WEEKLY FISHING REPORTS

WATER ..... Fox River



FISHING REPORT DATE: 10-23-09 ---- River levels have risen to above normal levels for October. Fishing activity has become more difficult and coolWater temperatures are present (high 50's).
The first few and last few hours of the day present the most encouraging fishing results for anglers. Hunt for the deeper holes where fish are concentrated. Also search below dams at the head of riffles. Don't miss out on an opportunity to enjoy the river. As the river levels come down...go fishing. Prime season.


Click on the hyperlinks below to see more info on water levels:

(Illinois Department of Natural Resources Water Levels...realtime... http://il.water.usgs.gov/nwis-w/IL/datasum.components/owrtable.cgi
(Rock Island Corps District Water Levels)...realtime............ water_mvr_usace_army.htm
(USGS Water Levels)...realtime.................................. USGS water conditions.htm


FISH: Walleye ... rated fair but small with afew reports of anglers catching afew using twister heads.

FISH: Crappie .... rated fair with afew reports of some being caught using jigs and tubes.

FISH: Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass .... rated good with reports of successful fisherman using small jigs with sizes averaging 1-2 pounds.

FISH: Bluegill ... rated spotty to fair - not much activity to report at this time.

FISH: Catfish ... rated good to fair.

FISH: Northern Pike ... rated fair to good with reports of anglers afew in the 25-30 inch range.

FISH: Muskie ... rated fair to slow with some reports of anglers catching afew using jigs off the banks and averaging 20 inches in length.


Fox River Bait Shop's Fishing Reports:

Big Jim's B&T reports: smallmouth bass are good with most anglers having success using spinners and twister tails - sizes averaging anywhere 12 to 20 inches or 2 pounds in size. white bass are spotty to poor, but improving catfish are good, most success early in the morning or later around dusk using jigs and gulp worms or live baits on the bottom close to the shorelines drum are excellent blg - are excellent with plenty of activity to report with about anything you use for bait - sizes are average

Cool WatersBait Shop in South Elgin reports: channel cat are good using just about any stink bait or liver and/or pondcrawlers and averaging 2-4 pounds in size, most success early in the morning or later around dusk using jigs and gulp worms or live baits on the bottom close to the shorelines flathead are fair with a 20 lb. average - a 37 1/2 pounder caught yesterday using bluegill bait! smb (smallmouth bass) are good using jig and minnows, cranks or topwater baits - sizes averaging anywhere 12 to 20 inches or 2 pounds in size. crappie are still spotty. blg - are excellent with plenty of activity to report with about anything you use for bait - sizes are average



Information provided by Emerald Bait and Tackle in Elgin, Cool WatersBait Shop in South Elgin, Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch and Big Jim's Bait in Ottawa