NW Indiana...... 2024

lockus reply :

Looking for some fellow bassers to fish with this fall. Thinking of trying the Kankakee or some other rivers if anyone knows. My down fall is I have limited access to a boat and may have to shore fish. I have never fished a river and would like to try. Also would like to try Lake George from a boat. This year the best fishing was in the spring at Doubletree Lake Estates in Crown Point.

If anyone knows some other spots to try let me know. Or if you want to go lets go.

scaledriver reply :

Heya! good to see another NW indiana guy here I went to lake george last couple weeks and fishing was pretty good. I caught 17 Bass last time I was there. The kankakee river can be good fishing but also can be rough to fish from shore. ( i live about 5 min from it).

Do you have a trolling motor by chance? if so there are a couple places that rent boats not too far that have some pretty good fishing.

lockus reply :

Have access to a few trolling motors at any time. sound good to me.

Joel Pera reply :

Hey I am from Valparaiso and am working on getting a boat but not yet. I am up for going whenever. I know of some good smallmouth spots up on lake michigan in Portage that you can get from shore. Let me know when you guys are going out.

scaledriver reply :

that might be fun I have never fished the lake Mich from shore too much.

lockus reply :

Hit up a few local ponds and caught some nice 2-3 pounders this week on Rattlin Rapala - Baby Bass color.

Anyone else fishing still in NW Indiana.

scaledriver reply :

nice fish Lockus! I haven't been out in lil over 5 weeks now work has been crazy 6 days a week 60 + hours a week =(

But on a good not I did get me a new rig

Northern Strain reply :

1 or 2 more times this year (saturday-sunday) ... lets hope its good, but i am in central IN.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

Hey! I'm in the Valparaiso area AND I fish the Kankakee approximately 90% of the time. I'm a shore fisherman and trust me, although boat fishing is great there's plenty of good access points for shore fishermen; not only on the river itself, but also for backwater areas, flooded marshes, feeder creeks & ditches.

I'm always looking for someone interested in fishing along the Kankakee.

I've fished Lake George in Hobart from a boat and taken bass up to 6.5 lbs from there...but the majority of the bass there are in the 1-3 lb range.

Wolf Lake in Hammond is good for shore fishing - you can take nice bass, pike, musky and walleyes from shore there; in fact, in 2009 a 34 lb musky was caught by a shore angler there!

If you're primarily gonna be fishing from shore, a nice pair of hip waders can be real handy for getting your presentation in the most optimal location.

PM me if you're interested in hooking up this year for a little quality time on the Kankakee.

Sledge reply :

Hello, I'm in the portage area and my friend and I are planning to go out this weekend. We don't have access to a boat so we will be shore fishing. I know it's pretty hot but we both haven't been able to get out in a couple years and just want to get our lines wet. Just wondering if anyone might know of some good spots for shore fishing. Looking for Largemouth mostly. I'm happy with anything myself but my friend is obsessed with largemouth lol. Anyway, if anyone knows any good spots or would like to join us I'm all ears. Looking forward to your replies.

Phill

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

check out any of the many public access sites to the backwaters of the Kankakee River: LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area - Black Oak Bayou (Area 3), White Oak Bayou (right off of Rt. 41, West and just South of the river); Grand Kankakee Marsh - on Range Line Road, just North of the River.

The topwater bite is on! Just last Tuesday I caught 18 bass over 14" fishing soft plastics on top from shore.

If you don't want to travel too far, try Michigan City Pier for steelhead - the skamania should be in the streams by now with all this recent rain we've been having...but there's always the chance for a nice smallie if you gain access to the NIPSCO property on the West side of the mouth of Trail Creek.

Sledge reply :

Hey thanks! I would have PMed you but I am new to the forum and it won't let me. Where would you say the best place to go would be? Like I said, if my buddy doesn't catch a bass within the first hour he's ready to pack up and go somewhere else.

AS where I just like to sit back and relax. We were thinking of taking some crawlers and some minnows along with our spinners. Just trying to find the best possible place at the moment. I'm really bad at river fishing so still water would be great. I'm more of a throw a bobber and wait kind of guy, while my friend will walk miles around a lake or pond tossing his spinner lol.

