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Illinois => Ice Fishing Illinois => Topic started by: boscolab on Dec 27, 2017, 07:36 AM

Title: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Dec 27, 2017, 07:36 AM
Just throwing out this thread in hopes to start some talks about lakes Evergreen and Bloomington. If the bays are good, I may head down Sunday or Monday.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: knol86 on Dec 27, 2017, 12:21 PM
following this thread.....hoping to get out Sunday afternoon or Monday.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Dec 27, 2017, 01:01 PM
I will be there Sunday morning with the wife. We will be in a 3 man Frabill flip over shack.  Probably near deer island or by the two submerged islands......
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: knol86 on Dec 27, 2017, 01:03 PM
That is likely where we will be as well.  two man flip frabil.......likely not until the afternoon though.  Let me know what the ice is like if you would.  I would sure think that it would be good with the temps this week! Good luck! 
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Dec 28, 2017, 07:34 AM

Kicking around the idea of going out to E on Saturday. 
The lake is down 3 or 4 feet, so that is going to change a lot of past years fishing patterns.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Dec 28, 2017, 08:00 AM
Kicking around the idea of going out to E on Saturday. 
The lake is down 3 or 4 feet, so that is going to change a lot of past years fishing patterns.
Indeed it will. Hopefully there are good weed beds left.

Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Dec 28, 2017, 08:35 AM

A lot of the weeds are gone. 
You can find some here and there.  Even the weeds that are left are in only 1 - 2 feet of water. 
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: knol86 on Dec 28, 2017, 11:58 AM
Jimmy,  can you give an ice report when you get done fishing Saturday?  It would be helpful!
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Dec 28, 2017, 01:53 PM

Plans have changed.  We are going to give it go tomorrow.
I will try to give a report tomorrow evening.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: DaWakoKid on Dec 28, 2017, 09:08 PM
Buddy tested the ice at his neighborhood pond today, and reported 6". I'm heading to White Oak tomorrow afternoon. Need to test out the new gear before really hitting it hard. If any of you all are headed out to White Oak as well, come say hey.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Dec 30, 2017, 01:00 AM
Got out on E today. Ice was a good 4".  Managed to catch 26 crappies and 1 bluegill in 5 hours of fishing.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Dec 30, 2017, 06:26 AM
What part of the lake did you fish? How deep was it where you found 4”?  Trying to decide if it is worth going out in this terrible weather.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Dec 31, 2017, 09:48 AM
I'd stay clear of the pump house area, but the whole is good to go.
Found the fish in 14-16' of water around sunken brush. I fished the west end of the lake.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: TonyBloom on Jan 03, 2018, 10:55 AM
Five fingers area Jimmy?
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Jan 04, 2018, 01:49 PM

Osprey Cove

Thad Hinshaw
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Jan 05, 2018, 06:08 AM

Myself and a couple of guys are heading out to give Lake Bloomington a go Sunday.
Anyone else going to be out there?  Good chance that we will have extra brats going on the grill.

Thad
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Jan 05, 2018, 06:32 AM
Is B pretty low too? Last time I was at B, it was very low.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: TonyBloom on Jan 05, 2018, 07:11 AM
Good luck at Bloomington.  I went on the 1st.  Caught around 15 in 14FOW, mix of crappie and Gill but mostly small.  It is very low.  I imagine if u find brush at 10 or better u could do well.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Jan 05, 2018, 07:49 AM

Thank you Tony Bloom.

I know of a spot that has some great deep water wood we have done well on the past couple of years.  Nothing really with too much size compared to the crappies we have been catching at E through the ice.  However, this low water has my favorite Evergreen ice spot in less than 5' of water.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Talltale on Jan 05, 2018, 09:51 AM
Heading over to evergreen today anybody got any tips ? Never fished there through the ice.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Jan 05, 2018, 10:11 AM
Grab a map at the office. Focus on artificial structure. If you have a GPS, bring it. One of the maps in the office has coordinates to the newer stuff.

Lake is down at last 3-4 ft. Remember that when looking at the maps.

Lastly, the office staff is always nice and helpful. Don't be afraid to ask what they have been hearing.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Jan 05, 2018, 10:17 AM
Osprey Cove

Thad Hinshaw

I din't remember you as Jimmy B, Thad. Glad to know you are still contributing to the B and E lake reports.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Talltale on Jan 05, 2018, 10:30 AM
Grab a map at the office. Focus on artificial structure. If you have a GPS, bring it. One of the maps in the office has coordinates to the newer stuff.

Lake is down at last 3-4 ft. Remember that when looking at the maps.

Lastly, the office staff is always nice and helpful. Don't be afraid to ask what they have been hearing.
Thanks boscolab
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Jan 05, 2018, 10:48 AM
Here is a little help to aid in getting you on a game plan before you get there.
(https://s10.postimg.cc/l09u135w5/20180105_104325.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/l09u135w5/)
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Prairie State Hoosier on Jan 05, 2018, 06:31 PM
Myself and a couple of guys are heading out to give Lake Bloomington a go Sunday.
Anyone else going to be out there?  Good chance that we will have extra brats going on the grill.

