| Friday, September 14, 2007 1:04 AM CDT |
It’s been a good year for stripers at Lake Bloomington
LAKE BLOOMINGTON — From Canadian northern pike to fish in Central Illinois, fishing guide Jim Crowley of Bloomington is having a great year.
His latest fun comes thanks to hybrid and pure stripers at Lake Bloomington.
“When they school up, it’s the closest thing to a salt-water feeding frenzy you’ll see,” Crowley said.
Fish are taking a variety of baits. The choice depends on how deep they happen to be at the time, he said.
“Stripers can be caught on top-waters, rattle-baits like the Yo-Zuri Rattlin’ Vibe and deep diving crankbaits, depending on where you locate the fish,” he said. “When they move up to the flats and feed, the top-waters and rattle-baits perform well. When fish are out deeper on points and suspended, use the crankbaits. Storm swim-baits and even weighted soft-plastic jerkbaits are working.”
Illinois River update
The level of the Illinois River is normal, and the water is clearing, according to guide Buster Culjan of Cajun Bait & Tackle in Utica. Catfish are hitting and white-bass action is picking up.
The recent cold snap has fishing improving at most area lakes.
What’s biting
Crappie — Good at Shabbona, Shelbyville; fair at Sangchris, Bloomington, Evergreen, Spring Lake, Banner Marsh.
Saugeye — Slow at Evergreen; good at Dawson.
Sauger — Spotty at the Illinois River.
Walleye — Good at Dawson; fair at Shelbyville; slow at Clinton.
Largemouth bass — Good at Shabbona, Sangchris, Dawson, Clinton; fair at Lake Bloomington; slow at Evergreen.
Smallmouth bass – Fair at Powerton, Shabbona; rivers, including the Mackinaw and the Vermilion, are good.
Striped bass — Fair in spillway and on the main lake at Clinton. Fair at Sangchris. Good at Lake Bloomington.
White bass — Good at Decatur, Shelbyville; improving on the Illinois River;
Catfish — Good at Shabbona, LaSalle, Illinois River, Powerton, Sangchris, Dawson, Evergreen, Spring Lake, Weldon Springs.
Muskies — Fair at Shelbyville, Shabbona; still slow at Evergreen.
Bluegills — Good at LaSalle, Sangchris, Evergreen, Shabbona, Powerton; fair at Spring Lake.
Got a fish story, a hot spot, big fish or lots of them? Something funny happen? Phone Pantagraph outdoor editor Scott Richardson at (309) 820-3227 or e-mail srichardson@pantagraph.com. Read past fishing reports and outdoor columns and take part in online discussions at www.pantagraph.com/blogs.
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