February 18, 2016

Fox River: During the winter months, the fishing really tends to slow down on the river, however, there are still some good opportunities for quality fish. For smallmouths, now is the time to look for some of the warm-water discharges found along the river. Fish using live minnows with a small hook and a few

Newton Lake: Bass biting has picked up near the ash pond. Bluegills picking up quite rapidly. Crappies are good. Catfish are biting on nightcrawlers. Spring Lake: Muskie fishing has been fair to good. Crappies are biting on minnows in 8 to 10 feet of water. Evergreen Lake: The lake has been up and down, as far as biting goes. Crappies

Crab Orchard Lake: Bluegills are being caught on worms. Crappies fair on minnows. Bass action has picked up on the west side, but still slow near shorelines.  Baldwin Lake: Bluegills getting better on worms. Warm-water areas good for channel catfish, though those being caught are small. Anglers are tossing crankbaits around rip-rap and catching a few bass. Carlyle Lake: Crappies

Lake Michigan: Fishermen have been catching a lot of small perch through the ice near the docks in harbors and in open water spots where access can be had. Fishing small jigging spoons tipped with spikes as well as smaller jigs with plastics have been producing very well. The reports on the perch have shown a