chicago area

[malzone griggs]

do anyone knows any special pond or lake to get nice blugills beside starverock, mazzonia, braidswoods? to many people.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Johnny Wilkins is your man. He's up there and can help. Just search his name among the member list.

[malzone griggs]

thanks.

[glenn spruille]

U can try turtlehead pond off 135th street. I was told that when they start to biting, they bite and you can get some good sizes. I'm waiting to the water temp. to rise above 60 degrees....

[malzone griggs]

135 and what I'm here in calumet city? Thanks

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

"...Turtle head is on Harlem just south of 135th street. T.H. used to be a great fishing lake.Over the years I have caught numerous fish over 5lb. The DNR started to weed control it a few years back, and last year it caused a massive fish kill. It was pictured in the South Town paper. There are still a few good fish, though - I got a 21" earlier this year. But the pressure is a bit high for such a small lake. Also try the small pond next to he big lake,I have gotten some nice fish out of it. HOPEFULLY THE LAKE WILL RECOVER." - -

From the Chi-town Angler website: http://www.chitown-angler.com/1fish/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=18607

[John Cachel]

You live south side of Chicago and I would go to fish Mazonia Lakes! Eagle Lake have some big redears, Pondorosa have some nice bluegills over 10 inch but I would like to fish smaller ponds far away from parking alot for big bluegills! Live bait and slip bobber for deeper water because the water is clear!  Theres not many lakes that have big bluegills in Illinois! I remember that Wampum Lake have large bluegills during ice fishing a few years ago and now probably none or few left from heavy fishing pressure! I caught some nice from Saq Quarries! You can catch lot of smaller bluegills around Chicago but not many over 8 inch! Too many people kept bluegills over 8 inch! I let big bluegills back to water and keep it quite for myself! If you catch 8 inch plus then let it back to water!

[malzone griggs]

yea i know what you saying,mazonia, braidswoods fish heavy, never been to pondarosa where is it located? i really like the river illinois, kankakee, miss. i go to a couple of ponds off 394 ford heights nice crappies not fish to heavy need 4x4.

[John Cachel]

Pondorosa lake is in southside of Mazonia State Park! You can stop by office to pick up a copy of map then you will know where to go! You can find map in google.com! I walk like hiking! Carry cooler full of baits with ice! No fun in the hot weather ..... worms stink and no good! Bring insect spray! LOT of ticks there! I wear rubberboot and use insect spray every two hours! Ticks, bugs, spriders, etc!

[John Cachel]

What about Calumet River? I heard some big perch there! Bass in the river so Bluegills might be there, too! Little fishing pressure and maybe you catch some big bluegills in Calumet River....? Around bridges, woods and rock walls would be my first spot to fish!