DPR in April--Northern Cook County

[Aux Pleins]

The April bite was a lot better than March, too bad the weather wasn't. The month started off with unusually low spring water levels. Met a nice fella fishing named Sam along the banks near Maywood.. He had caught a crappie before I got there, we continued to fish about another two hours chatting as I cut off my rapala and tied on weight and hook along with a night crawler. Fishing a good size tributary for that stretch we managed to pull out 3 carp, one cat, and one bullhead. This is where things get fuzzy, I headed home at dusk, went to check the quality of my photos and realized my Digital camera was M.I.A.. $hit too dark to head into the preserves and its locked up. Next morning went over there, nothing? Anybody know Sam? Older fella 60maybe, hopefully he grabbed it and is willing to return it. Im assuming I am S.O.L though.. This is all on top of dropping my phone in the drink a couple weeks prior... I lost some good shots, oh well the camera was a dinosaur,, heres some of the shots from my replacement cell phone of the past few weeks

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[Aux Pleins]

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All pike were caught using inline spinners size 4 and 5, white husky jerks, and x-raps.

[nbBasshunter]

Cool photos and catches. Hope you find your camera soon. BTW is the one in the first fish photo a grass pickerel or just a young pike?

[catch&release]

looks like a pickerel here.
http://basstardfishing.com/Identifying%20The%20Pike%20Esox%20Family/Pike_Family_Identification_Img2.jpg

[Aux Pleins]

I believe its just a juvenile pike....... Pretty cool pickerel info, didn't realize theres that many sub species of the Muskelunge.

[Juicebox20002]

That invasive species is definitely garlic mustard. I did some volunteer work at the botanic gardens last week and needless to say I was pulling those all day long. Those are some good looking pike though, what time of day were you fishing? I tend to have better luck around 10:00 to 12:00.

[Aux Pleins]

, what time of day were you fishing? I tend to have better luck around 10:00 to 12:00.

On the weekends fairly early in the morning usually get around 8am... During the week much later 6pm-ish.... I really don't have much of a prefrence, just when time permits. I really can't tell which is better when it comes to DPR pike Both can be red hot or hit and miss... BTW bulls look so bad right now

[trunkmonkey]

AuxPleins-aka-DPR,

Nice pics! great color.

[Busse Jim]

nice picts of dam # 2 grew up in that area, gotta get back and fish it for those pikes . and that "creek snake" looks to me like a MUSKY nice fish all totally cool dog!

[Jesus]

looks to me like a MUSKY

x2....

That last picture, i always picture a pike hiding back there but never visit when hes home apparently

[wallhead]

We been thru this before guys .It,s simply a young pike ,spots will develop when it gets bigger.Musky,s have dark markings,or spotting.

[RamblingBen]

Nice looking dog, is he yours? Great photo's and fish too. I love the array of coloring on those pike.

[Aux Pleins]

Ben, yup thats my german shorthair pointer, shes two years old. These dogs can be a handful, crazy energy. I was so used to my good ol laid back labardors that needed a nap have way through the field before I got this one. Leashless fishing is part of her training regiment..

[TheWoz]

Great pics! Awesome!

[RamblingBen]

Ben, yup thats my german shorthair pointer, shes two years old. These dogs can be a handful, crazy energy. I was so used to my good ol laid back labardors that needed a nap have way through the field before I got this one. Leashless fishing is part of her training regiment..

Very cool, I bet she loves it.

[Navyfisher]

We been thru this before guys .It,s simply a young pike ,spots will develop when it gets bigger.Musky,s have dark markings,or spotting.

x2

I got a thing for hounds, GSPs are great dogs. How is your dog with the water? My Weim avoids it, makes it easy to go fishign with her.

[pinecone]

Looks like fun AP....nice pics.

[Aux Pleins]

How is your dog with the water? My Weim avoids it, makes it easy to go fishign with her.

She goes in about belly deep to refresh herself and chase ducks and geese away from me, she seems to love it as much as the lab. Luv the weims, beautiful dogs.

[pinecone]

AP...your beautiful GSH is becoming a great all around partner...My "St. Bernoxer-shepherd" mix just turned 1yr old and has been chasing an amourous mallard couple off my pool cover the last few mornings as well.

[pinecone]

On a side note....I just had to post this photo someone sent me of a dog named "Dick" and his unique markings...

[Aux Pleins]

Lol!