How's fishing? Rather good, thanks

Observers note that lakes on the very south end of the state should be good for weekend angling.

One note of caution, though: Even though the massive rainfall has ceased to harass us, water levels on some area rivers remain high enough to create hazardous situations for those who like to wade or ply the water in small boats.

So, how's fishing? Actually, it's rather good.

Fox Chain: "We caught a lot of big crappies this week on Lake Marie," guide Darrell Baker said.

The walleye action is excellent, with big fish gobbling minnows and leeches.

Lake Catherine muskie activity is rapidly picking up right over the heavy weed growth. Pistakee bluegill action is excellent in shallow water.

Fox River: It's no-wake time again on the river between the Stratton Dam and Algonquin. But, shore anglers right near downtown Elgin seem to have located schools of smallmouth right up against shoreline structure.

Bangs Lake: The heavy rains have apparently helped refresh this lake. Good largemouth bass catches have been reported on inside and outside weed edges.

Lake Michigan: This could be the right time for you to hit the shorelines in Waukegan Harbor for perch and brown trout. Salmon fishing is getting hotter for the shore crew just before daybreak at Waukegan.

In Chicago, kings are deep but some scattered fish are making their way closer to the regular shoreline hot spots.

Lake Geneva: Panfish and smallmouth activity have greatly improved, especially outside the Abbey Harbor. There's been good smallie catches near the shorelines of Williams Bay as well.

• Mike Jackson's radio program can be heard at 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.