BASS FISHINGBass Fishing Sports Blog

The Fantastic Lakes are used as the major mode of transport for bulk goods. Recreational boating and tourism are major industries along the Fantastic Lakes region.

The Fantastic Lakes of North America are a group of 5 large lakes which include Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. It is collectively the largest freshwater system on earth. the region includes portions of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York as well as the Canadian Province of Ontario and the 6 U.S. states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

The region forms distinctive economic and historical and political bi-national history, culture as well as a political economy. the Fantastic Lake region is distinguished for its significant contribution in culture, economy and technology.

The tourists are drawn to these natural attractions for very good reasons, and here’s why:

Fantastic Lakes of North America

Lake MichiganIt is the third largest Fantastic Lake of North America and the only one situated entirely within the United States. the lake is bounded from west to east by Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Visitors can cross it by riding a ferry that runs from Manitowoc, Wisconsin to Ludington, Michigan. It is home to bowfin, carp, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, pinfish, yellow perch, lake trout and some species of catfish.

Lake HuronThis is the second largest of the Fantastic Lakes bounded on the east by the province of Ontario, Canada and on the west by the U.S. state of Michigan. its surface is 176 meters above sea level and the average depth is 59 meters. there are several significant cities on Lake Huron such as Sarnia and Goderich, Ontario Canada as well as Bay City, Cheboygan, Rogers City, Alpena, Port Huron and St. Ignace, Michigan.

The lake is home to several fish and plant life like the now extinct deepwater Cisco. the notable feature here is the Manitoulin Island that separates the Georgian Bay and the North Channel from the lake’s main body of water.

Lake ErieThis is the 4th largest Fantastic Lake and the 10th largest worldwide. It is bounded on the south by U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, on the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan. It is primarily fed by Detroit River and it is drained via the Niagara Falls and Niagara River into Lake Ontario. some major contributors to this lake include the Cuyahoga River, Sandusky River, Maumee River, Huron River and the Grand River. the lake is home to one of the world’s largest freshwater commercial fisheries.

Rivers in Fantastic Lakes

St. Clair RiverThis river is situated in central North America that drains the Lake Huron into the Lake St. Clair. It is 64 kilometers long and 1.5 meters in elevation from the Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair. It is one of the vital areas of the Fantastic Lakes Waterway where cargo vessels pass through to travel between the upper and lower Fantastic Lakes.

Niagara RiverIt flows north from the Lake Erie to the Lake Ontario. the river serves as part of the border between New York and the province of Ontario in Canada. It features two large islands namely the Goat Island and Grand.

Saint Lawrence RiverIt is a larger river that extends greatly from southwest to northeast of North America. It connects together the Fantastic Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. the Saguenay, Ottawa and Richelieu rivers as well as Lake Champlain are being drained here.

David H. Urmann – About the Author:

For more information on Fantastic Lakes North America andThe Fantastic Salt Lake.please visit our website.

Other articles you might like;

• smallmouth bass fishing: SmallMouth Bass Fishing Pre-spawn
• bass fishing tips: Bass Fishing Tips and Techniques – Joe Thomas fishing a jig on Lake Erie
• bass fishing tips: Bass Fishing Tips – Sam Rayburn Recap
• smallmouth bass fishing: fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass
• smallmouth bass fishing: fly Fishing for Bass: Smallmouth, Largemouth, and Exotics

I am looking to take a fishing trip in the later part of this summer for 4 or 5 days with my friends. I am from northern Illinois, and am willing to drive 4-5 hours. There will be 6-8 people total, I would like to find a place with good bass and panfishing. I don't have a boat, so I would like to find somewhere that rents a boat also. Also a place with some kind of bar nearby is good also. I have looked online but have no thought what I am looking at.

Life O' Riley resort. Lake Vermillion Bay
lifeorileyresort.com

what lures should i use while fishing in Illinois for bass in the fall

do u have any tips on catching bass on soft plastic worms

before using a rubber worm, try shaking it up in a bag of salt. this makes the fish want to hold on and those bites can become good catches for you. it is something i have always done while fishing with rubber baits. also i really like the carolina rig around this time of year. give it a try.

Use a power baits by Berkly, there is sprays and other things you can place on rubber worms and other lures too. Fish slower for bass when it gets cold too.

I just use a rubber worm hook and a rubber worm, no sinker at all. it looks more real and acts more real than a Carolina rig or Texas rig.

