois musky tour hits it. Is that a bad idea? Are all the pro guys going to beat the lake death - should i let it "settle" down for a few weeks first or will i be ok?
"Pro" hahahaha That's pretty funny. The guys that fish the IMTT are no different then you and I. Just weekend warriors.
The tournament doesn't get that many boats and fish aren't transported like they are in a bass tournament. You should run into no issues. However, fishing after the DNR completes their netting is another issue. That could hamper fishing some. |
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| Then dont net until the spawn, right? And thats not for a few weeks, right? |
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| The netting occurs sometime in March. |
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Posts: 20212
Location: oswego, il | why not fish the tournament? they are not huge tournaments and the imtt gives back big time to dnr projects and wish lists through the ima. anyone who has made a single cast for muskies in illinois has benefitted from the imtt. |
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| Thanks all. But I cant make the tourney due to prior obligations. Otherwise i would. Plus im not that good at fishing! Ill save myself the shame of last place. My fear is that if i wait until the weekend of March 23rd the lake will be "off" or the nets will be in. I have a 3 hr drive to the lake. |
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| Guest, you said: "However, fishing after the DNR completes their netting is another issue. That could hamper fishing some."
By that, do you mean "while" the netting is being done? Or does fishing really hit the skids after the nets are removed? |
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Posts: 31
| I'm one of those week-end warriors however member of MI & IMTT because dues are very reasonable for what you get and what they support. Only fishing muskies for 4 yrs. now but fish about 7 tournaments a year from LOTW, Mo. & Ill.. There are no losers, I've never seen a tournament where less than half the boats come up empty. The only exception was Spring Lake last year I believe more than 1/2 the boats caught at least 1. |
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| Nets go in the lake sunday i hear. Plan on 2 weeks plus the time they have the fish at the hatchry. |
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| Here is the number for the park 13099687135. |
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| After they net fish how long before they return the muskies the lake? Im guessing fishing is dead until the fish are put back? |
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Posts: 68
| So have they started netting yet? |
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| Yes. I guess not all the nets are in though be ause the water temps are way down. |
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Posts: 78
| I'll be down in central Il the whole month of April while guiding. I can give some reports on what is happening and how fishing is. I have about a 15 day stretch on Spring lake, so I should have a good grip on the fishing front for you.-Chris
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Posts: 78
| Musky Mod, the only time that it closes that I am aware of is during duck season. It's not like the forest preserves, where it opens a closes daily |
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Posts: 62
| People pay to be 'guided' on spring lake !?! |
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Posts: 78
| Took a trip to the Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery today. The tours over there are actually very cool. If you guys get a chance to get up there, it's certainly worth the time. These guys work very hard to give us a great fishery here in Il. You can check out the article I wrote on it in April's Outdoor Notebook. It goes into a lot more detail than I can get into on here. Btw, nets are still not going. Gotta get some warm weather! |
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Posts: 78
| The nets are in on the lake. Typically this will make for tougher fishing for awhile. I will get the numbers in a few weeks and let you guys know how many were netted and if any big fish showed up. There are a few swimming around in there that would surprise you  |
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Posts: 108
Location: Crystal Lake,Illinois 60014 | Lake has a ton of hidden secrets. Its not an easy nut to crack for 38" and up fish. But once you do find certain areas, it becomes very rewarding on size. Chris, I will be heading down to the backwaters next 2 days, Ill keep you posted. C u on Saturday bro! Have fun with the GB Eyes. |
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Posts: 26
| I want to head down their this weekend for my first try at this lake. Im not looking for monsters, heck, a 24" fish would give me a happy streak that would last weeks....with the nets in now, is it worth my time to drive 3 hrs each way or am i likely to get shutout if the nets are in? |
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| Does anyone have a actual report. Like maybe a water temp thanks |
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| I think I'll go to cave run this weekend.. Bigger fish.
Edited by MuskyMulisha 3/27/2013 5:16 PM
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Posts: 78
| Muskysucker, water temps are mid 40s. Also got report from hatchery today and nets will be out by weekend and fish will be spawned out and returned to lake by Monday the latest. A lot of fish in the 12-16lb range ended up in the nets this year with a few bigger. Hope this helps. |
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Posts: 78
| Esoxjake-good luck buddy! Shoot me some pics of some toothy critters! Go get a fatty |
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| Thanks |
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Posts: 26
| I took my first trip here on saturday. Didnt see a thing. Nadda, nothing, zero. 24 other boats parked at the launch and from what i hear, All the boats combined for 3 follows and 1 ski caught. Just brutal and it doesnt seem like the fishery I was lead to believe. |
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Posts: 78
| Guys, the water temps are mid 50's and should climb this week. Fishing was very tough this last couple day, probably due to the nets being in and fish taken out to hatchery. Billy, don't get too discouraged, this lake can be very good. Just like any lake, it has it's days. Muskies are still muskies... |
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Posts: 77
| I dont wanna start some sort of huge debate on here but I think spring lake isnt portrayed accurately not only on here but any time i hear people talk about it. Yes you can go there and catch 5, 10, or even 20 fish in a day. But that isnt the normal day on spring lake. That can happen on any lake, those are just those special days that happen every once in a while. In my opinion I think spring can actually be one of the harder lakes to fish in illinois. The fish can literally be anywhere on the lake, Literally anywhere. There may be a spot or two that are better than others, but its basically drop your boat in and start casting. If the fish are going that day then ya you will catch some, but isnt that the case on any musky lake? If the fishing is just normal then you have no idea where the fish are, the could be anywhere. |
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