north central illinois stream report multiple trips

[Norm M]

weather varied from cold and sleet to warm shirtsleeve weather and just about anything in between, but that's spring in the Midwest. Latest water temp was 43.5 degrees, fluctuated in that neighborhood. Water levels have been dropping, very heavy green stain upstream in urban area, diminishing as you got downstream. too much algae on the bottom as you got downstream to fish a crankbait . Some downstream slack spots had 12-15 inches of visibility, greatly reduced visibility in the heavier flows. still a lot of snowpack on the southerly banks but negotiable .

lots of insect activity, geese getting bitchy about territory. seeing a lot more deer moving, hearing turkeys back in the trees early on. redwings , robins, turkey vultures all over. saw some eagles.

smallmouth on the current seams taking rattlebaits worked up against the current. swimming jigs with swimbaits on the seams also a good choice. downstream of bridge pilings producing better than the front or sides. singlespins over and around water willow stubble with a least a foot of water over them another option that was producing. in the downstream areas with algae issues a 5 inch kalins twister on a weighted keeper swam slowly above the bottom produced. hard jerk baits and rattlebaits around inflows got some bass. no fish on flukes or cigar type worms. chatterbait zeroed out as well. jig/pig, nada .

walleyes and channel cats on rattlebaits and rogues at inflows, flats and current seams, no sign of spawn starting yet though it's prolly not far off.

got a couple of nice drum on rattlebaits behind some larger rocks near shore kissed by the current

Peace