Big Smallies In Kankakee High Water

Despite high, stained water, the fishing on the Kankakee for smallmouth bass is fantastic. Take a look at this recent article in The Daily Journal about the 22 1/2 inch bass pulled out of there at 7:45 am on a crankbait.

Bonfield fisherman Mike Sovinski gave proof on Monday that high water fishing can be exciting. He landed a 22 1/2 inch smallmouth bass while fishing the Kankakee River in the state park area.

He estimated its weight at 4 1/2 to 5 pounds.

He released the fish, as required by state regulation requiring that smallmouth caught between April 1 and June 15 be released immediately.

Sovinski said he was wading and casting a bright colored crankbait about 7:45 a.m. when the big fish hit.

“I saw it roll and saw that it was a big fish,” he said. “It was sitting right on the current break.” The fish took only a couple minutes to land.  Source

About the Kankakee

The Kankakee is predominantly a clear, shallow stream with gravel-rubble riffles, sand-bottom pools and swampy marsh areas along the upper portion. Larger pools are formed by dams at Momence, Kankakee and Wilmington and by the Dresden Lock and Dam on the headwaters of the Illinois. An aquatic resource of about 3,338 acres exists on the Kankakee.

Originating near South Bend, Indiana, the Kankakee flows southwesterly 121 miles to Aroma Park before being joined by the Iroquois River, its largest tributary. The Kankakee then flows north-westerly for 38 miles before gliding into the Illinois.

The best smallmouth action occurs in early spring and fall. Spinners, crank baits, jigs and similar artificials are good on the spunky fish, but minnows, worms, frogs and crayfish also can produce. Riffles, creek mouths and fast water below dams are good for “bronzebacks.”  Source

Fishing high water on the Kankakee

If you fish the Kankakee, feel free to share your experiences in the comments below! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on smallmouth news!