Live bait is always best though, just remember. big bait big fish, little bait little fish.

try the joe bucker swimming joe, the 5in rainbow trout with a real slow retrieve. You'll place larger fish in your boat, good all year round,smallies, and largies. pike and muskie too

This link is to an article on fall bass fishing.

associatedcontent.com/article…

As the waters cool and algae dies off many lakes become much improved in clarity, so I've been using alot of natural colored worms with great success. like the Berkley Gulp 6" Nightcrawler in Natural color, its thinner than most artificials but has great action, only downside is with great flexibility it gets shredded after 1 or 2 hits.
I also believe lots of bass in my lake rarely sees this lure which raises their curiousity. out of six anglers on black/purple worms/senko's, I've matched their total catches alone. Even at night.

I'm looking to do a small Pike fishing here in Illinois, and I'm trying to find out if there are any decent lakes around me. Seems that everywhere I go all I get is Bass. as we all know they are plenty fun to catch, but I want to catch me some toothy critters! I'm looking for lakes that have quantity of fish, and other lakes that have quality fish. thanks in advance.

I'll give the best answer nod out as well.

Nope, only know some in Minnesota and Canada.

From the Northern Illinois Divisions of the National Bass Anglers Association …

The second season of the Northern Illinois Divisions of the National Bass Anglers Association (NBAA) will commence with the membership drive February 12 at the Bass Pro Shops Store in Bolingbrook.

Those teams or individual anglers that join NBAA that day will be eligible for special incentives throughout the year. the membership meeting starts at 11AM and special guest Mr. Carter Campbell, former NFL defensive end for the SF 49ers and NY Giants will be in attendance. 

Membership is 35.00 at the meeting and the tournament entry fee is 105.00 per boat. We support and donate a part of the entry fee to the Wounded Warrior Project.

2011 Tournament Schedule

Hello Everyone,

Just a few updates from the Saluki Bassers

First off.
We have brought in a few new members whom will be fishing as Saluki Bassers.
We would like to welcome the new members whom are as follows

• Aaron Connor
• Clay Guenther
• Nick Guenther

we are excited to have some new guys to fish with, and hope they enjoy the team.
Next.We have scheduled our team buddy tournament for this semester during tonights meeting.This Saturday (Feb 5th) we will be fishing at Lake of Egypt.For those attending, we are meeting up 615am at Macks. the cost is $20 per boat & $5 for huge bass
Also.Through the help of our faculty advisor Dr. Ed Heist we will be scheduling a day where we will make an appearance at an upcoming open house at SIUC where we will be talking with visiting high-school students, and possibly taking them fishing around the campus lake. more info will be posted on this page as the details are hammered out. So keep a look out.
And Finally.For those interested in the events our team will be competing in, and the appearances we will be making at upcoming events such as the Bass Master Classic in Louisiana Delta this year, please refer to the calendar as linked from our team homepage. 
Thanks for reading-The Saluki Bassers

Copyright ©2010. the Associated Press. Produced by NewsOK.com All rights reserved. this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.  

help clean up Overholser and Stinchcomb the sixth annual cleanup of Lake Overholser and the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge will be Saturday morning.

Volunteers are needed to pick up trash and debris on land and water. OKC Kayak is donating watercraft for the cleanup. Sponsored by the Friends of Lake Overholser and the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge, volunteers will receive a free lunch afterward at the Overholser Pavilion. For more information or to volunteer, contact Karen Miles at (405) 702-8192 or email Karen.Miles@deq.ok.gov Help clean up the lower Illinois a spring cleanup has been scheduled along the banks of the lower Illinois River on April 30. two conservation organizations, the 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Chapter of Trout Unlimited, are sponsoring the cleanup. Members of the two chapters will walk the banks of the lower Illinois to pick up trash and debris. the cleanup is from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lunch is provided to volunteers. For more information, email or call Greg Mann at (405) 401-3784. Paddle sports enthusiasts to meet the recently formed Oklahoma Paddle Sports Association will meet April 26 at the will Rogers Park Garden Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36. a camping/paddling outing is scheduled April 23 and 24 at Lake Thunderbird near Norman for both members and nonmembers of the association. For more information, email joannahudson@hotmail.com or visit the organization’s website at ok-psa.org. Bobwhite Scramble at Surrey Hills the Central Oklahoma 89er Chapter of Quail forever is sponsoring a golf tournament may 14 at Surrey Hills Golf Club in Yukon. Money raised from the Bobwhite Scramble will be used for Quail forever projects such as the organization’s annual Youth Shoot and Hunters Education Day and Military Appreciation Shoot. Registration is $115 per person for the four-person scramble. a barbecue dinner is included. Cash and prizes will be awarded for first, second and last place. For information, contact tournament chair Treka Wenner at (405) 255-8021 or email treka-wenner@hotmail.com Legislative update HB 1249 was signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin. it prohibits people from entering privately owned land to retrieve livestock or other animals, including hunting dogs, without first getting permission from the landowner. HB 1314, which repeals the prohibition of hunting white deer without first getting approval from the state wildlife director, passed the Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee and now awaits a vote of the full Senate. News Photo Galleriesview all

I'm going fishing this saturday at Silver Springs in Illinois, they just stocked the lake with Rainbow trout, catfish, large and small mouth bass, bluegill and crappie. so can anyone give me advice on bait/lures to use to catch a excellent number of trout. If possible, a legitimate source would be appreciated. thanks.

