Central Illinois Catfishing Status

[Redtick]

Here is a picture of the current Central Illinois catfishing status, at least on my lake.

[Rat]

Yep, spring is in the air.

Somewhere.
Rat

[Flyingpig]

We had 12" of beautiful spring weather yesterday.
Almost can't tell there is a boat under it in the picture.

At least it done a lot of melting today

[TeamCatHazzard]

LOL just clean it out and lets hit the water!! LOL. we didnt get nearly as much here but I am ready for the warmer weather to stay

[bondman]

Glad to see it is almost gone I cant wait for the warmer weather. want some cats need to cure this itch I have...
Bondman

[malaki]

well its all but melted it just needs to warm up again! i'm sick of the cabin fever!!!:0a30:

[howards]

can't wait for spring.

[M_anstrom]

Fairbury, Ill here.... Ive already started my fishing season. Im on spring break from school so ive hit the vermillion every day since I got out. They're a little slugish but are biting. Infact, joking around:rolleyes: , I tied some line to a tree with a hook and some chicken liver dough, and left it yesterday. today I came back and there was a fish on... hooked himself! He was a lil one (almost plate sized) so he went back. The two best spots ive seen so far this spring have been the vermillion next the pontiac jail and vermillion dead east of Mcdowell. Good luck yall...

[M_anstrom]

The vermillion was doing great yesterday (4-13-06). I was there in pontiac fishing it with some friends right before that storm front and the water was up and the channel cats were hitting continously (plus one tiny flathead..lol). catch one and your other pole would get a hit...lol it was insane but then it just died completely. we were next to the walking bridge over by the pontiac jail. ;)

[Rat]

Mykal, I've fished both the spots you are talking about many a time.
Welcome to the board.
Rat

[Rivercat2]

I have been fishing on the Illinois and been doing pretty good on small live shad and cut bait. biggest so far was a 12lb blue.

[tehrealmccoy]

Hit the vermillion yesterday first in the morning between 7am and 1:30pm we were at the Red White and Blue bridge.. Lots of nibbles on stinkbait and I caught a small channel on worm.. About a pound to a pound and a half. Then we headed back to Streator and fished behind the armory where we caught 3 channels (off of worm) one was about 2 pounds but pregnant so we let her go. The rest were babies.

Stinkbait got nothing but nibbles but after a bad season last year we're starting off strong!

[Rat]

Brian, have you ever tried for flatheads at the RW&B bridge? I've seen pictures of some pretty nice ones caught there. 30 lbs +.
Rat

[tehrealmccoy]

Nah Thursday was the first day I've ever been there. I've heard that if you go to Marilla Park north of Streator and get some creek chub and head to RW&B at night with them you'll get flatheads. :)

[M_anstrom]

we hit the vermillion again yesterday, there where like 6 of us. We caught a bunch of bullheads and channel cats on bluegill tails. the bullheads were by the walking bridge in pontiac and the channel cats were at the bridge out downstream... too bad my friends are having a fish fry with our catches tonight and my sister wont let me leave b/c she wants to do some BS family crap...lol (and shes a fish hater, lol)

[SilverCross]

Welcome to the BOC Mykal.

[tehrealmccoy]

we hit the vermillion again yesterday, there where like 6 of us. We caught a bunch of bullheads and channel cats on bluegill tails. the bullheads were by the walking bridge in pontiac and the channel cats were at the bridge out downstream... too bad my friends are having a fish fry with our catches tonight and my sister wont let me leave b/c she wants to do some BS family crap...lol (and shes a fish hater, lol)
I've always wanted to try down by Pontiac. Isn't it really shallow over there? Oh well.. Can't get anymore shallow than here in Streator!

[TEAM CATTER]

I fish all year around I love becauce it's a little and Ican fish nights when I GET OFF FORM WORK.

[M_anstrom]

I've always wanted to try down by Pontiac. Isn't it really shallow over there? Oh well.. Can't get anymore shallow than here in Streator! It isnt that shallow... theres a couple good deep holes... to be honest Im thinking about hitting dawson lake this weekend...

[DRC]

had a bit of success at washington county in nashville il

beutiful little lake with camping and picnic tables a couple covered pavillions with a baitshop w/snacks
went last nite till 2:30 am then came home
heres some of our fun

all were released except the little bull he was gut hooked and ended up on the cutting board for bait.





;

[mongesf]

Anyone having any luck in Central Illinois?

[mongesf]

I;m from Beardstown BTW

[IL Hunter]

I caught a few...wasn't there a tournament in beadstown yesterday?

[mongesf]

I have no idea, there was alot of rain yesterday and today that's for sure

[IL Hunter]

I got out on the River between showers for a few hours on sunday, but Saturday was definitely not a pleasent day at all.

[M_anstrom]

So has anyone hit the water yet this season. Its a lil' early but we DID have a great little spell of summer before we got cold again. Personally I moved out of my sister's (the fish hater I previously mentioned) and in with my dad who is an avid wildlife person. so i've got a feeling i'll be out fishing even more this summer :D:D however I need to swing back up to fairbury and get my ugly sticks and equipment soon.

[Mickey]

Guys those pictures are depressing. Don't take anymore until true spring.:lol:

[Doyle]

Next week will be some good weather.... maybe. :smile2:

[BigGreen]

I went to Bloomington Lake about two weeks ago, when it was in the 60's, and got nothin not even a nibble. There was still some ice on the lake though, it might still be a bit cold for shore fishing.