Thad

I'm interested in meeting up with you (my wife isn't crazy about me being out by myself on the ice.) When and where can I look you up on Sunday?
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: TonyBloom on Jan 05, 2018, 07:11 PM
I caught good fish tday at evergreen.  Brush 16 to 24 FOW.  U find the brush deep and u will catch crappie.  Also ice was thick 9 to 12 inches.  Thicker where there was no snow.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Talltale on Jan 05, 2018, 07:34 PM
I caught good fish tday at evergreen.  Brush 16 to 24 FOW.  U find the brush deep and u will catch crappie.  Also ice was thick 9 to 12 inches.  Thicker where there was no snow.
Tony I you don't mind telling secrets which Cove were you fishing off of ,we were out there today off of osprey and white pines and only found 1 gill.was very slow for us
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: TonyBloom on Jan 06, 2018, 12:21 AM
Yeah I didn't fish in or around any coves.  I fished brush close to the channel. 
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Jan 08, 2018, 06:29 AM

Hoosier, I'm sorry - I just saw your post here this morning.

You didn't miss out on much.  We were all over fish all day, but just couldn't get them to bite.  Changed color, changed baits, changed locations and it was always the same story.  They would come up and look at the bait, even chase the bait up if I lifted it, but they would not bite.
   
Ended up catching 1 crappie, 1 yellow bass, and 1 huge shad (hooked in the mouth on a jigging spoon), and missed a couple other fish.

How did everyone else do over the weekend?

Thad 
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Talltale on Jan 08, 2018, 03:42 PM
Same way on evergreen Saturday found fish with finder but would not bite .
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Jan 09, 2018, 06:11 AM

Seeker,
You might be right, but I have helped the DNR pull the spring survey nets for the past 10+ years and there has always been plenty of big female saugeye in them every year.
Fishing E at night has always been something to do in the back of my mind.  I have stayed an hour or so after dark, but never pulled an all nighter to see how the fishing would change.

We do it up in northern WI quite a bit with success on the walleye.  So maybe it is something to try down here too.

Thad
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Talltale on Jan 11, 2018, 01:53 PM
Has anyone driven by evergreen to see how the ice is holding up?
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: DaWakoKid on Jan 12, 2018, 03:28 PM
I haven't been out there lately, but around Blo/No, every pond I drove by the last couple days had at least a food of water around the main ice. I'm sure that the cold weather will seize it back up soon though.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Jan 13, 2018, 06:55 PM
I am planning to head down to E in the morning, pending a report from another guy on a FB page that went today. I will pass along what i hear.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Jan 13, 2018, 07:52 PM
Report was 6” most places. But less in a few areas. They fished around deer island. They marked fish but couldnt buy a bite.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Talltale on Jan 13, 2018, 09:02 PM
Good to hear, a few more cold nights should thicken it nicely. Thanks for the report .
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Triggerbof on Jan 13, 2018, 09:28 PM
Report was 6” most places. But less in a few areas. They fished around deer island. They marked fish but couldnt buy a bite.
Suppose that means I'll give it a shot tomorrow.  Thanks for the update
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Jan 15, 2018, 08:04 AM
Was out yesterday afternoon for a few hours. Fished a mid lake drop off. Plenty of fish marked. Only three small pannies to show for the effort. Ice was so tough to walk on without cleats. Better bring em next time.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Jimmy Bomanti on Jan 19, 2018, 09:31 AM

Hitting E tomorrow morning with a buddy.  Going to set up in the dark and fish till maybe 10 or 11.
It might be the last chance to get on the ice this year looking at the extended forecast.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Finaddict59 on Feb 06, 2018, 05:17 PM
Not related but i just caught a blurb on the news a man in danville went through and died! Lots of wet snow in central and eastern ill ,Safty first if you gotta go bring the gear and someone else Be safe!
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: crayphish on Feb 06, 2018, 11:03 PM
i really dislike fishing on this kind of ice, i travel north to get on 6-7" good ice to avoid the snow covered spooks.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: boscolab on Feb 09, 2018, 09:04 AM
Any update on Evergreen? Thinking about trying this weekend.
Title: Re: Anyone with eyes on Evergreen/Bloomington?
Post by: Finaddict59 on Feb 11, 2018, 04:21 PM
Guys, what is the scoop on evergreen? Good ice,bad ice no ice,Ive never been there its pretty close,about 45 min to an hour from me.Ive heard a lot of good things about that lake but its south of me and if ive got iffy ice then I know it cant be good down there. Im hoping today,tonight and tomorrow will resolidify things my way, but if thers good ice south,I would love to know. Thank you  FIN.