If your fishing for hatchery trout, they just are not that smart. a simple worm on bobber is sufficent. however, many anglers prefer salmon eggs on small treble hooks on a bobber or drifted.

For lures small chrome kastmasters, brown or yellow roostertails, or black and yellow panther martins are all effective.

i always get my limet on trout useing a panther martions in size 4 for bass i use a plastic worm

i was fishing a lake recently, fishing for largemouth with a crankbait and a ballsy azz trout hit my crankbait. it was a pleasant suprise! the lure was a Strike-king raddle trap thingy in SEXY SHAD. that sexy shad is a killer man.

Copyright ©2010. the Associated Press. Produced by NewsOK.com All rights reserved. this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.  

CENTRAL ?Arcadia: Elevation normal, water 52. Crappie fair to good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits at 6-8 ft. at the enclosed fishing dock in the mornings. All other fishing fair. ?Overholser: Elevation below normal, water 54 and murky. Channel catfish slow to fair on night crawlers and chicken liver behind the dam. Crappie slow to fair on minnows and jigs along rocky points and docks on the west side. ?Thunderbird: Elevation 2 3/4 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 6 ft. around structure. ?Wes Watkins: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water 54. Largemouth bass good on plastic worms and chatter boxes at 8-10 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around structure.

Advertisement NORTHEAST ?Birch: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water mid 50s and clear. Largemouth bass slow to fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 12-15 ft. around structure. ?Eucha: Elevation 2 3/4 ft. below normal, water 47 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs on the lower end of the lake. Largemouth bass fair on jerk baits and spinnerbaits. ?Ft. Gibson: Elevation normal, water 49 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on crankbaits at 15-20 ft. Crappie fair on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs at 15-20 ft. around the docks. White bass slow but moving up the creeks. ?Greenleaf: Elevation normal, water clear. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jig and worm along shorelines, creek channels and rocky points. Catfish good on fresh cut bait on bottom. Crappie good on minnows and jigs in green, yellow and red around fishing docks and brush structure. ?Hudson: Elevation 1 ft. above normal. Largemouth bass fair to good on crankbaits. White bass fair to good on small jigs and lures. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 12-16 ft. around brush pile areas. Paddlefish fair; most have not moved up river yet. ?Kaw: Water 48-50. Crappie fair on jigs at 10-15 ft. over brush piles and under the bridges and in the creeks at 5-10 ft. Catfish fair to good on shad in the main lake. ?Lower Illinois: Elevation normal, water 41 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on crankbaits in the coves. White bass slow on jigs at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Channel catfish fair on cut bait on bottom all along the river. Crappie slow on jigs at 1-3 ft. all along the river. Trout excellent glide-fishing the surface, on rooster tails at 1-2 ft. and on Power Bait on bottom above Gore Landing. ?Oologah: Elevation 1/2 ft. above normal, water 50-55 and clear on the south end and murky on the north end. Crappie and white bass fair on jigs in the big Creek area. White bass fair on jigs in creeks around the lake. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows 15 ft. around brush piles. Blue catfish fair on juglines baited with shad 15-20 ft. near the channel. White bass and crappie fair on jigs below the dam. ?Skiatook: Elevation 4 1/2 ft. below normal, water upper 40s and clear. White bass fair on rooster tails along rocky shorelines. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. ?Sooner: White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on sassy shad in the discharge. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around brush piles. ?Spavinaw: Elevation slightly below normal, water 50 and dingy. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs around the dam area. Largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits. ?Tenkiller: Elevation 4 ft. below normal and rising, water 52 and clear. Largemouth bass slow on soft bass jigs in shad or crawdad colors in coves. Crappie fair in docks mid-lake or in flats in upper end of lake. White bass fair on jigs or spinnerbaits in the upper end. ?Webbers Falls: Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass good on spinnerbaits and bill baits along riprap, creek channels and brush structure. Catfish good on fresh cut bait at 30-35 ft. Crappie good on jigs in black and green around bridges and brush structure. NORTHWEST ?Canton: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 51 and clear. Walleye fair on crankbaits and jigs along the dam after sundown. White bass fair on crankbaits and jigs along the dam. Largemouth bass fair on soft plastic baits in upper end of