Thanks for all the tips. I may have to try the 7up or buttermilk trick. We’ve got some smaller ponds/lakes around here that are overpopulated with small (perfect eatin’sized) channels but they taste pretty muddy. I also hope I didn’t sound like NO ONE was friendly to me up north. I’ve have met some of the friendliest people I’ve ever known in both Minnesota and Wisconsin (some from Iowa too). I was just saying that some people are closed minded and like to stereotype a person just because of the state they live in. Everyone who posts on IDA seems to be genuine. I’m here everyday reading, learning, and most of the time laughing my off! Thanks again to everyone!

I apologize for the long post.
Thank you all for the feedback. Just to rest any fears, I’d never want to eat any monster that’s been suckin’ mud for that many years. Love to snap some pictures though! Here is my thoughts on some of the feedback:

Comanchero15 – I hear ya on the toxins. The Fox River in Illinois was darn near glow-in-the-dark green in the ’70s. Since then they have cleaned it up and at one point it was the 2nd cleanest river in Illinois. Excellent Smallie population. Walleye are comin’ on strong. Channels are getting bigger and there are always a couple of 20# plus Flats caught each year.

Mr Twister – Shore Lunch with any kind of fish cut into strips about the size of a finger is the only way the rest of the family (all 6 kids) will eat fish. No other breading or batter will do!

Whiskerkev – I agree bleeding them helps and it is definitely a must that all fat be trimmed off!

Bret – CPR is what Dad and I mostly practice nowadays. Mostly. Nothin’ beats a fresh shore lunch though. I really don’t know if I would even keep a trophy any more. Probably just get a replica made so one of my boys could catch her again someday!

Brian – Thanks for all the feedback and all the ‘entertaining’ posts you add to this forum. I also have to tip my hat to you for the comment about the fish being mine too. I don’t know if there have been that many jerks that have given us a bad name, but there are still a lot of true sportsman from Illinois that know how to enjoy the outdoors and leave it looking better than when we got there. It’s sometimes frustrating for us ‘Flatlanders’ to come up your way and not even be able to get a friendly wave once the IL is spotted on the side of the boat. To me, real sportsman don’t see color or location. Only someone else with the same interests and mindset.

Dad and I are up on pool 4 the week of June 18th – 25th. Anyone see a brown 17′ Sea Nymph with an Illinois sticker give us a wave! We’re really not all bad from down here!

When it comes to lightening….beer is always better!

Amen to that brother! I’d much rather be holding a 6″ round aluminum 12 oz. lightning rod than a 6 or 7 foot one!

Outstanding all the way around. Especially the no gloves and the “good kitty” kiss. I think you made a Catman for life!

Hognose or a Bullsnake maybe?

Which ones are you seeing at Stoddard, Cade? The grass carp or the common (regular) carp?

Your subject is definitely correct. That is a MONSTER ‘GILL!! Hats off to the little guy.

My folks live just outside of Spring Valley so that’s the area I generally fish on the Illinois. I assume you’re talking Walleye tourney? That would be early in the year @ Spring Valley. I didn’t realize those carp were active that early. I usually have to deal with them in the heat of summer, but either way they can be a nuisance. They sure put up a heck of a fight though. I hooked about a 20 lber. in the tail once. Man, I thought I had an 80 lb. flathead on the line!

We’ve got those crazy [censored] things in the Illinois River as well. Watch your head ‘cuz they tend to jump right in the boat cruising at lower speeds!

I agree with SunnyD. I needed that laugh today!

I’m not that familiar with the Red Wing area, but I know the Wabasha area fairly well. You can find some decent panfish almost anywhere in the Nelson Bottoms. The backwaters/sloughs along Hwy 25 is good. I would not suggest taking a kayak through Indian Slough to access any of these areas though. It can get a little leary in our deep V 18 footer. That water really flies through the first closing dam. If you are looking to make a day of it, there are some crazy sloughs (Gov’t Light, Parent, etc.)along the east bank just upriver from Wabasha. Dad and I have spent some time exploring back in some of these. Very peaceful and lots of wildlife. Depending on time of year you may even run into some huge white bass in the deeper holes.

As far as slowing down, I think most fishermen/fisherwomen respect everyone on the river. It’s the nuts (not all, but some) on the Jet-Ski’s, Waverunners, and other PWCs that sometimes show no respect. Sometimes I’d like to show them just how far I really can cast a 1oz. Dardevle ! Good luck!

I was pretty much leaning towards “gimmick” but figured hey, I doubted Rain-X too and that stuff really works. As far as trophys go, I know they are in Pool 4 and Lake Pepin. Dad and I have been up every year for the last 6 years. Haven’t landed anything I would keep out of the water and put on the wall yet, but who knows….maybe someday. I did get about a 7lb. smallie up to the boat 2yrs. ago. And I’ve CPR’d quite a few big eyes. Now if I could just locate the pike….