It was just another day of fishing for the Fox Chain Angler Tim Wallies
except for the fact it was December and there is usually ice by now
where he was fishing. With the weather being abnormal lately in the
Midwest, Tim decided to hook up the boat and go out chasing fish. It was
a windy day, the winds where blowing 20+mph at times which made boat
control not so great. Either way the angler was just happy to be on the
water as most anglers would be. Tim started out drifting suckers for the
day in hopes of catching a Muskie. Well to his surprise that is exactly
what he did. This time was like no other before though. Tim has spent a
good amount of time chasing Muskie all over the midwest. His biggest to
date before this special day on the Fox Chain was 49in. He has spent 14
years chasing ski’s and has never caught one 50in. or more. This was
the day though. Tim felt a tug on his line and in no time set the hook,
but little did he know he was going for the ride of his life. At first
glance Tim knew she was at least 50″. The fish took him on a dance
around his entire boat during the fight which resulted in a very sore
back. Tim got her up to the boat, scooped in the net, and out came
probably one of the biggest Muskie ever caught on the Fox Chain. Tim
couldn’t believe his eyes and what he had accomplished. With no camera
in the boat or another sole on the lake, Tim called his wife and son at
home asking them to meet him for a photo shoot at the nearest pier. The
wife grabbed the camera and son and headed to the dock. Meanwhile Tim
made sure the fish was live and well, and put her in his livewell and
headed for the dock. As the wife and son arrived Tim pulled her from the
box, and to his sons amazement was almost scared to go near the monster
fish due to the size. They snapped a bunch of photos, gave hugs and
kisses, and Tim went on his way back to the spot he caught the monster
to release her for another day. Tim put the fish back where she came
from and asked that she came back to visit him another day. The fish was
a whopping 50.75 inches long with a girth of 23 inches. Tim didn’t get a
weight on her, but he had stated it was an extremely heavy fish. The
following are a few of the photos that he had taken with the beast.

Illinoise wisconsin fishing blog

It’s that time of year again. When you wake up in the morning and have to scrape your windows before you drive to work in the dark and you are lucky to see daylight when you get home from work. But there is one good thing about this time of year. It is going to start forming ice. After the ice starts it is time to break out the ice fishing gear.

Before any ice fishing season you should go through all your equipment and test it at home before venturing out on any lake. This will save you many headaches and cold fingers out on the lake.

First of all I check my ice fishing clothes and wash them before the season starts. I make sure my long underwear is in good condition as well as all my outer wear. Make sure to patch any holes or replace it before the season because there is nothing like a nice December wind blowing through you outerwear right onto your clothes to put a chill into you. Make sure you have a fishing towel. I prefer to use a golf type towel so I can hang it up in my ice shack so the heater keeps it nice and warm and dries it faster. This is actually a necessity on the ice so you can dry your hand after handling fish or minnows. This will keep your hands a whole lot warmer. Invest in some quality socks. My favorite socks are Black mountains from The Gene Edwards Company. They are fairly expensive but well worth the money. They stay up on your leg even after walking great distances and wick the sweat away from you while retaining the heating qualities. Good quality outwear is a must as well. Try to get something with at least a waterproof lower because of the constant kneeling in the snow and water near the holes. Boots and gloves are very critical too. I prefer Rocky and La Crosse boots. I have owned both and they are both warm and comfortable. Also pick up a pair of ice cleats especially for early ice when there isn’t any snow yet.

After you get your clothes ready and make sure everything is in working order including the zippers and any tie downs it is time for the fishing equipment.

I check all the assemblies of my rod and reel combos. Make sure the reel is securely attached to the rod. Then change all the line on the reels. I use Berkley’s Micro Ice line. Make sure the reels are lubed and ready for the season so you don’t get unwanted squeaks or reel hitches on the ice. The frozen air will accentuate the problems.

Tip-ups should have their braided line changed at least every other year. Use one that won’t freeze up or kink.Then tie some new monofilament leaders. I prefer a 2-4 foot leader. I also make my own steel leaders for northern fishing as well using braided wire. Make extra leaders up ahead of time so you don’t have to tie on hooks out on the ice and you can just unclip it and put a new one on. Make sure to use a good swivel for you tip-ups as well. Check the grease in the tip-ups to save it from freezing up on the ice too. Also check the condition of the flags. If the flags are torn or loose on the shaft replace them.

Now that your rods and tip-ups are ready to go it is time for the ice shack. If you have a portable shack set it up in the garage or your yards and make sure the sled is in good condition and patch any holes or trouble spots. Check the canvas thoroughly. Patch any holes in the canvas and spray it down with a water repellant spray to make sure that water doesn’t leak in as much as possible. Check all the pivot points and tubing as well.

On a permanent shack you will want to check the runners and make sure they are solid and not rotting or cracked. Check the walls and make sure they are not damaged as well as the windows. Check the floor to make sure there are no weak spots or rotten boards. Replace all broken or week parts of the shack.