lake. SOUTHEAST ?Arbuckle: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water 53-57 and clear to stained up creeks. White bass being caught on chrome and black rattletraps and wiggle tailed jigs in creeks. Crappie good off docks early; moving to shallow water. Bass being caught on crankbaits, bass jigs and jerk baits in chrome and blue. ?Blue River: Elevation normal, water 54 and clear. Trout good on Power Bait and in-line spinnerbaits and good glide-fishing on woolly buggers, San Juan worms, caddis flies, and midges. Smallmouth and spotted bass good on small soft plastics lures and shallow diving crankbaits around structure. Channel catfish good on liver and stinkbait fished in deeper holes. ?Broken Bow: Elevation 6-7 ft. below normal, water mid to upper 50s. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass fair on jigs and spinnerbaits around structure and rocky banks. White bass being caught on rooster tails and roadrunners up the river. Crappie good on minnows and jigs at 10-12 ft. around structure. Walleye fair on rogues and grubs in the upper end. ?Eufaula: Elevation 3 1/2 ft. below normal, water clear. Largemouth bass fair on jerk baits and plastic baits along rocky areas. White bass good on jigs below the dam when running water. Blue catfish good on fresh shad along the flats. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 5-10 ft. along rocky areas, I-40 riprap and docks with brush. ?Hugo: Elevation normal, temp 58. Crappie fair to good on minnows along the river channels around brush and standing timber. White bass good on shad colored crankbaits and rattletraps. Blue catfish fair on cut bait below the dam. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair in jigs below the dam. ?Konawa: Elevation normal, water 58 and clear. Largemouth bass fair on plastic worms at 4-6 ft. around points and weed beds. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on minnows and jigs at 15 ft. in the discharge canal. ?McGee Creek: Elevation 18 inches below normal, water 50 and clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 15-20 ft. around cedar brush off main creek channels. Largemouth bass fair on swim baits fished 10-12 ft. deep in 20-25 ft. water ?Pine Creek: Elevation below normal, water murky. Bass good on dark colored spinnerbaits and rattletraps. Crappie being caught on jigs entering shallows. Catfish fair on night crawlers with pole and line. ?Sardis: Elevation 1 1/2 ft. below normal, water 58 and murky. White bass fair. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 35 ft. ?Texoma: Elevation 1 ft. below normal, water 47 and clear. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fair on jigs and combination baits to good at 10-20 ft. in creek channels. Striped and white bass fair to good on live bait, slabs and sassy shad at 15-30 ft. in river channels. Channel and blue catfish fair to good on worms, minnows and cut shad at 10-20 ft. from Catfish Bay to the Washita River. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 5-15 ft. in the upper ends of the creeks. Paddlefish fair below the dam while generating. ?Wister: Elevation normal, water murky. Largemouth bass fair to good on dark colored jig and worm and spinnerbaits along road beds. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at 20-25 ft. around structure. Channel catfish fair on juglines baited with cut shad, liver and night crawlers. SOUTHWEST ?Altus-Lugert: Elevation 14 1/4 ft. below normal and steady. Catfish fair. Crappie fair at floating fishing dock and near Hicks Mountain. White bass fair. Walleye fair. ?Ellsworth: Elevation 2 1/2 ft. below normal, water murky. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs at Ralph’s Resort. Catfish fair on cut bait around windy points. ?Foss: March 10. Elevation 1 1/4 ft. below normal with gates closed, water 50s and clear. Crappie fair on live bait around new fish dock next to main ramp on south side. Striped bass hybrids fair in deep water with slabs. Catfish fair. ?Lawtonka: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie fair to good on minnows and jigs in deep water at the dam. ?Tom Steed: Elevation 3 ft. below normal, water 50 and slightly murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs at 10-15 ft. near brush structures. Saugeye fair on jigs at 5-10 ft. along the rock areas. ?Waurika: Elevation below normal, water 52-54 and murky to muddy. White bass and striped bass hybrids fair on white jigs along windy shorelines and points. Blue catfish fair on cut shad along windy points and shorelines. Crappie slow along rocks at Walker Creek, Corum Bridge and docks. News Photo Galleriesview all

I am going to Northern wisconsin on June 10-14. I will be fishing a lot on poupart lake, my friends family have cabins on it. I live in Illinois and I am having a hard time finding water temperatures. I need to know what they are so I can decide if bass are in clear-cut summer patterns or if they are transitioning out of the spawn or if the are possibly still spawning.

If anyone knows what the water temps are up there or have experience bass fishing up north this time of year I would greatly appreciate any info.