Outdoor notes: local fishing and Waukegan Harbor

I haven't had any contact with scientists yet, but casual know-it-alls have discussed the hot bed of the Waukegan controversy with me on the telephone.

I'm referring to the possible cessation of dredging of Waukegan Harbor for remnants of PCB.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller signed a formal request this week asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to lift restrictions in Waukegan Harbor following cleanup of historic industrial contamination of the harbor located on Lake Michigan. According to a report by The Associated Press, Miller said cleanups in 1993 and last year reduced the contamination to targeted levels.

Fishing update:

Depending where you drop a line and who is doing the telling, you could have a good day on the big lake fishing for perch. My personal choice would be to head to the south side and fish the areas around 77th Street and 95th Street.

But if you're shore-bound, consider the Fullerton rocks, the Belmont rocks near the harbor entrance, and the Horseshoe.

• The Fox Chain can be excellent this weekend and even now if you don't mind a "no-wake" scenario. Go slowly and prospect the current areas on Petite and Nippersink lakes for walleye activity. Try small crankbaits if you plan to do a "trolling crawl" on Pistakee Lake

• Even with the windy conditions on Geneva Lake, largemouth bass action is very good.

• Area ponds have been providing excellent panfish action, especially in DuPage County.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM and live-streamed at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.