This spring has by far been the best spring fishing on Shabbona Lake for me in years!!! It all started with the warm weather in early March and the bass did not disappoint. Fishing in different depths of water and on top of structure that would hold heat was the ticket. Many bass caught out on rockpiles and tree stumps in 5ft to 10ft of water my favorite two methods were the Yum Craw Papi and the good ole nightcrawler. Next the Striper bass is just an awesome fish with great power and fight even if they are small they have been mostly caught off the dam face and on the flats these fish will peel line off your reel so hang on and enjoy the fight!!! I don’t crappie fish but let me tell ya with no one really fishing through the ice this year they have been unbelievable. Just on crappie open weekend there were well over 300 crappie caught and weighed!!!!!!!!!! Now the walleye fishing is out of this world this year especially with legal walleye being caught. I caught alot of walleye last year but almost all were under 18 inches if not all of them. There are several ways that these fish have been caught weather fishing bottom slowly, jigging vertical, under a slip bobber and also casting and trolling crankbaits. These fish have been caught all over the lake in 5ft to 16ft of water on rockpiles flats drop offs weeds and of course standing trees. Live bait of choice seems to change from day to day to week to week, one day nightcrawlers the next leeches and finally caught with minnows suckers and roaches. The catfish are just starting to take notice and will be a delight to catch and fight from now until at least September. Last but not least the infamous Musky, this fish is sought after by many anglers who put in tiresome hours and casts just to catch a glimpse right at the boat which gets the blood and adrenaline flowing. These fish already this year have hit nightcrawlers and leeches and many artificial baits. I have finally caught my first Musky at Shabbona Lake and it was only a 24inch fish but let me tell ya i was pumped and ready to get another one which i had the chance for but it through the lure. If you haven’t fished this lake yet this year you better make plans to get out here cause this lake is by far the best fishing lake in Illinois!!! Here are just a few pics of what was caught this year so far!!! Thanks for reading, Jim