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longear sunfish in SE Illinois?


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#1 Guest_AMcCaleb_*

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Posted 31 May 2013 - 09:28 AM

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a good place to collect longear sunfish in SE Illinois. I live about 10 miles north of I-64 about 15 minutes from the IN border. I'm between the Wabash and little Wabash rivers but I've never caught any sunfish (other than bluegill) out of either or out of any of the streams and creeks that flow from it. Anyone know of a good place within an hour of where I live to go collecting?

#2 Guest_BenCantrell_*

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Posted 31 May 2013 - 01:30 PM

The INHS website has all the distribution maps from the Fishes of Illinois book. You shouldn't have to go far to find longears.

http://wwx.inhs.illi...hyology/ilfish/

Be sure to read up on the legality of collecting in Illinois before you take any fish home. From what I recall the regulations are worded poorly, so most people avoid collecting in Illinois to avoid any trouble. If you read something that leads you to believe it may be ok, give the local warden a call and double check first.

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#3 Guest_Uland_*

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Posted 01 June 2013 - 07:58 AM

In Edwards Co., you can find them in Sugar Creek. In Wayne Co, you can find them in Brush, Deer Elm and Skillet Fork among others.
Good luck.

#4 Guest_AMcCaleb_*

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Posted 01 June 2013 - 11:58 AM

In Edwards Co., you can find them in Sugar Creek. In Wayne Co, you can find them in Brush, Deer Elm and Skillet Fork among others.
Good luck.

Thanks a lot. That will help me. What's the best thing to catch them on? Bait? Jig?

#5 Guest_Skipjack_*

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Posted 01 June 2013 - 12:51 PM

Long shank hook, pinch down the barb with pliers to minimize damage to the fish, and wax worms from any bait shop. They should be spawning in shallow pools right about now.

#6 Guest_AMcCaleb_*

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Posted 01 June 2013 - 11:12 PM

That's exactly the sort of advice I was looking for. Thanks everyone.



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