[Mhimes28]

My brother is coming up from Urbana next Friday, I'd like to take him and my dad fishing. We have 16ft aluminum boat. Where should we go within 2 hours of Elmhurst? Shabonna? Illinois River? Lk Michigan?

[Pannie Popper]

What are you trying to catch? I'd say muskies on the Chain, but I've had muskies on my brain all year.

[Mhimes28]

Chain sounds good, but I'd hate to buy the dumb sticker just to fish it like once or twice. Maybe next year I'll get it. I typically just drive the extra 30 minutes and go to Delavan.

[mops7]

I'd do Geneva over Delavan. Dragging live bait in 20' of water can be deadly this time of year. Mops

[Paul S.]

Lake Geneva would be my choice too.

[big saw]

Definitely Lake Geneva.

[minnow]

I think you can buy a daily pass for the chain

[colddriver]

Yes they do offer dailey passes! I bought one last week.
Currency exchange on rt.12. So im.saying the chain, excellent multi species this time of year, herd the channels are starting to get some fesh in them

[Mhimes28]

Pannie, I typically target walleye. I haven't made the investment into proper musky gear yet. Anyone recall the cost of that daily chain pass? Is there any action to be had on the lake front at this time out of NP or waukegan. Smallmouth or perch? Lakers? Seems like lake Geneva or the chain are the best options so far. I appreciate you all for chiming in. By the way I fished Busse this morning at dawn, I have not caught anything there all year. Is it just me or has the fishery been struggling lately?

[TyeeII]

I would bank on there being some Brown trout action close to shore out of Waukegan. South of the harbor between Great Lakes and Highland Park has some good structure that holds Gobies and Brown Trout should be there if the temps are right. If the water isn't too clear or too murky, I have had some good success finding them in front of Lake Forest. Not sure, but you may be able to launch from LF this time of year without a launch pass.

When the nearshore temperatures get colder, the discharge at the power plant just north of Waukegan will draw the Browns there as well. Trolling small spoons and crankbaits on long lines and planer boards near the bottom in 15 to 30fow has worked well for me in the past.