CALPARK

[abishop]

I was curious if anyone on here still fishes up in the Cal Park area? Years ago, we always caught the larger perch in this part. Might be because of all the weeds. Used to throw soft shell crabs and all jumbos caught (no sorting). Someone once said a few years back that there were no longer any weed beds in this area. How could this be? I haven't gotten up that way in about 6 years or so. Anyone have anything to report from this neck of the lake? Inquiring minds need to know. I did like the fact that launching at the Hammond Marina was free. The only free spot to launch on the lake that I know of. LOL.....

[taxid]

My memories of the Hammond marina are not so good. No fishing allowed in the marina itself (at least back then), but oh there were some huge browns under the docks! As soon as you would walk over there with fishing rod in hand even to take a look two security guards would start yelling at you. I guess I they don't want fishing line in the props?

[abishop]

My memories of the Hammond marina are not so good. No fishing allowed in the marina itself (at least back then), but oh there were some huge browns under the docks! As soon as you walk over there with fishing rod in hand two security guards would start yelling at you. I guess I they don't want fishing line in the props?

Quite sure that you can't fish the marinas. I have seen guys bobber fishing from their big boats docked at the pier. I think I saw somewhere that you could ice fish though. When I worked at the casino I remember seeing huge bluegill and plenty of them. BIG FISH THRU ICE, browns and steelies, I think Midwest outdoors made a video that was aired on tv fishing one of the harbors in Chicago. Very impressive.

[northrn-duck-assassin]

The weed beds are still there. By the chopper pad and up in the pig-pen.

Something has happened to the perch over the last few years, many of us know this. Something changed in the lake.. cormorants? Lack of food?

Even G.L. hasnt been what it ised to be in the same time frame Calpark hasnt. This last winter finally G.L. had a small run of what it used to be. Are the perch on the rebound?! Hopefully.

The baitfish are deffinetly on a rebound, kings have been large the last couple years finally. And perch are stacked outside of the port like they used to be a few years ago.

Lets see what comes about. Hoping next weekend i can make it to C.P. or N.P. and see what comes about.

Cant get pinchers anymore. Softies are hard to come by, and when the bait shops get the softies they try their best to sell out of them.

Good thing that raw shrimp is cheaper and used to work just as good as softies did back in the day.

[northrn-duck-assassin]

Used to rip limits of perch out of hammond marina back when the calpark bite was hot. Used to anchor the boat right in front of the gas dock and have a blast. Never got booted from there, but usually was done before the workers started shift at 8ish.

As soon as u try and walk on a dock to fish they would boot ya quick though.

[hookitNcookit]

Im only familiar with the November December bite, size aint what it used to be but you can get some limits of 9s and 10s with a couple jumbos mixed in. Might have to go up river to get em though. I catch em in june bass fishing but cant keep perch in illinois from lake michigan or its tributaries in month of June, I believe.

[taxid]

You know what's interesting about being booted from the Marina? They don't own the water. Perhaps if you're in a boat they can't do squat technically.

[northrn-duck-assassin]

Im only familiar with the November December bite, size aint what it used to be but you can get some limits of 9s and 10s with a couple jumbos mixed in. Might have to go up river to get em though. I catch em in june bass fishing but cant keep perch in illinois from lake michigan or its tributaries in month of June, I believe.

The perch season in illinois used to nuts down the month of july, it changed over the years. Idk exactly when it closes, (may sometime) but it opens back up in mid june, just as the bite starts to pick up.

[abishop]

Anyone venture to Cal Park this year yet?

[northrn-duck-assassin]

My buddy been there a couple times. Marked some fish. But never got anything to go but a few dinks. This was a couple weeks ago before the 3 day north blow

[tater140]

You know what's interesting about being booted from the Marina? They don't own the water. Perhaps if you're in a boat they can't do squat technically.

I believe the water is public, and not the docks in a marina.  I dont think they have the ability to keep boats from fishing inside of a marina. 

[abishop]

I believe the water is public, and not the docks in a marina.  I dont think they have the ability to keep boats from fishing inside of a marina.

I believe you are right.

[taxid]

I believe the water is public, and not the docks in a marina.  I dont think they have the ability to keep boats from fishing inside of a marina.