Is Braidwood due for a comeback?

[purduephigam]

Anyone fish it in the Chicagloand area? My day off is Tuesday, so I'm lining up lakes I'd like to hit throughout the season for day trips. My plan is to hit Mazonia and Braidwood in March/April, Geneva and Delavan basically from that point on.

I'm intrigued by Braidwood since I've heard much better things the last two years. Anyone else?

[BassManGuy]

It has some quality fish, can be crowded though due to limited open days. Another lake worth adding if you dont have it already is LaSalle Lake. Another cooling lake, and is one of the best in the state. I went last year for opening day, got there the night before around 11pm and the line was already to the main street and I had to park the rig on the side of the road with my flashers on for the night and slept in my truck. Well worth it though, caught the biggest smallie to date for me, and I fish lake michigan basically all summer long. That day I caught over 20 bass, smallest no less than 2 lbs, largest about 5.5 lbs. I will be there again this year! I dont think Braidwood compares to LaSalle in my opinion.

[tgrife]

Braidwood is CRAZY when it opens. And please make sure you study a map of the lake as there are points that are super shallow. There are a TON of lower units in the bottom of that lake.

Now, onto the fishing! It has improved over the past few years. It has some excellent cover deep off of points and the shallows produce some consistent fish. Earlier in the year there is better because when that lake heats up, the shad kill is overwhelming!! Its a nice place. You will catch fish there, however, be ready for a struggle to launch due to the crowd.

I second the opinion on Lasalle Lake. LOVE the smallies there.

Watch the wind on both lakes as well. Can get dangerous as they are "perched" cooling lakes. Great luck out there and let us know how it goes!

[Gambler Bob]

I would highly recommend LaSalle also, especially during the first week or two of it opening. I have been there mid week and have had 75 fish days, and alot of quality fish, both smallies and largies.

[bcspinner]

I have never fished Braidwood during the opening week so i cant speak to that, but i fish it at least six times a year and never once have had issues with crowds. The lake has not been kind to me over the years on average i end up with about 2 keepers a day.

Last year all summer I did really well on Shabbona lake fishing a frog in the weeds, also fished lake Wisconsin a few times late summer early fall and had good days throwing a jig around boat docks.

Good luck.

[bucketmouth4]

If you decide to come out west, give ma a holler, I will gladly take you out on Shabbona or Pierce. Have had good days on both.

[purduephigam]

So LaSalle is only worth it the first couple weeks of opening? My brother's been there once, they had a decent day cranking but a mixed bag and mixed emotions. Are there certain areas to hit for LM/SM?

[sterling11]

I'm not crazy about fishing the cooling lakes but I will if I have real bad cabin fever. Can't wait till to hit LG AND Sturgoen bay!

[Gambler Bob]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by purduephigam &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">So LaSalle is only worth it the first couple weeks of opening? My brother's been there once, they had a decent day cranking but a mixed bag and mixed emotions. Are there certain areas to hit for LM/SM? </td></tr></table>

The first couple weeks are the best, there are fish to be caught all year though.

[BassManGuy]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by purduephigam &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">So LaSalle is only worth it the first couple weeks of opening? My brother's been there once, they had a decent day cranking but a mixed bag and mixed emotions. Are there certain areas to hit for LM/SM? </td></tr></table>

I found that the bass there move constantly, all day long. I was on a good bite cranking parallel to the rocks closer one (edit) from the main channel of the discharge. The bite stopped, and I moved some until I found them again. Did that all day, it seemed like every hour they were migrating around. I think we are saying the first couple weeks are the best because the fish are still feeding pretty good, and the pressure hasn't beaten them up yet. The first few weeks tends to give that lake enough pressure to keep them hungry and looking, and after those first few weeks the outside temps start to get warmer and more people who didn't want to brave the frigid weather start coming and it gets crazy the bite starts to decline. Also, with warmer outside temps, the water temps being already warm will only get warmer and fishing will slow down as normal.

I promise you, you won't be disappointed if you go opening day. Get there the night before and plan to camp out. People have tents, bbq's, beer, its actually pretty fun. I know I'll be there again!

[3dees]

just so you know. the first two weeks on La Salle the lake is closed on Monday and Tuesday and you must be off the water at 12:30. God, this state sucks. I fish LaSalle until the water hits the mid 90's on the cold water side (ramp). after April, soft plastics fished at the base of the rocks are the way to go. lake closes around Oct. 15 just when the fish are getting active. did I mention that this state sucks.

[btsmbass]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by purduephigam &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> Geneva and Delavan basically from that point on. </td></tr></table>


Those are the only places to go. I went to Braidwood and the Des Plaines in April just to fish and wish I went to the half ice covered Winnebago or L Wisconsin instead. It may be colder but the smallies are still very active on the open WI lakes in April then fishing at Braidwood. Plus the size of fish are much much bigger.

Geneva and Delevan are all you need. Hit up Como and Whitewater too for your 6lber experience for the summer.

[Steve O.]

I fished LaSalle lake a lot in the past years. This year I did not get out there with the shortend fishing hrs. and the line of anglers waiting to get in to fish early in the year. So check lake hrs before you head out there to fish. The Lake also suffered a fish kill this past summer with the hot temps and the plant generating just was to much for the fish.

[gorzilla]

i have a summer home on white water ,6lb ers every yr

[purduephigam]

I'm not familiar with white water, where is this exactly?

[hanker71]

its right in outside of fort atkinson if i remember right.i havnt been there in probly 7-8 yrs but im goin this year.its cool ,the last time i was there i had about a 50 fish day.its basically right up 90.