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Illinois Fishing Survey Results

IlFishing.com would like to thank all those who participated in our Illinois fishing survey. We received dozens of responses that highlighted the variety of ways that fishermen enjoy their sport. If there's a pond, pit, lake, or river to fish, a species to pursue, or a technique to use, Illinois fishermen are doing it.

Before we get to the results, let me warn Shari to immediately place your aquarium under lock and key before a certain unnamed colleague turns your pets into hors d'oeuvres. Apparently, the term “sport fishing” is being taken to a new, and much lower, level.

Let's get to the results.

The overall winner for a place to fish was Clinton Lake , followed closely by the Mississippi River . Banner Marsh lakes, the Illinois River, Newton Lake , and Lake Shelbyville tied for third place.

The top species to fish for at Clinton Lake was crappies with a three-way tie for second place going to hybrid stripers, walleyes, and catfish.

The Mississippi River fish most sought was catfish with bass and walleyes sharing second place.

Although a few Illinois fishermen voted to fish all year, many limit their trips to the warmer months of April through September. Of those who chose a specific month, April and May tied for the overwhelming favorites, with June a distant second.

Bass clearly outdistanced the field for the most popular fish. Crappies placed second with catfish a close third place. Votes were also cast for walleyes, hybrid stripers, northern pike, bluegills, and muskies. Many indicated they would fish for "anything with fins" or "anything that swims."

Our final question about what techniques are used to catch their favorite fish generated some unique responses. Illinois fishermen enjoy drifting, casting, trolling, and bank fishing with equal enthusiasm.

They use prepared baits as well as live minnows, nightcrawlers, and shad.

Artificial baits are only slightly more popular than live bait overall, with fishermen favoring live or prepared baits for crappies and catfish, but artificial baits for bass.

The favorite choice for artificial bait was a wide variety of plastic lures. Jigs were the second most popular choice with spinners/spinnerbaits in third place.

One fisherman has expanded his arsenal to include “small animals” which, in light of the 124-pound world record blue catfish caught from the Mississippi River recently, seems appropriate.

It also may explain why so many of the stray cats in my neighborhood have been disappearing recently.

Thanks for participating and have a great summer of fishing!