Low water fishing-Pike or Pan

[Aux Pleins]

During the summer my village throws a concert every wednesday and River Front Park at the Gaezebo near Grand Avenue and the Des Plaines River. Usually they get some decent cover bands and I'll head over with the fishing pole and 6pack, but you are more than welcome to bring coolers, grills, or even tents to party the night away on the river bank free of any charges. Just be prepared for mosquito apocalypse that has been held back this year due to lack of rain. I don't hang to watch the band long, but you can hear them perfect while shore fishing here. Anyway for anyone who knows about Grand Ave, its an ancient indian trail leading west on high ground from the mouth of the Chicago river, and also the north end of the Indian Boundary that gave the U.S. a 20miles wide tract from the Chicago river about all the way to St. Louis. That being said there is so much rock and gravel laid here from wagon fording in the pioneer days and also over a dozen wood and concrete bridge foundations left this stretch the only wadeable area for miles. If you got a fly rod,(STEVE) this is the spot for pan fish. (Under the bridge) Me no fly fish, so i threw some small spinners to get a few blue gills, maybe a sunfish, a couple bait sized creek chubs and a decent pike a little further up stream.

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[Juicebox20002]

Thats really low... I've noticed out here by Gurnee the water level really low as well, Easy Pike fishing, most of em just sitting in the middle of the river... Great pics. The color on the pan fish are really nice...

[Steve]

Good deal! That may be one of the few places I can cast that dam fly rod for all its worth, might get out there one morning or night!
Ive waded through there a few times as well, neat area for sure.
I hit my spot further downstream the other day and saw a MONSTER Black Crappie cruising around following my fly. No hits. Im seeing more and more varied species now that Ive slowed down and started playing with the fly rod but I cant get any of them to bite.
Ill say it again, River fish are a great deal smarter in my opinion. They spend day and night avoiding predators from far and near. From Raccoons and Heron to Pike and Bass. Ill figure them out at some point.
I can get the pike to hit but cant set the hook on them. Miss my trebels!!

[Thenightfisher93]

Where is this park located? i would like to bring my dad put here sometime, being able to fish and have a few beers ten fish sounds like a great event, wish my town did more stuff like that.

Tight lines everyone
Jared

[pinecone]

Nice post AP....the band was pretty good that night as well.

[Aux Pleins]

Where is this park located? i would like to bring my dad put here sometime, being able to fish and have a few beers ten fish sounds like a great event, wish my town did more stuff like that.

Tight lines everyone
Jared

On the East Bank of the River in River Grove, Illinois.. Closest intersection is Des Plaines River Road and Grand Avenue.