Sorry, getting of track. If you could just give me your best guess on the best place and if at all possible directions how to get there that would be great. And if your free this weekend Your more than welcome to come join us, always nice to meet a fellow fisherman.

Edit: I was thinking worst case scenario I might try Rogers lakewood park in valpo again, but the last time I was there they had sprayed for the weeds and killed off most of the fish.

Phill

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

Rogers Lakewood is tough to fish from shore...there's a nice couple of lakes you might try in Hobart: Amber Lake - North of Lake George; and, Robinson Lake.

They're both very close to you...if you want to just sit and relax, try Countryside Park - your buddy can cast for bass and you can bank fish...just a pond, but there's some good bass in there AND it's in Portage!

Want to take a long drive and satisfy you both? Try Willow Slough near Morocco - excellent bass and gill fishing from shore...there's some nice 12" gills in there too.

Sledge reply :

Thanks for the advise. My birthday is in 2 weeks and I noticed that Willow Slough has class B camping. I was just curious if you have ever been there and know if they allow tent camping and if you might know any rates such as camping and boat rental. Thanks in advance for your reply.

Phill

scaledriver reply :

I go to Willow Slough a lot ( was just there last weekend) They have plenty of places to tent camp, A shower house and bathrooms. Boat rental is 20 dollars for all day. Boat house opens at 6am and you can keep the boat till after dark if ya like. I don;t know the camping rates but you can call for rates/ reservations from 6am till 4 or maybe 5 their number is (219)285-2704

Sledge reply :

Hey thanks a lot. Pretty good fishing out there? any good spots you could fill me in on? My birthday is Friday the 13th... hoping for some good mojo.

Phill

scaledriver reply :

The fishing there is good for both Bass and Bluegill. If you are bank fishing you are kinds limited as they only allow bank fishing from 2 fishing piers. The lake is 1200 acers and electric motors only. There is good fishing not too far from the boat ramp but if possible once you leave the ramp head east down the channel. Go 300 or so yards and you will see reeds with a channel runnin through them try there up next to them and also the flats besides that channel in the reed area. Black blue flake or green pumpkin senkos work well and weedless topwaters (frogs) will do well for bass

Sledge reply :

I'm more of a live bait guy myself... I can never figure out how to fish a lure other than like a rooster tail or the like lol. Was thinking about taking some crawlers and minnows.Do you think I'd have much luck with live bait? Oh and do they have a bait shop on site?

Edit: I will be renting a boat for sure. I'll pay and make my buddy paddle lol.

Phill

ChiCityBasser reply :

I'm pretty close to northwest indiana and have fished a couple of places. Good to see there are more places to fish in the area. Gonna have to check out some of these places myself and thanks for the info guys.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

I currently hook up with a guy from Cicero...for some serious bass fishing from shore...maybe we can hook up some time for more of the same.

ChiCityBasser reply :

I'm in Calumet City about 5 min from Hammond and 10 min from Cabelas. Caught my personal best LM in NW indiana this summer. Just looked up some info on Grand Kankakee Marsh and if fishing from the shore is good there then that I will be trying to get to very soon.

Sledge reply :

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I currently hook up with a guy from Cicero...for some serious bass fishing from shore...maybe we can hook up some time for more of the same.

That sounds great. do you want my email address or anything?

Sledge reply :

I just need to get out on the water. My birthday is next week and my girlfriend just broke up with me... I need some distraction lol. Looking as if we are planning an overnight trip to Willow Slough. From the size restrictions on the LMB I'm assuming they have some pretty nice ones in there. I called today and got some info seems very nice. I'll probably fish 90% of the time there and just sleep around noon when its the hottest lol. I forgot to ask if they had an on site bait shop though... I have already called and bugged the poor woman 3 times. I'll wait until I call to make reservations before I ask lol.

Sledge reply :

I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good weedless top water baits and explain how to use them a little? As I said an an earlier post I have always used live bait and would like to try out some lures. I have 0 experience with anything except spinners. I'll be using an open faces spinning reel.

