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Lakes & Reservoirs

Fox Chain O'Lakes Fishing Guide

Illinois

A chain of connected glacial lakes in northern Illinois with muskie, walleye, and bass.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Fox Chain O'Lakes for largemouth bass, walleye and muskellunge. The best months overall are Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, largemouth bass, walleye and muskellunge are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle); the closest is Buschs Bait Shop in Lindenhurst, 7 mi away. Milwaukee Lakefront is 45 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

In October

Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Muskellunge

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Fox Chain O'Lakes Species

Largemouth Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct

Walleye

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Muskellunge

Prime Now
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Best: Jun to Nov

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

11 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Muskellunge, Walleye · Big glide or jerkbaits in fall.

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  • Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Largemouth Bass

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  • Bass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Largemouth Bass

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  • Spinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.

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  • Bladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.

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  • Squarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Lipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.

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  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Walleye

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  • Jig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Walleye

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  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Walleye, Largemouth Bass

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Largemouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.

Walleye

Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Muskellunge

Fly 9 ft 10 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, big articulated flies, 80 lb bite tippet.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 9 ft heavy casting rod, 400 size reel, 80 lb braid, 130 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Fox Chain O'Lakes

Reels

Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel

A reliable baitcaster for jigs, Texas rigs, and moving baits.

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Crankbaits

Rapala Shad Rap

A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.

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Rods

St. Croix Musky Casting Rod

A heavy, long casting rod for big bucktails, jerkbaits, and figure-eights.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Line

Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon

Low-visibility fluorocarbon for leaders and clear water.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Fox Chain O'Lakes

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · Wisconsin · 45 mi

Milwaukee Lakefront

Harbor and river mouth fishing for kings and coho on Lake Michigan.

Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon

Lakes & Reservoirs · Illinois · 48 mi

Lake Michigan (Chicago)

Harbors and lakefront structure along Chicago with spring coho, summer kings, and perch.

Coho Salmon · Chinook Salmon · Yellow Perch