I had the chance to get out today with Duckman. I got there early and sampled so Duckman might be scratching his head on a few of these. All of the sampling was done within a mile of the original location but the water varied form deep sluggish water with a thick layer of bottom ooze to shallow flowing water with sandy, somewhat firm bottom.

The following fishes were found:

Notropis chalybaeus, Ironcolor Shiner
Ameiurus natalis, Yellow Bullhead
Noturus gyrinus, Tadpole Madtom
Esox americanus vermiculatus, Grass Pickerel
Umbra limi, Central Mudminnow
Aphredoderus sayanus, Pirate Perch
Fundulus dispar, Starhead Topminnow
Fundulus notatus, Blackstripe Topminnow
Ambloplites rupestris, Rock Bass
Lepomis cyanellus, Green Sunfish
Lepomis gibbosus, Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gulosus, Warmouth
Lepomis macrochirus, Bluegill
Lepomis megalotis, Longear Sunfish
Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Black Crappie
Etheostoma microperca, Least Darter
Etheostoma nigrum, Johnny Darter
Percina maculata, Blackside Darter

This year the pickerel spawned under the ice and their young have grown dramatically in two weeks over doubling in size. Most Grass pickerel young were packed with food and abundant.
The F. dispar are particularly large, healthy and abundant this year. I think every single seine haul had several pickerel and F. dispar.
Mudminnows seem to have spawned since the females didn't seem particularly plump but perhaps I'm wrong on this one.

As always a great time, Thanks Duckman.

Have you ever pulled the F. Dispar from the Illinois side of the Kankakee? I've tried a few times and haven't been able to find them there.

Not having any experience, ... Can you tell the pickeral fry from northerns?

Have you ever pulled the F. Dispar from the Illinois side of the Kankakee? I've tried a few times and haven't been able to find them there.

Yes I find them in backwaters and ditches on the Illinois side as well. I don't see them further west in the river. As you know, the Kankakee river makes an abrupt change to a swifter rocky river downstream of Momence and the areas that seem as though could potentially hold F. dispar are separated by faster flowing waters than the state line section. I find them as far as the western most island in that section of river.

I'd be willing to bet you and I could spend a few days in this area. You have to let me know when you're in town and I'll show you some spots. I grew up on this river

Yes I find them in backwaters and ditches on the Illinois side as well. I don't see them further west in the river. As you know, the Kankakee river makes an abrupt change to a swifter rocky river downstream of Momence and the areas that seem as though could potentially hold F. dispar are separated by faster flowing waters than the state line section. I find them as far as the western most island in that section of river.

I'd be willing to bet you and I could spend a few days in this area. You have to let me know when you're in town and I'll show you some spots. I grew up on this river

Next time I'm in town might now be until May when I come through on my way towards Southeastern Wisconsin, with a lay-over in the Suburbs.

Next time I'm in town might now be until May when I come through on my way towards Southeastern Wisconsin, with a lay-over in the Suburbs.

I'll be ready just about any time

I should add that the highlight was toping my waders & sucking wind. We were pushing the limits of the waders and I found a soft spot in the muck. The step felt good at first but was too late to correct. That water was pretty darn cold.