[Snoopy54]

Hello I am new here , I am not a very good fisherman but I try my best my favorate fish is catfish and carp I live in Niles Il and want to try fishing the north branch of the Chicago river for cat can some one tell me were the best spot is to catch cat also what is the best bait to use also is there parking close to the river, and my girlfriend is looking to try her luck with crappie what the best lure she should use? sorry for all the question , its just we are heading to the river Sunday and want to get ready.. is the river by Oakton and Waukeean have any fish in ther
Thanks for any info
Snoopy

 

[JasonN]

I live right in that area and unfortunately there aren't a lot of fishing opportunities on this stretch of the river. That being said, there are certainly some fish in there, but few and far between and mostly carp and suckers. The stretch of the north branch that runs from Niles all the way north is very shallow and not a lot of structure to hold game fish.

You are close to the Niles Wetlands (Howard just east of Waukegan). There is a spillway there and I see kids go down there sometimes. Not sure if they catch anything though. That would be the location i'd try first.

As for bait, nightcrawlers would be a good bet.

 

[danield157]

I vote a big thumbs down for fishing that stretch of the north branch, at least in Niles, but what do I know. I'd say you're better off fishing the des plaines river or the sanitation channel along McCormick in Skokie/Evanston. Don't eat anything out of either body though.

 

[Brandon]

there are plenty of catfish being caught between lawrence and oakton-all stretches Northshore branch. well, at least there were last year. If you don't mind fishing with 10 people or so beside you, you could check out the spillway at Foster. I've seen guys catch a few catfish there in just a couple trips over there this year. Not sure about the Niles area. Isn't that the "western branch"? I've looked around a little there but it does look way too shallow as Jason mentioned.

anyway the northshore has some cats and definitely a HUGE Carp population. like I said anywhere between Lawrence and Oakton. It doesn't really matter where either-find a clearing and set up some lines. a lot of 15# carp in there-some a little bigger. look for downed trees too-plenty of spots on that stretch that have rock bass, crappie, and all the panfish. Use 2 to 3" white grubs w/twisters.

 

[plumberpower1]

as for any strech of water for cats try chicken liver, carps try wheaties get a hand full and get it wet put it in a ball and then on ur hook crappies try small jis and twister tails good luck

 

[Snoopy54]

Can some one please give me drictions to the Foster ave spill way I am comming from Milwakee and Oakton and thank you all for all the great info
Snoopy54