mmvikes, you are exactly 2 hr drive from Antioch IL and the Chain O'Lakes. Nice crappies and bluegills through out the system.
Knee is shot so I haven't been able to walk the rivers much near me in Naperville. I am hoping to get out in the kayak and fish for some nice size red ear, bluegill, hybrid. All I have seen around the Chicago area are stunted bluegill. I would greatly appreciate some guidance on some relatively small lakes within an hour or two from me. Small enough that I can cover a good portion of the lake. I would guess that would be most lakes with 9.9 limits or trolling motor only lakes. Also wouldn't mind finding a few lakes with big crappie to catch from the yak. I don't expect anyone to give me their best lakes, but somewhere I can catch some size. I am guessing redear are the biggest but I may be wrong there. Thanks to any help.
mmvikes, you are exactly 2 hr drive from Antioch IL and the Chain O'Lakes. Nice crappies and bluegills through out the system.
If you cast it they will come.
Slab will chime in there soon, he got a little ‘sperience up that way. Welcome from Central Florida.
Creativity is just intelligence fooling aroundCrappie Pro Wannabe LIKED above post
Yeah. I used to work in the Chain of Lakes area and hung out up there a bit. The chain had a lot of traffic on it. I was thinking it may be a little hairy being out there in a kayak with all the boats flying around. I know the fishing can be very good though.
Shabbona has crappie and bluegill. (And everything else) Lake can get busy but it's a 9.9 lake so it shouldn't get too bad in a kayak. It's a bit over an hour from Naperville.
Mike
I am hoping to find some less pressured lakes. That is why I am thinking I may have to go up to a couple of hours away. I have found some info online, but I am not sure if the articles are accurate or just "advertising " for the public lakes listed. I have a boat also, but really enjoy kayaking on a relatively small lake for fish. It is very peaceful. I fished sunfish and crappie quite a bit in my younger years in the Mississippi backwaters around La Crosse. Makes it a lot easier when you know the water.