ChiCityBasser reply :

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I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good weedless top water baits and explain how to use them a little? As I said an an earlier post I have always used live bait and would like to try out some lures. I have 0 experience with anything except spinners. I'll be using an open faces spinning reel.

I'm sure any t-rigged plastic can be fished as a topwater or just under the surface and best to rig them weightless. Buzzbaits also work well and with those as soon as they hit the water you want to start reeling and keep them on top. The weeds under the surface or surface slop?

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

weedless topwater choices:

1. T-rigged Tiki Worm with a 5/0 Gamakatsu deep gap hook, weightless;

2. spro frog;

3. MossBoss

4. Bettencourt Slop Rodent (my favorite, but a little pricey)

5. Johnson Silver Minnow, with a 3-6" trailer

6. Snag-Pruf Frog

7. Snagless Sally - cranked in just below the surface

8. KVD Buzz Bait

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

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I'm in Calumet City about 5 min from Hammond and 10 min from Cabelas. Caught my personal best LM in NW indiana this summer. Just looked up some info on Grand Kankakee Marsh and if fishing from the shore is good there then that I will be trying to get to very soon.

I'm quite familiar with where you're located, I'm originally from Hammond myself...if you're in Cal City, the Grand Calumet River is excellent for smallies; as well as the Illinois side of Wolf Lake...the Indiana side of Wolf Lake is awesome for some really big largemouths.

Because of your location, try Area 3, Black Oak Bayou at the LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area...my personal best day out there was a 50 bass day with all bass caught between 17 - 21 inches.

ChiCityBasser reply :

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I'm in Calumet City about 5 min from Hammond and 10 min from Cabelas. Caught my personal best LM in NW indiana this summer. Just looked up some info on Grand Kankakee Marsh and if fishing from the shore is good there then that I will be trying to get to very soon.

I'm quite familiar with where you're located, I'm originally from Hammond myself...if you're in Cal City, the Grand Calumet River is excellent for smallies; as well as the Illinois side of Wolf Lake...the Indiana side of Wolf Lake is awesome for some really big largemouths.

Because of your location, try Area 3, Black Oak Bayou at the LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area...my personal best day out there was a 50 bass day with all bass caught between 17 - 21 inches.

If the shore fishing is good at LaSalle in Area 3 Black Oak I might be trying it this weekend. What was your most productive lure?

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

A 5" Black/Blue Tiki Worm T-rigged, weightless on a 5/0 Gamakatsu hook, using 6lb. test Cajun Red line on a spinning rod/reel.

I used this rig as a swim bait most of the time, but when I found good cover close to shore with depth, worked it very slow.

Buzz Baits and topwater wood baits also worked well for me, especially the Bettencourt Wallie.

Sledge reply :

Can I fish a top water lure with a spinning reel? I always thought I needed a bait caster. And if I do need a baitcaster can anyone recommend an affordable idiotproof one? Sorry I have been fishing for 25 years but usually always just with a worm on a hook lol.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

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Can I fish a top water lure with a spinning reel? I always thought I needed a bait caster. And if I do need a baitcaster can anyone recommend an affordable idiotproof one? Sorry I have been fishing for 25 years but usually always just with a worm on a hook lol.

Sledge you ABSOLUTELY CAN fish topwater baits with spinning gear...use a 6 or 6.5 foot medium to medium heavy rod and load your reel up with some 8 - 14 lb. test mono, or 30 lb. test braid

Sledge reply :

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Can I fish a top water lure with a spinning reel? I always thought I needed a bait caster. And if I do need a baitcaster can anyone recommend an affordable idiotproof one? Sorry I have been fishing for 25 years but usually always just with a worm on a hook lol.

Sledge you ABSOLUTELY CAN fish topwater baits with spinning gear...use a 6 or 6.5 foot medium to medium heavy rod and load your reel up with some 8 - 14 lb. test mono, or 30 lb. test braid

it's funny you should mention that because I just got home from having my reels serviced and 30 lb test put on them and I bought a new 6' medium ugly stick. Now my question is, should I use a swivel or something when using using any particular type of lure? I need to go and see if i can't find some videos on presentation. I have $300 in soft plastics I bought years ago that I have never even attempted to use.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

$300 in soft plastics, LOL, I don't even own that much.

