Henneipen, you spell it.

[walt65]

Fished the canal today got 25 Bluegill, and 7 real nice crappie. I didn't get abite for the first hour. I got there at noon. Around 1:30 they started bitting. Walt

[Fishaholic]

very nice!!! how was the ice?????

[walt65]

I figure there was about 5 to 6 inches of ice. More than I wanted to drill through.lol

[Illinoisgiller]

Good going Walt! I've got a pretty good idea where you were, and that is the only spot I would consider on the canal. It is first to freeze and last to thaw. I only went there one time last year and there was 14" of ice. It helps a lot that there isn't any ammount of current.
As for the rest of the canal, I think it will need time to heal after the damage from the warm spell. :confused0024:
Were the crappie hitting on wax worms? Sounds like it is time for me to upsize a bit out there. Mike

[Illinoisgiller]

Illinois Hennepin Canal. This is the correct spelling.lol I asked Mister Google and seems he knows all." Hennepin"

[walt65]

Yes I caught them on wax worms on a small no tail jig, and a small little flat thing white with two red dots. I bought these things 15 years ago and I can't remeber the names of them.

[cambridgefisherman]

I will be out there tomorrow, I dont want to drive in the snowy mess today.

[Fishaholic]

been lookin at mapquest aireal photos, trying to look for good places to try fishing,
1)genaseo prairie park of 82 small access road just pass bridge on 82???
2) possible a good spot around dayton bridge on hway 15
3) another spot west of genaseo just east of E1200th st





any help or locations would suggest!
is there another part of canal that runs paralell together through genaseo area????

[Illinoisgiller]

There is only one canal. On an arial view you would be looking at nearby Green River. I have never heard of those other spots. Might be private.:confused0024: Mike

[Fishaholic]

mapquest areail photos look pretty bad but it looks dried up... U ever fished more my way on canal during non ice time??? looks like a few good spots to hit in hoopole annawan area along I80, ive never fished the canal but hope to try it, like to get on some ice, but deff try some in spiring.. just triing to find a few good spots to hit that others are willing to share!!!

[Illinoisgiller]

With the gas Gods in a terror mode I will also be on the canal hunt a lot. I have gotten on pockets of nice gills, but no pool that consistantly produces nice ones:confused0024:. I hope to get on ice up by the canal visitors center before the season is gone. Nice looking water up that way. Float tube would work well there in the spring.

[Fishaholic]

thast another thing I was ganna ask about once got to warmer weather is about areas for a float tube???? ive never tried that but after reading some of your posts about it, have been lookin at some tubes on the internet and thinking about gettin one!!

[Illinoisgiller]

Cambridgefisherman- Are you going out to the canal today? I hope to if all works out. I'll be looking for that green bucket. (and some fish) lol Mike

[Illinoisgiller]

I decided I just had to have another go at the local canal.
When I got to the parking area, it was almost full of vehicles. Right off, I knew the bite must be HOT!!!! . When I started to unload I spotted the green bucket of cambridgefisherman just comming in. He said he didn't do well. Now that supprised me for sure.
I just couldn't leave without trying. I stayed 3 hrs., drilled lots of holes in lots of areas. I caught 2 dinks an hour apart. Been a long time since I've seen a bite that bad. In some cases, I could get them up a little on the Vexilar ,but they absolutely wouldn't take anything I had to offer.
Hope you had a better day. lol

[walt65]

I have a question for you Mike. I see you like the float tube. What kind to you have ? I'm not to fond of snakes, are they much of a bother? I see alot of them in the canal when Ibike it or just walk along the banks.

[Illinoisgiller]

Walt, We were just discussing the tubes in an equipment thread I'll answer you on it so you can find it in the maze.lol

[Fishaholic]

that really sucks about the fishing there mike, I am ganna work my way up in that area tommorow!

You happen to talk to anyone else how they were doing????

[Illinoisgiller]

I didn't talk to anyone that done any good. At one time there was a group of 4 or 5 folks walking within talking distance. I asked if they got on any and they acted like I didn't even speak. They weren't happy.
Wish I'd had a bucket of fish to pour down a hole in front of them. lol If you hit any other spots on the canal, be real carefull. I looked it over from there to Colona and overall it doesn't look good at all. Mike

[Fishaholic]

this cold would sure do real good on that ice but we have this lovely snow on top witch is not helping......

[cambridgefisherman]

Yeah I did not do too good, four Bluegill and a dink bass no longer than five inches long and that may be exaggerating. My friend called me and told be his dad caught a real nice bass later on in the day. Mike I completely agree about the canal in Colona, I went to Carbon Cliff to pick up some supplies for ice fishing, and took one look at the canal in town and quickly deemed it very unsafe at the moment.

[Fishaholic]

what times were you two out there??? does look like it as a busy place though!!!!
mix of shantys and ice sitters. still im sure nice to get out there though...

im probably ganna try to be up there early in am see what happens, I just need to get out been on vacation all week so ive been in the house with a 1 1/2 yr old and 3 1/2 yr old FOR 3 DAYS STRAIGHT!!!...lol... there great just dad needs a break...lol

[cambridgefisherman]

I was out there between 8-12 on saturday. I went out again today at around 10 and did much better today, catching between 40-50 gills. nothing special though.

[Fishaholic]

I was out there today too!!!! didnt do to good myself, was my first time there though...

[Illinoisgiller]

Good going Kenny!! Big change from yesterday. Barometric pressure was lower today.
Fishing that shallow might take a little getting used to Jason.

