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.