Above-average temps perfect for early-season fishing

SPORTS

Sunday, April 1, 2007

I talked with one individual who was planning a crappie fishing trip to Tennessee and had talked with a resort owner that said the temperature was in the 80s down there. I said, "Shoot, the temperatures have been in the 80s here, too!" He smiled and nodded his head in agreement. We've been very fortunate with the early arrival of warm spring temperatures.

The agricultural community has received plenty of rain to help bring up the moisture content to the soil, but now all of us need a little reprieve in the rains.

The farmers need the surface soil to dry out a little so they can get their corn crops in and us fishermen need less water in the streams and rivers so we can catch a few fish.

It's no wonder folks that don't have anything in common can talk about the weather and find a type of mutual ground.

Warm waters

Tim Clewell is an avid muskie fisherman who fished Lake Storey this past week.

Clewell reported water temperatures were in the 50s from mid-lake to the east end. This warm of water temperature is almost unheard of for this time of year for our area. It's no wonder fishermen have been doing well.

I've talked with fishermen who have caught crappie, bluegill, catfish, bass and walleye this past week in area lakes and ponds. The rivers and streams have been very messed-up with the run off of recent rains and fishing them has been all but futile.

These rains have warmed the waters of lakes and ponds and allowed some decent catches.

"Big Bass" Bob Sundell from Abingdon was fishing a local lake with John Hanson a couple days this past week.

Bob lived up to his "Big Bass" reputation by catching a six-pound, seven-ounce bass from the back of the boat early in the week and a three-pound, nine-ounce bass from the back of the boat later in the week.

Both were caught on a Zoom Brush Hog.

Both fishermen caught smaller bass as well. Goes to show you - all you've got to be is a better fisherman than the guy in the front of the boat and you can catch the better fish!

Chad Harter and Chris Donovan know that with heavy rains catfish will be attracted to creeks that feed lakes. The dirty raising waters wash in bugs and worms and the catfish are there to feed on the incoming bounty.

Chad and Chris used nightcrawlers (dew worms) as bait to catch a couple heavy stringers on Friday and Sunday. The largest was a 19-pound, 11-ounce channel cat caught by Harter.

How late are you going to wait for the weather to get right so you can catch a fish?

Turkey season on the horizon

Next Saturday and Sunday is the Illinois Northern Zone Youth Turkey Season.

Young turkey hunters age 15 and younger who have an Illinois Youth Season Turkey tag can hunt wild turkeys with adult supervisor from a half-hour before until 1 p.m.

The regular Illinois Northern Zone Spring Wild Turkey Season will begin April 16.

New fishing licenses required

Don't forget to buy your 2007 Illinois fishing and hunting license before you head for the waters, timbers and fields.

Today is the first day the new 2007 Illinois licenses are required. Prices haven't changed from last year. An Illinois Resident Fishing License is $13 and a Illinois Resident Senior Fishing License (65 and older) is $6.75.