Hope you enjoy your Ugly Stick...they don't feel right to me (I prefer mid-rang to high end rods, some custom builts too).

Sledge reply :

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$300 in soft plastics, LOL, I don't even own that much.
Hope you enjoy your Ugly Stick...they don't feel right to me (I prefer mid-rang to high end rods, some custom builts too).

I would love to have a high end rod but I just can't afford it lol.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

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$300 in soft plastics, LOL, I don't even own that much.
Hope you enjoy your Ugly Stick...they don't feel right to me (I prefer mid-rang to high end rods, some custom builts too).

I would love to have a high end rod but I just can't afford it lol.

$300 worth of plastic = a really nice rod. ;D

Sledge reply :

I bought them over 10 years ago when I was working. I'm agoraphobic and it has gotten worse. I'm on disability now and about $30.00 is about all I can afford on on a rod these days.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

If I wasn't so tight for money myself, I'd probably give you one...times are tough.

Sledge reply :

That is very kind of you to even consider that. Maybe one of these days we can get together for a fishing trip. I think I should be able to PM now so I'll PM you my email address and if your interested you can email me sometime.

Sledge reply :

Thinking about going out Sunday to the kankakee river. Wanna get some practice in before my camping trip. Was just curious on what would be some good bait choices. The only type of Lures I am confident in my ability to use are rooster tails and the like. I'm looking on advise for Live bait. I have only been there twice and i never caught a thing lol.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

Plastic worms, Spro Frogs, MossBoss, Johnson Silver Minnow...think weedless...this time of the year there's a lot of floating vegetation in the bayous and marshes.

In the main river - rapalas, crank baits, big spinners.

Sledge reply :

lol so todays my birthday. My girlfriend is bailing on me to go do work with her friend. She has stuck me with her dog until she decides to return. I was going to go camping at willow slough this weekend but the forcast calls for thunderstorms in Morocco this weekend.

I just spent about $100 to get new line put on all my reels and other misc fishing related items. The only thing I wanted for my birthday was to spend it with the girlfriend...

Second best, I want to go fishing somewhere that I have a good chance of catching more than some small bluegill and bullheads. Just curious if anyone that knows of some good fishing would like to meet up either this Saturday or Sunday for some fishing.

I don't have a boat so I'm stuck with shore fishing unless anyone who may be interested has one. I'm trying to salvage this bust of a birthday weekend so if anyone is interested please feel free to post or send me a PM.

I should be able to meet anyone within a reasonable distance, preferably at a local bait shop or somewhere I can punch into the gps. Otherwise I'm afraid I'm going to be stuck either renting a boat at Rogers lakewood in valpo or taking my chances at Jasper Pulaski.

The last time I went to either of those the fishing was horrid. So again, If anyone is interested if a fishing trip this weekend Post or PM me. I'll buy the beer or the bait or whatever have you.

Just want to find some good fishing for once. The last time I caught anything decent was was well over 10 years ago ans that was an 18'' Largemouth. That place is sadly no longer there. Hope to hear from someone, and good luck to anyone going fishing soon.

Phill

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

Jasper Pulaski, LOL....the ditches are too low and only have small bass n gills in em; the ponds are loaded with small cats and bullheads.

GO TO LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area, south of the river - take Rt. 10 West past Rt.41 until you see the sign for AREA 3, turn right and stay on the gravel road until you come to a deadend at the river; park and you have 3 good options: fish the main river, walk back to the south until you get to where the sluice gate is (one side good for big bass, the other side good for slab gills), or walk the bank along the slough (East) and work all the openings you come to with a buzz bait or swimming jig for big bass.

Sledge reply :

Just checked the weather forcast for Lake village In and it looks like storms there all weekend too.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

and that's gonna stop you from fishing?