[cambridgefisherman]

Probly will not go out again until Thursday and Friday. Then relax on Saturday and head up to Wisconsin for three days, I cant wait!

[cambridgefisherman]

Well, didnt go up to wisconsin, my car broke. Back down at school with no ice fishing :( Oh well, I might try and get back up to the area next weekend and fish Snakeden Hollow.

[cambridgefisherman]

oh was there a tournament this weekend? If not when did they reschedule it for?

[Illinoisgiller]

Yes there was a contest at the Isaaks Walton League. I'll let Schoe put the report up soon as he has the chance. Good time there!!:icon_cool::icon_cool: Was a bit chilly:confused0068:. Mike

[Schoe]

Yes, Mike is right about a good time. This Chapter of the Isaac Walton located on the Hennipin Canal outside Geneseo Illinois is really a nice facility and is managed by a group of very friendly and informative outdoors men.

I can't believe I lived as close as I do without ever being out there. I have driven by there several times not paying any attention to anything except the road, my mistake. I will be spending a lot of time out there as I have applied for a membership.

Sat. morning started out at my house with Kenny,(Cattracker16),Joe (Gofish) and myself getting together the last minute things needed for the day.

Just as we got into the City Limits of Geneseo I spied Mike, Illinoisgiller, turning out of town toward the Canal , so I followed him as he knew where he was going. We pulled alongside Mike an saw Jason "Fishaholic" and his friend were already there along with Jeff, "Gots_ta_ Fish" whom all got together for the fine breakfast they were serving.

I was in awe after entering the park. They have a large club house with some other out buildings and an ample Campground that is very reasonable. Tent Camping is $6.00 a night and camping with electricity is $12.00 per night which is a very competitive rate.

We pulled alongside Mike an saw Jason "Fishaholic" and his friend were already there along with Jeff, "Gots_ta_ Fish" whom all got together for the breakfast they were serving.

I was really surprised at the amount of vehicles that were already in the parking lot at 7:10 A.M as the tournament didn't start until 8:30 A.M. I soon found out why as the "Ike's" put out a breakfast spread fit for Royalty.

After breakfast most folks headed for the Ice with great expectations of catching their limits of Bluegill and Crappie.

The Temp. was hovering close to below zero which really separated the men from the boys.
Last year they had around 170 entry's and the temp was in the 30s, but this year there were only 70 some entrants. The low temps was surely the cause for the less than expected entrys.

I spent my time talking to those that organized this event and shooting a lot of film footage of some of the folks out on the ice. Being a greenhorn at this it's a wait and see thing with the end results which I will share as soon as I can get someone to edit and work up a good clip that we will share with our members.

The weigh in went rather smoothly in one of their out buildings, then everyone ascended to the Clubhouse for lunch and awards. Below there is a photo of the winners circle which I hope to get the names shortly, and a few others that I have to share although what happens while ice fishing stays out on the ice, sometimes.

1. The winners Circle

2. and 3. Kenny building his new Ice Shack in my living room for the first time.

4. Joe and Kenny at Hy Vee Seafood counter to purchase some fish since they didn't catch enough to eat.

All was in good fun and we are looking forward to next years tournament, Schoe

[Fishaholic]

had a good time out there, was bitter cold though, very nice place!!!!!!

[Illinoisgiller]

I forgot to add that the barometric pressure was real high for the tournament in the area that we fished. The tourney winners were a thousand feet further east where the pressure must have been better.:icon_cool:
Thats my story and I am sticking to it . :confused0024:lol Mike

[cattracker16]

yep i gots one of them there portable outhouses that ya drill holes in the ice and try and catch "bait" through. but i dunno how to work it.

[capt.kirk]

Schoe,How many holes did Kenny drill in your floor before he hit water:confused0068: Kirk

[cattracker16]

I didn't drill any holes in Schoe's floor. but the Frabil "outhouse" purformed flawless with the exception of some goof puttin wet snow and ice on the curtain it kinda froze to the ice, joe and i hadda chip the ice off the curtain. can you say rut ro learned sumptin there.

[capt.kirk]

Glad to hear you all had a good time,and no extra holes:icon_razz: Kirk

[cambridgefisherman]

How big was the biggest Crappie? And does anyone know the status on Snakeden Hollow.

[Illinoisgiller]

I decided to run out to the canal again today. I started out near a crossroad and started drilling. I finally found 4 1/2 ft. water but marked no fish and couldn't seem to draw any in.
I packed without having set up the shelter and drove up to the Isaak Walton again. Went further up towards the point this time. Drilled a bunch of holes and caught one med. gill. The 18 degree temps finally got to the ole bones and decided to drill a couple new holes and set up the shack to make a stand. Set up and started up the heater. The pilot would come on ,burn just a bit, and go out. Fingers were real cold by then so tore down and packed out.
When I got home, I pulled the tank and it wouldn't close. Had a stream of gas comming out after I took it off the heater. This must have been one that the wife got on sale. lol
Not every little trip turns out with a bucket of fish. lol Mike

[Fishaholic]

yeah I sat in the house all day...a lot warmer in here!!lol..better luck next time mike..

[cattracker16]

well atleast you tried, better luck next time. some of us hadda work in the chilly weather without a heater. you going out this weekend mike?

[Illinoisgiller]

I think I my son and two grandsons are going somewhere. Supposed to be a little warmer . Mike

[Fishaholic]

I am headin to morrison, Lk Carlton on sunday, wife has to work saturday mornin so ill have my boys...

[pondorotravis]

hey we all get skunked I did on sunday going to try again this weekend though....bring on the fish