ILLINOIS FISHING???

HORNBLOWER · 08-11-2001, 01:50 PM

I took my two grandsons trout fishing when they visited Oregon this month. They had a ball. Now they are home again in Illinois, and they say they want to do more fishing. My son (their father) was raised in Oregon, fishing for trout, steelhead & salmon---and he has good equipment. But their dad says, "There isn't any trout, steelhead or salmon here ... nothing but crappie to fish for".
They live in Bloomington, Ill., which is 136 miles SW of Chicago. My Atlas (road map)shows the Illinois R. running thru Peoria, 40 miles away; Evergreen Lake, Bloomington Lake and the Mackinaw R. 14 mi. N. of Bloomington; and Clinton Lake 27 mi. SE. of Bloomington.
Is anyone familiar with that area and the fishing possibilities there? Bank fishing to start. They don't have a boat...but if the desire was strong enough they could get a small one. There must be more than crappie to fish for in that area.
Any information that could help the grandkids get their dad out fishing again would be appreciated. Thanks.

08-11-2001, 02:01 PM

http://www.outdoorrec.com/fish/fish.htm
http://www.cyberangler.com/links/states/illinois.htm

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HORNBLOWER · 08-11-2001, 03:39 PM

Thanks ******. These addresses are very helpful...particularly outdoorre. for that area. The site mentions trout, but no locations for same. Probably in a different area, as are the steelhead (located in Lake Michigan). Your assistance is really appreciated. Glen

kenai · 08-11-2001, 06:18 PM

Hornblower, I grew up in that area, just 40 miles N of Bloomington, its bass fishing mainly around there, the cooling lakes for the nuke plants are always good places to start, the Illinois river has a healthy Walleye and Sauger population. There are some bigger lakes S of Bloominton. Takes a little driving but there are lots Salmon in Lake Michigan for an Oregon boy

Tinman · 08-11-2001, 11:05 PM

Lake Michigan is full of salmon and steelhead. I spend a few weeks in Indiana each year, and have fished Trail Creek for salmon. Trail creek enters the lake in Michigan City. Although pretty small, the creek carries lots of fish. They don't spawn naturally there, so it doesn't have the same feel as our rivers, but it sure beats crappie.

There is also a robust charter boat fleet plying Lake Michigan.

HORNBLOWER · 08-13-2001, 07:23 AM

Thank you, KENAI & TINMAN, for your information. I have forwarded it to my son in Illinois. Hopefully, it will stimulate him to teach his sons to fish there.
Glen

Predator Dawg · 08-13-2001, 07:40 AM

Hornblower,

I believe Trail Creek also gets a run of Skamania Stealhead. The other location they run up is just over the Wisconsin border in Racine. The Racine River (looks more like chocolate milk) has a hatchery a mile or two up and they fish right below it in town. There are tons of good salmon fishing areas as you move up through Wisconsin (in the lake). August/September is a great time to be up there. There is an Outdoor World up in Gurnee (north of Chicago) that had a great fishing area in it and some very knowledgeable help. If they (your family) have access to a boat to take out in Lake Michigan, I would recommend it.

Steve

HORNBLOWER · 08-13-2001, 03:48 PM

Thanks, Steve. I'll pass the word along.
Glen