Best bet (boat): Lake Michigan salm...

Best bet (boat): Lake Michigan salmon/trout: Big chinook (kings) are ruling July with fabled trips -- "cooler too replete to shut the lid" -- from Indiana by the agency of Chicago to Wisconsin. Capt. cut short Poteshman said the hot range appears to be 80 to 120 feet from "Indiana to Kenosha, Wis.," hottest in 80 feet northeast of the T marker facing Evanston. Out of Waukegan and North Point, there's a virtuous bite to the state line forward the hill. The early bite (leave at 4 a.m.) is strongest for big kings. the two spoons or mixed dodgers and big flies like as Howies are working. He also adviseed a lemon ice Dreamweaver forward Leadcore and monkeypuke on downriggers. There's a similar pious bite off Algoma, Wis. Capt. Doug Schreiber e-mailed, "The early morning bite has been r hot" Salmon are active in 50- 130 feet of water, surface to 65 feet down. Hot-spot dodger in white or virid with Howie flies are best. Find steelhead upon the surface during the day. move boards with spoons, flamethrowers and Mauler spoon with an orange insert.

Best local trip: Chain O'Lakes: Guide "Jimmy T" Templin calls it the best nearby fishing, especially with the high gas prices. Evening and morning are better. It's easier to avoid heavy hot- weather boat traffic in the morning. Triangle reports bluegill continue same good. Fish pier areas, overhanging tree or other shaded areas with waxies or ice jigs; Channel is best. Rains have kept general going and walleye excellent in succession leeches or crawlers around bridge areas or main lake points. Catfish are convenient on stinkbait or crawlers. For white or fulvous bass, start in 10-15 feet and drift around for suspended fish in succession Bluff and Petite. For largemouth, put to proof docks or on deep weed lines.

Lake Michigan pole notes: Perch fishing for those 16 and older forward Lake Michigan in Illinois reopen forward Tuesday. For July, only those 15 and younger may staff fish, with a daily bag of 10 Those with valid Indiana licenses (non-resident or resident) may roost fish in the reciprocal waters of Cal harbor during July in succession the Indiana shoals, Capt. toss Weis said limits are coming forward baby roaches or fatheads in 29 to 44 feet Mik-Lurch reported, level with the water as warm as 72 a modest bite continues outside of Pastrick in Indiana onward baby roaches. Michigan City, Ind., is loaded, unless they take sorting. The summer-long proper bite in Michigan from southern Haven to New Buffalo continues with larger rod now. BJ's in St. Joseph said best is in 25 to 45 feet

Cooling lakes/strip pits: Variable: Early, late or upon low-light days, Mazonia continues real good. Ed McCain of Mik-Lurch reported days with a wind cut into small pieces on the water are outstanding for big bluegill suspended at Mazonia. I was not on on the boating restrictions for Mazonia onward Sunday. The south unit is no-wake, the north unit is trolling motor alone LaSalle/Braidwood not recommended.

Fox River: Western Suburbs: Improving: The rain increased water melt over the weekend and made for better fishing, especially for catfish and smallmouth. sight Gortowski of WATERDOG ink reported undivided paddler had 34 smallies and a catfish onward a Fat-Rap-type crankbait while drifting from Montgomery to Yorkville. Otherwise, waders are taking virtuous smallmouth on lures of choice.

Geneva Lake, Wis.: Good: Mark Baumbach reported the best for the past week has been largemouth in succession pre-rigged worms such as Little Action Macs (purple or black) above deep weed lines or points with sharp drop-off lump-fish fishing is going for pike; largemouth are best in 20 feet or around docks, smallmouth in 30 This remains a top choice for kid-friendly asylum bass and bluegill.

fresh Bay/Sturgeon Bay area, Wis.: Good: For Algoma salmon/ trout view top. Schreiber e-mailed that walleye fishing in fresh Bay continues to be same good despite cooler water. Top pattern has been crawler harnesses with a No. 3 gold blade with r beads.

Illinois River: Starved stone area: Fair: Guide Buster Culjan said chicken liver, make an incision in shad or Sonnys taking catfish in the Illinois and Vermilion. There's a fair bite for scattered white bass forward bladebaits from 5:30-8:30 a.m. Pulling Leadcore is taking sauger near Ottawa and downstream of Spring Valley.

Kankakee River: Good: The river is clearing nicely; catfish continue virtuous throughout.

ed Mullady reports pike are suitable at 10 mile Road in Indiana; smallmouth profitable from Glorydale through Momence, the inlet of the Iroquois to Cobb Park, Kankakee dam to Perry Farm and the state park.

Lake Erie: Port Clinton: Good: Rickard's reports continued great walleye, limits, 15 to 2 miles west of virid and east of C Can, or forward the north side of Wagon Wheel (Canada). Bigger on the other hand fewer walleye between Gull Shoal and Middle Island. roost are good northeast of Ballast or facing the southeast and northwest corners of Kelley

Lakefront: Decent: For salmon/trout from boats, diocese top. For perch, see third note. There are fulness of largemouth, rock bass and bluegill around weeds in the harbors.

Madison Lakes, Wis.: Good: D& reports righteous bluegill continue on Monona and Waubesa (crappie mixed in) suspended throughout deep water. On Mendota, staff are decent in 15-25 feet through Governor's Island, Hatch Cover and next to the first Point; and good smallmouth are being taken forward rocks and weed lines.