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Banquets/Fundraisers April 15: Illinois Trap & Skeet Club NWTF Banquet, 5 p.m., Interstate Center, Bloomington. For more info call Rodney Graf, 309-261-4810. April 16: Cross Trail Outfitters of Illinois Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Fluid Events Center, Champaign. For more info call Eric St. Pierre, 217-480-2327. April 23: Illinois South WTU Banquet, 4 p.m., The Pavilion, Marion. […]

Lake Michigan: The northern harbors like Waukegan have been hit and miss from Johnson’s and Government piers. The downtown harbors have been producing fish very well this early season. The powerliners have been doing well on both the coho and the browns with a few steelhead mixed in. Nightcrawlers and fathead minnows are the baits of choice. Casting crankbaits or spoons have also been putting

Crab Orchard: Crappie action has improved. Many fish have moved shallow and some nice fish have been caught. Minnows are the primary bait. Bluegill anglers are reporting good success around the rip rap and boat docks. Wax worms are the best bet. Bass action has been good. Catfish have slowed. Lake of Egypt: Bass good

Sangchris Lake: Bass excellent on spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Catfish good on worms. Crappies are fair on jigs fairly shallow along rocks near dam. Lake Bloomington: Crappies good near and around brush on minnows and jigs. Bass and bluegills are slow. Clinton Lake: Bass are good on spinners, plastics and crankbaits in coves and at points

District 5 — Lower St. Croix area Warden Jim Cleven, of Colfax, attended a meeting in February to establish a new Explorer Post program for kids interested in conservation careers. The program is sponsored by the Dunn County Fish and Game Association. Warden Cleven also assisted the DCFG with an ice-fishing contest on Lake Menomin.

Banquet/Fundraiser  April 16: Lake Country RMEF Banquet, 4:30 p.m., Turlteback Golf & Convention Center. For more info call Peggy Lundmark, 715-822-2015. April 16: Wisconsin Packerland WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Stadium Valley Bar, Green Bay. For more info call 800-274-5471. April 16: Neillsville WTU Banquet, 5:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, Neillsville. For more info call Jill

ASHLAND AREA The ice keeps bouncing back and forth, opening some landings and closing others. Most trollers, when they can get out, are doing well flat-lining crankbaits out of Saxon Harbor, Sand Bay, and Bayfield. The streams, currently blown-out, do contain steelhead, so be patient – spring will happen. Angler’s All, (715) 682-5754. River Rock, (715) 682-3232. EAGLE

LAKE MICHIGAN/METRO AREA LAKES All of the area lakes are ice-free. It’s time to hit the water for panfish. The key to catching panfish early in the spring is to look for the warmest water along with green weeds in 15 feet of water or less. Prevailing winds will help determine which part of the lake to look for