Explore the great outdoors at Silver Springs State Park
A great celebration of the outdoors takes place this weekend in Yorkville as Northern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days takes over the grounds at Silver Springs State Park. Check it out on the web at huntingandfishingdays.org.
Yorkville is southwest of Aurora, and the exhibits are free. Many exhibitors design their displays toward kids, so this is an excellent opportunity to take the family and give them a healthy dose of outdoors enjoyment.
To reach the park, take Route 47 south through Yorkville and then follow the signs to the state park.
Wild behavior: From Frankfort, Ky., comes a story about a Breman man who assaulted a Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Conservation officer.
A jury found 40-year-old Kevin Latham guilty of assault and wanton endangerment, both felonies, after he drove away and dragged Conservation Officer Scott McIntosh about 15 feet while the officer was trying to arrest him. The jury recommended a 20-year sentence.
Fishing report: Even though the Tuesday evening storm that cut a relatively narrow swath through the northwest suburbs was quick and nasty, fishing conditions may suffer as the result - or maybe not.
Fox Chain: Surface baits and buzz baits worked near and on the surface on Lake Catherine could produce big muskies. There has been a small explosion of largemouth bass on Channel Lake, especially on the south end. With the recent rainfall, look for increased current on the Spring Lake Channel with crappie and white bass action. Bluegill activity could be excellent this weekend on Fox and Pistakee lakes.
Fox River: We could see an improved smallie bite around bridge pilings and blown down stumps and branches.
Lake Delavan: Excellent bluegill angling in the weeds. Try 10 feet. Bass action a tad slow.
Lake Michigan: The better king salmon action seems to be just outside Waukegan Harbor again, especially with those anglers using small crankbaits. A few fresh kings are showing up outside Diversey Harbor in Chicago.
• Mike Jackson can be reached via e-mail at angler88@att.net, and you can catch his radio program 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.