The walleye closed season ends May 15. If you haven’t been out in three months, Saturday is your morning.
The fish have been stacked in the channels since ice-out. They’ve had nothing to worry about from you. That changes this weekend.
For context on what the bite looked like in early May, check the May 1 fishing report.
Walleye: Go Right Now
Post-spawn walleye on the Chain are hungry and shallow. Water temps are in the low 60s, which means they haven’t pushed to summer depth yet. Pistakee channels and the deeper edges of Channel Lake are where I’d start. Fish 8 to 14 feet. Slow down more than you think you need to.
Jig and minnow is the call. Quarter-ounce head with a fathead minnow. Chartreuse or white. If you’re not getting ticks on the bottom, go down to a 3/16-oz and slow your lift. These fish are not chasing yet.
Slip bobber with a leech works too, especially if the wind dies and you want to cover the same water slower. Set it 10 feet and park over a channel edge.
Daily limit is 3 fish. Minimum size is 18 inches. Full current rules are on the Illinois DNR fishing regulations page. Keep track.
Crappie: This Is Their Moment
Crappie are spawning right now. They’ve moved shallow — inside 6 to 8 feet, near docks, brush, any wood they can find. Channel Lake is most consistent. Lake Marie has been good too. Petite Lake if you know where the structure is.
Slip bobber with a live minnow is hard to beat. Set it 5 to 7 feet and drop it next to anything vertical. If you’re working artificials, try a 1/16-oz jig in white or pink with a small paddle tail. Work it slow. Dead slow.
You’ll find them by finding one. They’re in schools. When you catch the first one, drop back in the same spot before you do anything else.
White Bass: The Run Is Winding Down
White bass came through the river channels hard in late April. By mid-May they’re tapering off, but you can still catch them if you find the school. Look at the Fox River connections and the Channel Lake current areas.
Small spoons and spinners. Match what the shad are doing size-wise. When you catch one, work that same water fast before the school moves. They don’t stay.
Northern Pike: Post-Spawn, Eating Again
Pike finished spawning a few weeks ago and they’re feeding. Not aggressive-aggressive yet — that comes with warmer water — but willing. Grass Lake weed edges. Red and white spoon, steady retrieve with some hesitation. Medium-heavy rod with a steel leader. Don’t skip the leader.
These fish are usually in 4 to 8 feet right now, just inside or on the edge of whatever green weeds are there. If you’re seeing vegetation, you’re in the right place.
Largemouth Bass: Coming On
Bass are in pre-spawn to spawn depending on where you are on the lake. Shallower bays warm faster. Grass Lake’s coves, the back end of Marie, anywhere you’ve got dark bottom and sun exposure — fish are moving into those areas.
Finesse rigs work better than they will in June. Drop shot, Ned rig, small swimbait. Don’t power-fish it yet. The bite is real but it takes some coaxing this time of year.
Perch and Panfish: Always
Yellow perch are active and school-oriented right now. Petite Lake and Channel have been consistent. Small jig with a minnow head, or a live minnow on a perch spreader. Nothing complicated.
Bluegill are starting to think about spawning. Give it another two or three weeks and they’ll be in the shallows in force. For now, a worm under a bobber over anything weedy is honest fishing and not a bad way to spend a Tuesday evening.
One More Thing
If you’re fishing the Chain right now and you haven’t been out since fall, get your gear sorted before the opener — and make sure your license is current before you go. The DNR checks run regularly on weekends, especially around the walleye opener.
Once you’ve got fish in the boat, the guide to cleaning and filleting your catch has you covered.
The fish are there. The walleye season opened Saturday. Go.