Sledge reply :

lol I just asked my brother of he wanted to chance a trip out there tomorrow morning with his gf and my buddy. Sun rise is supposed to be around 6 so I kinda wanna get over there around then. If you have any interest in coming out and fishing with us PM me or something and I can PM you my Cell number so you can call and we can meet up out there somewhere. Any advise on live bait? I was thinking my stand by night crawlers but besides that I'm just not sure. Thanks in advance.

Phill

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

buy your crawlers tonight, and condition them (you do know how to condition them don't you?) take them in an ice chest filled with ice water. take plenty of 100% DEET if you're going early.

I'm working tomorrow, sorry, can't go.

Sledge reply :

No idea what you mean by condition and I have no idea what DEET is. http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-La_Salle_map.pdf That's the link to the map of the place... any chance you could explaine on the map where we'll be parking and where the 2 areas you were talking aabout fishing at are? Thanks.

Phill

Sledge reply :

Wait, DEET sounds familliar... bug sprat right? lol I was gonna pick up some deep woods off.Oh and do you think I should pick up some bass minnows? my friend won't shut up about bass minnows.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

Black Oak Bayou is the one you want. Take the minnows if he want em...I'll pm you how to condition your worms.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

Kankakee backwater areas, marshes and bayous are heating up...awesome bass fishing AND with the cooler nights approaching soon it will be time to stock your freezers with some tasty crappie fillets too.

Best baits for bass have been T-rigged worms (4 inches or less); pop-r; and jig-n-float combos. Windy days seem to offer the best results.

ChiCityBasser reply :

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Kankakee backwater areas, marshes and bayous are heating up...awesome bass fishing AND with the cooler nights approaching soon it will be time to stock your freezers with some tasty crappie fillets too.
Best baits for bass have been T-rigged worms (4 inches or less); pop-r; and jig-n-float combos. Windy days seem to offer the best results.

Thanks for the info I think I'll be trying Black Oak this sunday with some of these exact baits from the shore.

Thinking of trying some shallow cranks as well..Strike King 1XS and BPS XPS Egg to keep them in the 1-3' range?

ChiCityBasser reply :

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.
try Countryside Park - your buddy can cast for bass and you can bank fish...just a pond, but there's some good bass in there AND it's in Portage!

Want to take a long drive and satisfy you both? Try Willow Slough near Morocco - excellent bass and gill fishing from shore...there's some nice 12" gills in there too.

How is the fishing at Countryside Park in Portage?

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

If you live in Portage, it's an alternative place to go; if you're driving in from Illinois, I wouldn't waste my time - I'd try Wolf Lake in Hammond for big bass, walleye, northern or musky

ChiCityBasser reply :

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If you live in Portage, it's an alternative place to go; if you're driving in from Illinois, I wouldn't waste my time - I'd try Wolf Lake in Hammond for big bass, walleye, northern or musky

Thanks for the info about Countryside

Any particular areas to try at Wolf Lake?

ChiCityBasser reply :

Countryside in Portage wasn't too bad at all as far as size. I caught a 2 & 3lber but that was it for a couple of hours. No numbers but ok on size.

ABLE2DISABLE1 reply :

Laporte Indiana, New Carlisle, Hammond Laporte was great fishing at the lakes just outside of town which wasn't far.Tower hill in Michigan city wasn't bad from the beach ethier.Randolph and Wal Bash in Chicago was great fishing when I was a kid from the pier by the armory, National Gard Armory .Caught some pretty big fish growing up,Wish we had this face-book stuff back then.Memories of steelheads small-month bass and even carp, never really got to involved with pike .Sometimes I see my-self still fishing off the banks kept my butt out of plenty of mischief, tight lines to all who are creating their on memories.

