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I am moving to north east Illinois from Florida in a couple months. The hunting looks absolutely outstanding compared to what we have in Florida. The fishing on the other hand doesn’t look to spectacular. I did a Google images search for “Illinois bluegill crappie”; the fish looked really small. I hope it’s not really like that. Are there eating size bluegill and crappie in the Rock River or the Mississippi? How many month of fishing do you have?
Thanks
Plan on traveling nothing but people and crowds in NE IL. I live outside joliet and good crappie fishing is about 3 hours south. There are some small lakes that aren,t bad from what I hear but motor restrictions keep me off of those lakes. Illinois has a lot of restrcitions for hunting and fishing we go north to Wi for major fishing trips. The Il river offers multi species fishing but water levels have been low til now wow what a change
Where at in Illinois? By NE, I think you mean the dreaded "C" word. If so, I'd head to Geneva, just over the border. Big crappies and monster bluegills, but a hard lake to learn, especially since it is so filtered as a result of the zeebs. I grew up on the Mississippi and the biggest crappie I've ever taken was 18". You can catch 12"-15" fish readily, when you learn the water.
slimecoat:welcome, there is alot a great fishing here in Illinois both in rivers and lakes and alot of great ppl to help you out if needed. Most of the smaller lake ppl don't talk about cause they don't want it over fish and I can't blame them abit. To find out about those lakes just talk to the ppl that have boat in the city your moving to or the chamber of commerse in that areas. If your up in this area in the weekend of May 17-19, come to Shelbyville/Findlay to Eagle Creek cause we're having a crappie camp and you'll get to meet some good ppl and fishermen and get a chance to learn alittle about Lake Shelbyville.
Good fishing in Illinois. Just have to take time and learn. Lots of lakes in southern ILL that have great crappie. How many months of fishing. 12 if you don't mind fishing power plant lakes and braving the cold on some. I live in south central ILL and had some fantastic days catching crappie on local lakes saturday after thanksgiving, we braved the cold and sleet and still put 75 plus fish in the boat. Not all big but we caught fish. Rock river one of the best for flathead catfish. They are fun and great to eat also. Good luck
Thanks for the welcome
So where are you moving to in NE Illinois? By the way :welcome to Illinois. Watch out for Wilbur
I’m not sure yet. For some reason everyone outside Chicago hates Chicago. It’s like the rest of the state and Chicago are two completely different cultures. It may be better for me to move to option B which is out in the country near Moline, I have family there. I plan on substitute teaching so I can go anywhere. I’m looking over the fishing and hunting digest and the rules are three times a detailed as they are in Florida.
If I had a choice between Moline and Chicago I would take moline every time. You are right on the river and close to good fishing.
Chicago is Illinois black eye.
I vote for Moline as well. Duck hunting and deer hunting is better. Less traffic Iowa has great phesant hunting. Big deer as well. Lower taxes can be found away from Chicago.
Wish you the best in your decision. Keep in mind Keokuk, IA is probably the best pool on the Mississippi River IMO.
There is a lot of good fishing in southern Illinois. You should know that the state of Cook County hates your guns (should you have any). I'm going to guess that you are leaving a state that is far more sportsman friendly than Illinois.
You need to move to central Mississippi.
I wouldnt move anywhere near chicago...as far as i know there isnt any real good fishing around that crazy city anywhere. I fish the mississippi river year round about an hour north of moline and we catch plenty of everything. Lots of crappie, gills, perch, walleye/sauger, bass, and whatever else you like to catch basically. The rock river has some good walleye fishing and some of the best cat fishing around if you like to chase a few cats. Lots of ducks on the river if you care to chase some waterfowl and plenty of deer if you can find a place to hunt. As far as the fish being small in illinois...i wouldnt say that at all. You just have to learn where/how to catch fish and im sure its going to be way different than what your use to in florida. Ill put a few pics up of what the Mississippi River has to offer.
a little of everything
I live in Northern IL. Dixon to be exact. That's about half way between Chicago and Moline right on the Rock River. Good catfishing on the Rock and the walleye / sauger fishing isn't too bad. I'm only about an hour drive to the Mississippi river and as Heath 88 has said there is some good fishing there. Im as close to Chicago as I want to be. Actually too close. If you like shootings, muggings, thieves, and crooked politicians then by all means head to Chicago. I would head for Moline, even though Heath 88 does sport a Hoyt hat. LOL. Just kidding Heath. But I could send you a PSE hat.
**I think you meant to say bowtech?:donoQuote:
Originally Posted by crappie&shrooms
Illinois is a different state than florida by far, but, doesnt take long to figure things out. It truly does have some great fishing. Chicago IS a state, we all hate chi town. Iffin I were you id agree with everyone else and stay away from there. And cray is right, mississippi is pretty sweet for fishing..and dog deer! haha
I dont know that Hoyt hat was awful expensive so i have to get my use out of it. Chicago is bad but id say you guys in Dixon are on a pretty good streak of crooked people! Im in Polo
Heath 88 Nice catch.
