8 replies to this topic

[juhason]

I would really like to get some shiners or minnows, darters, and maybe a madtom???

I know now the weather is starting to cool down. Is it still ok for collecting? This is the first time in a long time I am able to go collecting, so I went this morning around 10:30 and waded around with a net (can't find my minnow trap either) in the river and one pond. All I caught were two blackstripe topminnows (I caught more but these two in particular had incredible markings!!!) And the majority of the river where I have caught stuff before was too high to walk in due to recent storms.

 

Anyways when are the best times to collect and the best places (as in, which parts of the pond or river)

And in particular I would really be thrilled if I could catch some red shiners... I live in Des Plaines if anyone would like to pm me some good spots, even if it doesn't have red shiners. Thanks!!

 

[mattknepley]

After a couple years of doing this now, I have found winter to be my favorite time to collect. The fish are still around, in some cases easier to access, and in general it's the healthier ones that are left. (Keep in mind I'm in the Upstate of South Carolina, but I have been out on many days in the low thirties. Dustin and I were even out one mountain morning at 18F and nets that froze as soon as they were pulled from the water.) Neoprenes are very nice, but long undies and determination underneath regular waders will do. Just be super careful not to put yourself in a position where you're likely to get water over the top of your waders. Even if you don't drown yourself, the supercold does tend to shorten your collecting session. I know Iowa winters are worse than mine, but as a kid in upstate New York I routinely explored the streams that had enough current to keep from freezing over. I'm sure you can find fish in late fall/early winter up your way; whenever that happens to be.

Work whatever water you find to be fun, and safe.

[Matt DeLaVega]

Cool temps are generally better for collecting. The fish transport better, suffer less stress and likely have less pathogens to deal with than when in warm water. The biggest things in my opinion to be careful of are warming them up slowly and not keeping them out of water long at all if temps are below freezing.

 

 Our native fish seem to be able to easily handle going from warm water into much cooler water. Not so much the other way around, so slowly acclimate them to your warmer tank temperatures.

 

 Gills are very delicate organs, and in very cold temperatures they can freeze or suffer damage from the cold very quickly, so keep them in water as much as possible. Of course they are fish so common sense says no matter the time of year, do not keep them out of water long.

 

 Summer is generally the worst time of year to bring specimens home if you want them to live.

 

The  Vermillion river in La Salle county has a good population of red shiners.

[Michael Wolfe]

Agree with the guys above, the only thing I might add is that higher water can cause the fish to be spread out more (since they just have more habitat to select from).  So you might need to work a little harder (as in, dont try to go netting or seining alone... get a partner).

[juhason]

After a couple years of doing this now, I have found winter to be my favorite time to collect. The fish are still around, in some cases easier to access, and in general it's the healthier ones that are left. (Keep in mind I'm in the Upstate of South Carolina, but I have been out on many days in the low thirties. Dustin and I were even out one mountain morning at 18F and nets that froze as soon as they were pulled from the water.) Neoprenes are very nice, but long undies and determination underneath regular waders will do. Just be super careful not to put yourself in a position where you're likely to get water over the top of your waders. Even if you don't drown yourself, the supercold does tend to shorten your collecting session. I know Iowa winters are worse than mine, but as a kid in upstate New York I routinely explored the streams that had enough current to keep from freezing over. I'm sure you can find fish in late fall/early winter up your way; whenever that happens to be.

Work whatever water you find to be fun, and safe.

 

Cool temps are generally better for collecting. The fish transport better, suffer less stress and likely have less pathogens to deal with than when in warm water. The biggest things in my opinion to be careful of are warming them up slowly and not keeping them out of water long at all if temps are below freezing.

 

 Our native fish seem to be able to easily handle going from warm water into much cooler water. Not so much the other way around, so slowly acclimate them to your warmer tank temperatures.

 

 Gills are very delicate organs, and in very cold temperatures they can freeze or suffer damage from the cold very quickly, so keep them in water as much as possible. Of course they are fish so common sense says no matter the time of year, do not keep them out of water long.

 

 Summer is generally the worst time of year to bring specimens home if you want them to live.

 

The  Vermillion river in La Salle county has a good population of red shiners.

 

 

Agree with the guys above, the only thing I might add is that higher water can cause the fish to be spread out more (since they just have more habitat to select from).  So you might need to work a little harder (as in, dont try to go netting or seining alone... get a partner).

Interesting! I would think the opposite. Never thought winter would be a good time, although I was only thinking about myself being cold. I guess I have a strong population living near me because every fish I've taken home have survived (unless eaten) and I always go in the summer. I used to think spring was the best time because then I could see all the different species clearly since they are breeding until I tried to go netting and there was no shore (flooding is extremely common in my area, especially in spring) Anyways thanks for the tip I'm excited to go searching this fall and winter!

Also thanks for the location on red shiners Matt! I am working and in school so I definitely won't be able to go that far (2 hour drive) anytime soon but it's good to know.

 

And Michael I wish someone would go seining with me! Unfortunately for me, I am the "odd" one in my group of friends and family. No body else cares about fish or animals the way I do, and none of them are willing to get in the water

Edited by juhason, 02 October 2015 - 08:56 AM.

[littlen]

 

And Michael I wish someone would go seining with me! Unfortunately for me, I am the "odd" one in my group of friends and family. No body else cares about fish or animals the way I do, and none of them are willing to get in the water

Welcome to the club......

[Matt DeLaVega]

Maybe Ben Cantrell can steer you right, but I would imagine that most major tribs to the Illinois river hold red shiners, the Vermillion just happens to be familiar to me, so it is really the only river that I can speak of with certainty. Garvana is a worthwhile destination on the Vermillion though. Mostly for angling, lots of shortnose gar, mooneye, and pretty darn good smallmouth fishing. Plenty of red shiners there as well. 2 hour drive, heck that can be a day trip if you leave home early.

[gerald]

I tend to find that fish are more clustered in cold weather, often in scour pools under tree roots or sunken logs with slow current (minnows, shiners, sunfish).  No need for them to waste energy fighting the current when their food need is low and it's not spawning season.  It may take longer to locate the few spots where they're all congregating, but you can often get lots of fish in a small area when you do find their hidey-holes.  And since they're not as hungry when it's cold, you'll find large and small fish mixed together. Darters, madtoms, and benthic minnows may be under big rocks in slower water than they'd occupy during the warm season.

[juhason]

Welcome to the club......

Thanks lol

 

Maybe Ben Cantrell can steer you right, but I would imagine that most major tribs to the Illinois river hold red shiners, the Vermillion just happens to be familiar to me, so it is really the only river that I can speak of with certainty. Garvana is a worthwhile destination on the Vermillion though. Mostly for angling, lots of shortnose gar, mooneye, and pretty darn good smallmouth fishing. Plenty of red shiners there as well. 2 hour drive, heck that can be a day trip if you leave home early.

I definitely want to check it out. Hopefully next summer or maybe spring break.

 

I tend to find that fish are more clustered in cold weather, often in scour pools under tree roots or sunken logs with slow current (minnows, shiners, sunfish).  No need for them to waste energy fighting the current when their food need is low and it's not spawning season.  It may take longer to locate the few spots where they're all congregating, but you can often get lots of fish in a small area when you do find their hidey-holes.  And since they're not as hungry when it's cold, you'll find large and small fish mixed together. Darters, madtoms, and benthic minnows may be under big rocks in slower water than they'd occupy during the warm season.

That's great news! Can't wait to get out there and find them