dandelion reply :

i too am from the region. i've been out of the game for years!!!! when i was young, i used to fish the corn channel right by the water discharge... and i went back... and there really wasn't any good place to fish. =/ basically, i'm looking for anywhere to fish which i can catch ok numbers... and decent size. (not really interested in bluegils.) just wondering if there is any decent spots (shore fishing at or near wolf lake... and also if there is a decent spot off the grand calumet river. i tried off of that wetland park off cline.. but didn't have any luck.. and i don't have a lot of experience river fishing... so i was wondering if there was a nice calm spot off the river i can check out. or.. any spots in NW indiana i should check out. i tried area 3 a couple weeks ago after reading some of the post.. but i couldn't even get to it. (some sign about hunting or something.) any advice would be appreciated about where to go. i'm trying to get one of my friends into fishing (as i recently rediscovered the love for it)... and everywhere i've taken him we just caught babies. i'm pretty sure they all had bibs on too. =(

thanks in advance

dandelion reply :

but so far i've tried cedar lake (horrible) area 1 (since we couldn't get to 3) horrible... wolf lake... couldn't find a decent spot... but going to try again on wednesday....

dandelion reply :

thanks for the links fishaholic =D i'll check them out now. maybe i can catch a big one..... and make everybody proud. =D i wasn't able to reply your message though.. cause i don't have 10 post yet *kicks the dirt*

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

Where are you located? Maybe we can hook up and I'll show you a few places to try.

dandelion reply :

i live in merrillville. i'm familiar with the whole region though. probably lived in every town out here... including out there by you. i used to live on sturdy road near valplayso. that would be neat! my fishing days are usually thursday and friday... to avoid the big crowds at my 2 spots. >.< and you can even have my fishies i catch.

ChiCityBasser reply :

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i too am from the region. i've been out of the game for years!!!! when i was young, i used to fish the corn channel right by the water discharge... and i went back... and there really wasn't any good place to fish. =/ basically, i'm looking for anywhere to fish which i can catch ok numbers... and decent size. (not really interested in bluegils.) just wondering if there is any decent spots (shore fishing at or near wolf lake... and also if there is a decent spot off the grand calumet river. i tried off of that wetland park off cline.. but didn't have any luck.. and i don't have a lot of experience river fishing... so i was wondering if there was a nice calm spot off the river i can check out. or.. any spots in NW indiana i should check out. i tried area 3 a couple weeks ago after reading some of the post.. but i couldn't even get to it. (some sign about hunting or something.) any advice would be appreciated about where to go. i'm trying to get one of my friends into fishing (as i recently rediscovered the love for it)... and everywhere i've taken him we just caught babies. i'm pretty sure they all had bibs on too. =(
thanks in advance

Area 3 in Grand Kankakee was closed til 9/19 for waterfowl season. I called and checked before heading down that way and it should be fine for fishing now but always best to call and check with them.

dandelion reply :

perhaps i'll try it next thursday and hope i can find a decent shore spot to fish off of.

dandelion reply :

off of shore*

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

There's plenty of good locations to fish from shore...from the parking lot, walk (south) down to where the bayou empties into the waterfowl refuge, then walk along the bank to the East - there's a channel along that shoreline, and on the opposite side of the channel is a stump field (underwater most of the time); also you can work the shoreline on the east, there's plenty of areas for you there too...

Good Luck, get a biggun.

dandelion reply :

oh my! i have so many places to try. i wish i could fish every day! weeeeeeeeeeeeeee i'll surely get a big one if i did

pkghost reply :

Hey there, new to the forums here.

We have been fishing on the Kankakee and have been trying to to find some more good shore spots in the area.

We haven't had too much luck at Black Oak recently, so we were thinking about giving Wolf Lake a shot.

Anyone got some directions to some nice shore spots there?

Thanks.

Also has anyone in the area had any luck finding any large minnow. We have tried about 7 bait shops and nobody seems to be able to get chubs, suckers, shiners...anything..

dandelion reply :

for minnows.. try mik lurch. 7025 indianapolis blvd in hammond.

