April 30th, Kaskaskia River

Today I finally made it down to the Kaskaskia River below the dam in Carlyle, Illinois (19 miles south of Interstate 70). Did not realize how high the lake was (all campgrounds are closed including all of Elden Hazlet State Park) until I got down there. Started out throwing 1/16th oz/ 1/8th oz jig combos with green/white crappie tubes. Caught 3 crappies and 2 whites, but lost too many jigs. Then went to Lavish Bait and Tackle (in Carlyle) and bought 2 dozen minnows. Probably one of the best places for bait in the area. Went back to the river and realized just how windy it was out. Had a hard time getting my bait where I wanted it. Still caught 4 more white bass and 1 about 2 pound largemouth bass.

Catch total:
3 crappies
6 whites
1 largemouth

Friday April 29th Governor Bond Lake

Today I went with a Jake up the road to Governor Bond Lake just north of Greenville, Illinois. It was the first nice day in Greenville in about a week, so we took the opportunity to fish. The temperature was in the upper 60s with sunny conditions and a little wind. Went from 1100 to 1330 hrs. Caught nothing off of the dam, so went over to the main dock and caught 3 decent sized gills and a little crappie. Then went over to the east dock and caught evil bullhead (yellowbelly) on the first cast. I then followed that up with a whiper (striper/white bass hybrid), sheaphead (freshwater drum), pumpkinseed, green sunfish, another crappie (small) and 6 more gills (between 3 and 9 inches with most in the 7 to 8 inch range). All in all it was a good day.

Total Caught
9 bluegills
2 crappies
1 brown bullhead
1 whiper (striper/white bass hybrid)
1 pumpkinseed
1 green sunfish
1 sheaphead

Matt

Saturday April 9, 2011

Went out to Governor Bond Lake again today at about 1830 to 2000 hrs CST. Temp was in the mid 70s. Went with a couple of buddies and caught several gills again off the dam, a couple crappies, and one hybrid striper/white. Looks like the hybrids are coming into the shallows already, since we could see them feeding on schools of shad.

Went out for a short drive and caught an auto rack track waiting in the siding at Smithboro, so drove down highway 40 towards Mulberry Grove. Right before I got to Mulberry Grove a westbound CSX manifest shot by. Turned around to chase him, but couldn't catch him by seconds at the King Rd crossing east of Smithboro. Then waited at King Rd and was rewarded with a westbound local going long hood forward. It was lead by CSX 2744 (GP38-2)

We (me and a friend of mine named Paul) then waited a little bit longer and where rewarded with the eastbound autorack lead by CSX 5260 (ES40DC)

April 3rd - Governor Bond Lake

1800 to 1920 CST
Air Temp 70
Water Temp Cold
Fished the dam with worms for gills again today. Went with a roommate and one other person. Fished about a foot down and a couple feet off shore. Caught several gills up to about 9 inches. Most were in the 5 to 8" range. The one problem was the windy conditions which played havoc on our lines.

That is all

April 2nd, 2011- Governor Bond Lake

Went out to Governor Bond Lake today with a couple friends. It was sunny and in the low 60s, but the water is still freezing cold. Caught some gills along the dam, one pretty nice sized ones and a lot of mid sized ones.

That is all