Ice augers are one of the most important items in ice fishing. There are several types to choose from. I usually use a spud bar early in the year but mainly to check ice conditions every few feet. Ice can for very unevenly and safety is first priority. I like to use a hand Lazer auger early in the year or when fishing in large groups of pan fisherman because some are offended by power augers even though I don’t personally feel they affect the fish even in shallow water. I have drilled hundreds of holes in as shallow as 3 feet and seen fish under my hole right after drilling with my Jiffy power auger.  I do use a power auger most of the year because I drill many holes per day to find and follow fish as they move. The main thing to check on the augers and spud bar is to make sure they are sharp. Any blades should be replaced or sharpened before the season start. Power augers should have new gas put in them and a new spark plug and then test to make sure it is running properly. If it is not running properly take it to a small engine repair shop for a tune-up to insure a year of good use. It is a lot better to know your auger will work before you drag it out on the ice and it doesn’t run. I always carry an extra spark plug with me too as they tend to foul out occasionally.

Once your augers are ready it is time for the rest of your ice fishing gear. Make sure to have your tackle ready to go. Untangle all you tackle and sharpen hooks or replace them with new ones. Also on new jigs punch the eyes out before putting them in you tackle box to save time and possible cold fingers having to do it on the ice.

Next up is your heater. Check all the connections and test your heater. Make sure the heater is in good working order. If it flames up get it serviced so it will run properly.

Another useful tool on the ice is a lanyard. I put a jaw spreader, depth finder, clippers, jig eye cleaner, and forceps on them for easy use. Other useful tools a 5 gallon bucket for your fish which I line with a garbage bag so I can remove the fish easily after fishing and it doesn’t make a mess out of my bucket. Grocery bags work well for this. Check the condition of your bait bucket for leaks or cracks. Make sure your minnow scoop is in good order as well. They are very cheap to replace. I prefer the floating nets so I don’t have to stick my hands as far into the water.

If you have a Vexilar or Aqua View make sure to charge the batteries and test them before taking them out to the lake.

After you have everything ready to go and head out for the lake be extremely careful to be sure that the ice is safe. I don’t like to go onto ice thinner than 3 inches. Make sure to test the ice every few feet to insure safe travel especially if you are the first one out.

Remember think safety first, be considerate to others out on the ice, don’t leave any trash out on the ice even if it isn’t yours, and if you check all your equipment first you will have a safe successful season.

writteb by Dale Helgeson from outdoor experience

Fishing has been very good for White bass in the last few weeks ,Fox Lake Fishing has been getting good reports The minnow bite is definitely on and the White Bass are in feeding frenzy mode.  Fish 5 to 12 feet of water.  The fish are piled up at the drop offs and the feed is ON!!! Use three way rigs with a #4 light wire Aberdeen hook. Jigs tipped with spikes or wax worms worked as well. White Bass are also up the river at the State Park. The fishing just keeps getting better!  I hope some of you guys can get out and take advantage of this.

Because of host base availability and  low sponsorship due to the economy I have decided to hold
off  to next spring for the next Tournament ,I just want to make sure the Tournament remains successful

 I really tried but just didn’t seem to fall together for this fall

I’m so sorry 

but the May Tournament will be bigger than ever !

are getting ready to catch some lunkers !

   Check out this Video of pass Fishing and Family days

Ice Shanty Contest

Here’s an opportunity to win $100. Enter our Ice Shanty Contest on Saturday, February 12 at headquarters. There will be two categories judged, best presentation & most creative One winner in each category will receive $100. Winner will be announced at headquarters on Sunday, February 13th prior to the auction at (approximately 2:30 pm).

Sponsored by
Northern Illinois Conservation Club
5lst Chain O’ Lakes Ice Fishing Derby & Winter Festival

$100 Cash for each category
Best Presentation & Most Creative

The winner of each category will receive $100 cash. Winners will be announced at Headquarters on Sunday, February 13th prior to the auction (approximately 2:30 pm).

Contest Rules:

1. Registration will open at 7:00 am on Saturday, February 12th at the announcer’s trailer at Headquarters on Channel Lake.
2. All entries must be registered by 11:00 am on Saturday.
3. All entries must be homemade.
4. Your entry number must be displayed on the outside of your shanty.
5. Judging will begin at noon on Saturday, February 12th and will continue through the afternoon.

James will memorialize your Trophy catch by capturing it in the form of a beautiful watercolor print. which comes complete with a hand written section containing the date, size,and location of where you caught the fish. What a great way to commemorate a young persons first fish or make a special gift for your favorite Angler

Malissa Bader with this huge Carp caught on the Fox River

With all this rain we had ,we now have Ideal fishing conditions through out the Fox chain . Fox Waterways has the chain and upper river at NO WAKE condiotins  and lowe river Closed . with the high water and increase  current and no boats flying around  makes the Fox chain the best fishing in years !

This is just one of the fishing reports from  our Forum

Click below to sign up

http://www.foxlakefishing.com/fox-lake-fishing-derby-registration/