(219) 989-0575 just call and see what they have. i'm sure they will have something for you.

as far as good shore spots. i would try somewhere off forsythe (sp?) park. thats where i seem to see most people fish. there are a LOT of spots... depending on what you are looking for. you just turn right on 119th off of calumet. that's where i notice most people fish anyway. i'm still trying to find the perfect spot myself... but throughout my life.. fishing in that area i have caught everything under the sun.. from muskee to really big bass. i try to fish the lake once a week to find something amazing.. but i'm still working on it.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

This is Fall Fishing at its best...try a 5/8 oz. black Jitterbug at Wolf Lake - work the area between the primary and secondary weedlines on the flats.

dandelion reply :

what are these "flats" you speak of there buddy?

dandelion reply :

and i thought the jitterbug was a dance. weeeeeeeeee ;D

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

The area on either side of the "towers road" is for the most part a consistant 4 foot flat...off Sheffield Ave. to the West is a gravel/slag road (more or less) at 129th St. - it's paved going East, and gravel/slag going West. Go West and just before you hit the toll road, follow it to the North and it should take you to the "towers road".

pkghost reply :

Will be hitting up a few spots along Wolf Lake in a few hours. Thanks.

dandelion reply :

how did you do?

pkghost reply :

Didn't do well at Wolf Lake. But the water was very rough.

Towers road was a little scary driving out to

Didn't make it around to Forsythe Park this time.

Ended up running out to the Kankakee and nailed a Northern within the first hour. A large northern hit as well but snapped the line.

Caught a few undersized largemouth as well, kinda looks like they just stocked or something. There were lots of little guys poppin the surface.

Thanks for the tip on Mik Lurch they had what we wanted.

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

they don't stock the Kankakee...was probably just a bunch of minnows or shad

pkghost reply :

I nabbed a few while trying to see what they were and what i got was def LMB. (I was hoping they were big minnows) Not saying they all were, but it was pretty crazy looking.

dandelion reply :

yeah.. probably shad. those have been jumping around a lot lately. crazy little guys! good job on your big fishie. i caught some of those baby LM bass at wolf lake. that's pretty much all i've been getting this season it seems in terms of LM bass.. but i'm a noob. >.<

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

The Fall topwater bite is on! Caught 4 bass this afternoon, all on a 5/8 oz. black/red Cavitron Buzz Bait.

pkghost reply :

Where were you at? Kankakee?

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

Yes the Kankakee...that's where I fish 95 percent of the time.

pkghost reply :

Where about do you fish?

We tend to go around Lacrosse area

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

LaCrosse, that would be Horseshoe Bend, or some feeder ditches and/or creeks. I fish anywhere between the State Line and where it starts at the Little Kankakee Ditch.

pkghost reply :

Indeed, Horseshoe Bend is our main spot, but we drift around that basic area. Also hit th LaSalle area a couple times.

Where about is the Little Kankakee Ditch?

Also how is the area around the Grand Kankakee Marsh?

TheOriginalFishaholic reply :

I was just at Horseshoe Bend the other day and caught 4 nice bass between 2 - 4 lbs. on topwater baits...

Grand Kankakee Marsh is basically 2 ponds and a series of ditches...great fishing!

My personal best LM Bass (8.5 lbs.) was taken there on a Bettencourt Baits 9" Assassin topwater bait; and this year I caught a 12 lb. Northern Pike on a Bettencourt Baits Rodent (also another large bait - body and tail total length around 10 inches).

I get a lot of strange looks when I tie on the big baits, but the proof is in what type of fish I get when using them.

At LaSalle, Blackoak Bayou and White Oak Bayou are by far the best...Area 3 primarily for bass, and the other for bass, northern and some dandy crappies n gills.

What used to be called "Ben's Bayou" on the north side of the river, east of the RR Bridge is excellent for crappies and northerns; while the ditch that runs south just before the RR Bridge is excellent for bass and northern.

The Little Kankakee Ditch is close to South Bend.

I'd also suggest the "ten mile road" area to you...there you'll not only be able to fish the Kankakee, but some good sloughs, and the Yellow River too - the Yellow is excellent for smallies and the previous SR northern pike was caught there; while the Kankakee in that area is good for crappies, northern and walleyes.

well, that's all for today, more another time.

pkghost reply :

How deep is Black Oak?

We were wondering what the limit for boats would be that we could get in?

Thanks

12969

NW Indiana...... 2024

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