Fox Chain offers incredible angling experiences

I predict that, once the ice is thick enough to support eager anglers, the frozen season will be just as spectacular as the recent soft-water run on the Fox Chain.

The past season has been what some have described as a super-destination location for a variety of species. In fact, guide captain Darrell Baker of Midwest Guide Service (847-337-5559) has been kept busy, taking area fishermen out for some of the best angling they've experienced in years.

Baker himself is like a proud papa when he sits in the stern of his fishing rig watching customers contribute to 200- and 300-fish days. And when he hauls ice fishermen out to some of his renowned hot spots, they generally hate to return home.

When I tell you that about 300 fish were caught during soft-water time, that means lots of jumbo bluegills, heavy-bodied crappie, catfish, walleye and often a couple muskies. Most of the catches are culled, with customers taking small limits home for the frying pan.

The Fox Chain has seen a lot of lean years. There were days in the early 1960s when stunted bluegills were the order of the day with an occasional channel catfish thrown in for good measure.

But now, most all of the Chain's lakes can offer an exciting day of very good fishing. In fact, the crappie population is managing to hold its own, especially on Lake Marie and Petite Lake. And it's not overly difficult to run in to quite a few muskies.

Some years back, it was the yellow bass that was the dominant species on many of the Chain's lakes. But the cycle changed, and white bass and crappie went into competition for forage and nosed out the yellow bass during spawning periods.

I've said this in previous columns, and it's worth repeating. Angling guru Spence Petros has seen it all during his decades-long outdoor writing career. He openly states that he has learned quite a bit from captain Baker, calling him one of the most instinctive anglers he's ever seen.

And when it comes to walleyes, in both spring and fall periods, Baker's customers keep his phone jingling.

Just how good is the Chain for overall fishing? Just check with the hordes of Wisconsin anglers who cross the state line when the Badger State's fishing seasons close.

Pull in to Channel Lake and witness all the Wisconsin boat registrations. These are the dedicated walleye fishermen who know that any given moment they could pop walleyes in 4- to 6-pound range. And the added excitement comes with ice fishing.

This is where Baker really shines. Petros and I have been with Baker countless times ice fishing. On one outing in particular, we hit the literally jackpot with jumbo crappies coming in on every jig drop.

If for some reason you've avoided ice fishing throughout your fishing life, give it a whirl this season just so you won't have to stay indoors, bored out of your skull.

I can just about guarantee you'll have plenty to tell your friends after a trip or two on the Chain.

Outdoors notes

Just in case you can't wait for your favorite local lake to freeze, you may "chill out" Saturday at the Henry's Sports ice fishing mini-show in the store on the near south side.

Seminars and free food should warm the cockles of your heart, starting at 10 a.m. at 3130 S. Canal St. in Chicago.

Fishing report: For the minions of devout, soft-water lovers, all is not lost just yet.

Fox Chain: The Lake Marie walleye bite is a thing to behold. Fish are active in fairly shallow water and hitting live bait rigs. Petite Lake is a good spot now for larger crappies. There seems to be a feeding binge with Lake Catherine muskies now. Better go for it.

Fox River: If you can get a boat near the McHenry Dam, you could "stumble" upon some hefty walleyes that recently showed up.

Forest Preserves: Even though there is a tad of ice covering some shallow areas on northern lakes, be advised that's it's unsafe for any ice fishing. Stay off until officials give the nod.

Lake Michigan: If you must, you would probably do slightly better on the far south side (Calumet Harbor) for the perch bite, even though it's nothing to write home about.