Outdoors notes

In my book, angling surveys are something akin to television viewer surveys.

In my opinion, the fishing surveys just don't seem to be highly accurate, especially when it involves sport fishing on the Great Lakes.

In Illinois, there is still a massive coalition of die-hard anglers who live and die with the never-ending reports written by bureaucrats, some of whom have never dropped a spoon in Lake Michigan and felt the savage strike sent up the line by a jumbo king salmon.

But alas, another survey from AnglerSurvey.com recently hit the street stating doom and gloom.

According to Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, the firm that ran this survey, "the major reason for people not fishing the Great Lakes fishing is they prefer other locations."

Fishing report

With the cold weather returning to our area, the Fox Chain should continue to offer very decent panfish and walleye action. There are some sections close to current areas that nay be dangerous.

Lake Michigan: Keep an eye on Navy Pier for improving perch action. The same holds true for Montrose Harbor.

Outdoors shows

If it's January, it is of course, outdoor show time. This weekend two events hope to attract the faithful:

• The Chicago Muskie Show kicks off its annual event at Harper College in Palatine, starting Friday and running through Sunday. The usual great muskie seminars will add fuel to your cabin fever.

• The All-Canada Show is going on now through Sunday at the Pheasant Run Center in St. Charles.