The seeds have been planted in DuPage County

In the land of juicy brats, steamy sauerkraut, fanatic footballs fans and tall evergreen trees, muskie fishing is no longer the big deal it was 40 years ago.

One has to haul in a brute that approaches the 50-pound mark in order to get noticed.

But here in Illinois, if a 48-inch toothy critter manages to impale itself on one of your foot-long lures, you'll have your shot at 15 minutes of fame.

I remember the days when it was a very big deal to drive to Hayward or Eagle River and challenge the Muskie Gods.

I recall being on one particular lake near Hayward with my father when we zipped top-water baits to acres of lily pads and cabbage weeds. I also vividly remember seeing a huge muskie race out of its hiding spot and inhale my lure while simultaneously taking to the air in a display of Olympian aerobatics.

Don't get me wrong, dear readers. Wisconsin is still a very decent destination for all kinds of outdoor activities.

But like Outdoor Notebook's Bob Macuilis recently reported to me, "many of the old resorts and cabins just aren't in operation any longer, and it's quite a disappointment."

I told Macuilis that I used to believe in fairytales and expected good things to be around forever, but in today's reality I learned the hard way that nothing ever stays the same.

It could be five years, or maybe a tad longer, but if predictions hold true, area anglers could experience the thrill so many of us have been exposed to in past years on our trips to northern Wisconsin., Minnesota, and Lake of The Woods, Ontario.

Thanks to the dedication of guys like DuPage County Forest Preserve District biologist Don LaBrose and FPDDC Executive Director Brent Manning, Mallard Lake will hopefully become another gem adorned with voracious muskies.

Make no mistake about DuPage County's ability to manage its collection of excellent angling spots. The District has done a meritorious job.

Because DuPage doesn't have anywhere the number of visitors compared to the Cook County forest preserve system, its pathways and fishing spots haven't been decimated like some of the more popular Cook County locations.

It was just about a year ago that LaBrose and his team planted 180 young muskies measuring 11½ inches in Mallard Lake. It was hoped that because there's a tremendous amount of forage for the new residents, these great gamefish will grow to adulthood with pot bellies and inherited, aggressive attitudes.

And like on other area lakes that have received young muskies, this story wouldn't have happened if the FPDDC didn't get the boost and helping hand from the Illini Muskies Alliance.

The Alliance itself has been the main driving force in helping to bring the Illinois muskie fishery to the attention of this state's anglers, as well as making muskie hunters in nearby states sit up and pay attention.

We will often see Wisconsin anglers here looking for big fish on the Fox Chain because Wisconsin has seasonal limitations and Illinois doesn't.

Mallard Lake, an 85-acre haven for bass and big panfish, will soon join the list of our state lakes that will send electric shocks through fishermen's rods, letting them know they won't need to make a thousand casts to hit pay dirt.

Outdoor notes

It's like a never-ending saga on the Fox River and Chain O' Lakes regarding the flooding. Officials with the Waterway Agency have continued the no-wake policy on the Chain itself. The upper and lower Fox River are still closed for all boating activities as well.

•The September early Canada goose hunting season starts this Saturday, as well as the Illinois dove hunting season.

Fishing report

Fox Chain: Just because a no-wake ruling is in effect, that doesn't mean you're left high and dry for angling. Guide Darrell Baker has slowly maneuvered his boat in to some outstanding bluegill and walleye fishing right now.

"Not many anglers want to take the time to creep along at a snail's pace," he said, "and because of that I'm able to get to places that are literally undisturbed. We're knocking them silly."

Big bluegills and some of the bigger walleyes are hitting on Lake Marie and Pistakee Lake.

Lake Michigan: Perching is slow in Chicago, but a few fish are being taken just off shore near lake Forest. King action is slowly picking up again off of Waukegan and Winthrop Harbor.

Independence Grove-Lake Co.: There's improved panfish activity with some nice largemouth being caught and released.