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December 9, 2008 we will be taping two shows before a studio audience and you are invited. One show will be taped at 7PM and a second show at 8PM. Thanks to the Bass Pro Shop in Bolingbrook, we will have a FREE raffle between the two shows and after the second show. Stoney Point Grill is located just east of LaGrange Rd. (Rt 45) off 191st Street in Mokena. Enter the driveway between Denny's and White Castle. Come early and enjoy the shows.
Articles
Heidecke Lake by Don Dziedzina |
It’s happening at Heidecke LakeThere’s no doubt about it, when the fishing is good, you just have to go. Mowing the lawn has to wait. So does cleaning the garage. A bite like we’re having now at Heidecke Lake won’t last forever so put everything else on hold. Go now!
Heidecke Lake is located at Jugtown and Lorenzo Roads outside of Morris. I was just there this past week and was surprised to see that the signs for the lake are there, but the words are gone. If you’ve been there before, you know where it is. But if this would be your first time going to Heidecke Lake, keep your eyes open. Maybe new signs are coming.
The fishing there has been good lately. Of course we always have to consider the weather, but for the most part, now this the time to be out there.
The water temperature is about 75 degrees all over. Not being a cooling lake anymore there is little change in water temperatures from one side of the lake to the other. You may find warmer waters in very shallow areas, but the temps now are quite conducive to good fishing.
Many boaters have had concerns about launching because of low water levels and getting to the north side of the lake because of the low bridge. Well, the water level is low and a big sign at the ramps says that you should launch only at your own risk. I assure you, I had no problems launching my boat nor did some others that I saw with even larger boats.
As for the bridge, it’s been years since I’ve been able to get under it to fish north pool. My windshield and 115 hp motor had a good five inches of clearance now. I really missed fishing the north side of the lake and this past week, I learned why.
The fishing was really good. I fished with Rich Komar who co-hosts the All Outdoors TV Show with me and the north end of the lake is where we started.
At first we drifted Berkley Gulp Alive leeches on spinner rigs. Anticipating catching some walleye, we did just that. To throw in a little bonus, Komar also got a huge drum that was well over five pounds. Sure, they’re considered to be a rough fish, but they will hit live bait as well as artificial lures and they do fight hard.
The water was really rough though. High winds put two to three foot waves on the lake. I wanted to do some casting, so to ensure fewer backlashes with my baitcasting reel, I decided to thrown a half ounce RTrapp Bait Clatter Bait.
I maintained a good 25 yard distance off the rocky center dike and made long casts. I figured the wave action kept the fish off the rocks, but they could be staged near the first drop off. After several casts I had my first smallmouth bass in the boat. This was going to be great.
The bass were caught with a blue/silver Clatter Bait. I chose that color because it would mimic the shad population in the lake. But I also knew from past experience that white colored baits would probably coax a hybrid striper or two to take the lure. So after while, I switched my Clatter Bait color selection to a white one.
Yes, it did work. The white bait after three casts started to produce fish. My biggest hybrid for the day was 3 pounds 14 ounces. Komar had the big fish for the day. It was a drum that had to be well over five pounds. It too took a Clatter Bait. Not too shabby.
We had a very good morning catching a lot of fish. But when the wind died down, so did the action. It was almost like a light switch. As quickly as the wave action on the lake settled down the fish became inactive. We could see some catfish and smallies rooting around the rocks looking for crayfish, but nothing that we threw in the water would be taken.
As I was writing this article, I received a phone call from my radio show co-host Ray Ludkevicz. After hearing about how I did at Heidecke the day before, he had to give it a try.
I could tell from the excitement in his voice that he was having a good day too. So far he had four smallmouth bass. All but one was keeper sized.
So the fishing at Heidecke Lake is good and you need to get to get out there. Why? Because great fishing is not that far away.