LOL. Yea you sure got that right. No wonder Dixon can't afford to fix their streets.Quote:
Originally Posted by heath_88
But back to original subject for the original post. Chicago, Moline or anywhere in between you will be 4-5 hrs from shelbyville. Probably the best fishing lake in IL.
Wherever you move good luck and let us know when you get here.
Mississippi river you are there! Crappies, gills and walleye!
To put things in perspective. Chi-Town has both hunters and fisherman and lots of them. The problem is there are lots of them in a relatively close area. The further you get from the big cities the better the hunting and fishing. Deer hunting in Illinois is tough the closer you get to Chicago. If you don't own land to hunt on, you will have to rent/lease it, like 1200-1500 for the season. Shotgun season is two weekends, first weekend is 3 days (Fri-Sun), second weekend is 4 days (Thurs-Sun). Always falls on the weekends before and after Thanksgiving, not the weekend right after Thanksgiving, but the weekend after that. You can hunt some public lands, however get in line. Literally, the day of the hunt you need a permit, and you wait for a drawing.
Archery season is a better option Starts Oct 1st and ends mid January, only closed during Gun seasons for deer.
Used to be a Muzzle-Loader only season, and a pistol only season for deer as well. Plus youth hunts.
Now if your talking bird hunting, that can be great.
If you want to fish during hunting seasons, check with your fishing location. Each is different, some are closed during water fowl season, and deer season, some are open half days, some are open to bank fishing only.
As for the deer, hard to beat corn feed dear. They get big, and taste great. Not like those skinny little runts you got down south. :biggrin
Fish size depends on where you go. Generally the warmer the weather through out the year the bigger the fish. Generally the less populated areas have less fishing pressure and also have big fish. Farm ponds or old strip mines are the best.
There are plenty of Sportsmen Clubs in the state. Once you figure out where your going, search for the local clubs and see what they offer. Some aren't cheap.
That ought to get you started. :juggle
Good morning Illinois......it was 92 here yesterday.....come on down!!
Morning...That is little To Hot for me.
Just rub it in Spec. I just looked out the window and it's 39* and a snow shower blowing thru. See what your missing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Speckanator
I like winter, it keeps the part timers inside. :hatchet:
Heath 88, nice fish that makes me feel better.
Thanks for the information; I have all the hunting seasons marked on next year’s calendar already. I plan on hunting public land maybe Big Bend, looks good fram satellite.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hanr3
Moving north is looking better except for the no concealed weapons and having to take the tint off the truck windows!!
Illinois, financially, is in a BIG hurt. School districts are feeling that hurt, with delayed funding and cuts from the state. Iowa's governor, on the other hand, is really pushing elementary and secondary education. Other pluses...Iowa isn't financially broken, like Illinois....Iowa has concealed carry....No FOID card....Iowa isn't totally dominated by the most corrupt city and county in the US-Chicago & Cook county. You could live on the west bank of the Mississippi and not have to deal with the insanity of Illinois politics...like 3 of our last 5 governors going to jail.
plenty of good fishing in moline area. lots of public spots that hold nice gills and crappie and many farm ponds (a staple here) can also be loaded with georgia strain hybrid gills into the 10"+ area and 15+ crappies. you can find these fish on the rock and mississippi but its a learning curve with the rise and fall of the river. we really only get 2 month of ice fishing so you've got 10 months of open water and ice fishing really is a blast. heath and i can get you going if you do choose the west part of the state.
You can have tinted windows now.:biggrin
Deer season like stated is weekend before thanksgiving. Also the first weekend in dec. Then there is Muzzle loader only season the second weekend of Dec. The the late season Doe only the last weekend of Dec. The there is a week long Doe only the second week of Jan.
Want great fishing and hunting in Illinois? Move to Southern Illinois! It's a whole different world than the Northern part of the state. We have a bunch of great bass and crappie lakes all close together, and the deer and turkey hunting is spectacular! As a teacher, you will be welcomed warmly, and your talents appreciated! It's slower moving, friendlier and a lot warmer than the north, too! I know from experience. We retired to Lake of Egypt 8 years ago from Joliet. We were both born there, and this truly is a different world!
That's an under statement. There is so much difference in Northern and Southern IL you would think you were in a different country. LOL. Unbelievable how much of a temperature change there can be. In the summer the warm weather is 3-4 weeks earlier in So IL. In the winter COLD weather is 3-4 weeks ahead in NO IL. I was born and raised in Southern IL. Cobden, Anna, Alto Pass area. Love it down there. But moved north many years ago for work. One thing I don't miss about SO IL is the rattle snakes and copper heads. Actually more so the copper heads. Them little ****z is sneaky and mean.Quote:
Originally Posted by hairy lures
In a nutshell, "it sucks, sucks, sucks..."
like fishing a powerplant lake in late december in -13 degrees to just catch a bluecat
What everyone above has said is true but don't forget Lake Michigan. Fun fishing can be done there. Also you will be very close to great fishing in Wisconsin. Northern Illinois has some decent lakes but nothing close to anything in the south.
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Wow. Just noticed how old this post is.
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