Did it Slabby? Wasn't sure. Didnt see the insane crowds this time. Thought it was supposed to happen later July, but I could be wrong, and If I am , I'm glad I missed it.
As many Illinois residents have come to realize, winter is past. Yeah we might, if Mother Nature is willing, get another blast of arctic air. We might even get a glimpse of a light snow. As it seems on this beautiful sunny and seventy-five degree day, winter is definitely over. All of that said, my thoughts have seemed to wander towards depression.
Now one might think at first glimpse of that word I am referring to a mental state meaning I am generally unhappy. That is not the case. I am referring to thoughts of where to find pre-spawn fish here in central Illinois.
As in any season of fishing, a depression is of key interest to the savviest of anglers. But in spring time here at home, it is often the key to success in finding not only large schools of fish but large fish in the schools.
Finding the right depression is of most importance. The right depression will have a few of the necessities for those bigger fish. Structure is probably tied for the most important necessity along side food source and type. Here at home, structure might consist of some man made cribs, tree and rock piles, and natural growing vegetation. The latter part of that being dependant upon the type of lake it is.
Food source living in and around a depression is definitely not to be overlooked. You need to be able to determine what food sources are available for the species you are fishing for. For example, pan fish love bugs. Bait fish such as minnow, shiners, and roaches also eat bugs but also dine on the different types of plankton in the water. Pan fish are also known to dine on other smaller fish too so do not exclude them as a meal.
Since it is nearing the spawning time for most fish here in Illinois, finding a depression is not really that hard. Most fish, especially the pan fish, will be moving into the shallows to not only create their beds, but to choose mates. A lot of those fish will find a natural depression in the lake bottom for you. All you have to do then is find the fish. Sight fishing is a very easy way to do this. This is done by simply looking in the shallow water for schools of fish. Polarized sunglasses make this quite easy. If you are in a boat, simply stand up (carefully) and look down into the water. Obviously, water clarity will dictate when and where you are going to be able to sight fish.
Some of our larger lakes have already been mapped out. A good lake map will have many deeper depressions marked out. These maps should also have a legend telling what the bottom composition is, where the weeds beds are, and, if you are lucky, where the fish cribs and attractors are located.
This spring season is a wonderful time…….especially for depression(s). New life is starting everywhere around us, above ground and below the water. Make sure you get outdoors, embrace your depression, and go catch some fish.
