ICE FISHING THE CHAIN

It is ice fishing time on the Chain-O-Lakes as well as elsewhere in northern Illinois. With due care as to safety, ice fishing is an inexpensive and basic way of enjoying winter ground pounding. Granted some ground pounders do pursue winter fishing in a more sophisticate manner with special ice houses, electronic equipment, etc. But, these are the basics and all that is really needed.

The Chain-O-Lakes is composed of a series of interconnected lakes north of Chicago.

With a minimal investment, ice anglers find the technique is easy to master and the fellowship with other anglers a great deal of fun. The basic tackle includes standard ice fishing jigging rods with ice jigs, (green, pink, red, white and purple are good colors) a very small float, and selection of baits. The baits are usually minnows, mousies, spikes and wax worms that are available at local bait shops.

The ice should be about 4 inches thick for safety. The novice is best advised to go where the crowds are to be found. They have already tested the ice and found it suitable. There are a number of springs in the Chain and the ice over them is generally much thinner. One should dress warmly as the wind over open areas can really be rough. Layering clothing allows the ground pounder to add or remove clothing to control his comfort level.

Many people have a portable ice shanty or tent to get in out of the elements. Barring that, one should have a sled, piece of carpet or something that allows the angler to get his feet off the ice.

On Channel and Catherine lakes look for the fish to be a little deeper. Look for structure in the form of weed flats, holes and snow patches on the ice. Fish will form up under a snow patch. In most of the lakes, fish will be found in about 7 to 10 feet of water that contains weed beds or flats. The best and probably the most popular lake is Petite Lake. It is best fished on weed days as the weekends can be over crowded. Grass Lake is too shallow for very good ice fishing.

Spring Lake and Nippersink Lake have fast currents and as a result the ice conditions can be dangerous. They are probably best avoided early in the season.

Ice fishing for such species as Bluegill, crappie, perch and white bass (called stripers locally) can be a lot of fun on the Chain. Occasionally, anglers tie into a walleye or catfish and that is a ball on these small ice fishing rigs.

For more information about the conditions and to locate some bait, call some of the resorts and bait shops listed in magazines and newspapers, online or in the local phone book. They are all anxious to help.

                                                   Don Gasaway - The Ground Pounder
                                                   http://www.dongasaway.wordpress.com/