Deep Lake, Lake County (all postings)

finally got out again...plenty of ice and was still making more today,lots of expansion noise...creepers are a must, the ice is very bumpy,like walking on small boulders...baby steps are needed...got out at 10.30am...a first for me in over 30 years of ice fishing today...caught a 14" bass on my pan fish rod with 1 lb. test...got it out of the hole and then my line broke...took a photo and let her go...my son caught a 24" northern on tip up with roach,took photo,back into lake...had one more flag but lost at the hole.we had little luck on gills or crappies...i talked to another fisherman who said that he caught some nice size gills....not many people out today...hope to get out again next week....

The Derby was fun. Our group a buddy caught a 20 inch pike, but that was about it. Food was great like aways and beers were flowing like always..haha. I will say it now and I will say it again...the lake is over fished....winter, summer it doesn't matter. Better then sitting on the couch.

Great job Johnny, glad to see someone getting the kids out fishing!

fished today at deep lake in jack and lidias invite derby..32 entered this years event which is more for fun, and a great meal afterwards, which had roast pork, polish sausage, meat balls, mashed potatoes, fried chicken aND A SALAD... fishing was slow,probably 50 to 75 other fisher people on the hard water with a few crappie caught 9 to 10 inchers, some assorted size gills...the derby winners this year was a 24" northern, 16.5 " bass 8.5" gill and a 7 perch...no crappies entered...not to brag, but after being in this derby for over 20 years the northern and gill were caught by my son jr. and i brought in the bass...till next report,stay warm, stay dry....

aft all im out in huntley area lookn for new places to fish i lost my fishn partner due to work thinking bout takin a trip up to deep lake understand a tournament is goin on this sat? wantin to try lake any advice ? also what main roads is it off? well thanks in advance ---------sarge

I use to put a permanent shanty at the north end over 20 years ago,havent been there in years but gonna get up there soon. Crappie bite was always good back then, mabey i'll see you guys there this year.

Thanks for the info guys. I've fished the lake for many years in the past, but not the last three. Have always fished the north end by the launch and parked at Jack's. Like to find the edge of the deep hole in the northeast bay. Good crappies just before dark. Will be there Friday, unless I change my mind and go to Crystal. By the way, with me, small fish always go back and I only keep what I will eat which usually isn't much.

and don't leave little ones on the ice.

oh and I'm with Johnny Mega...panfish yes...game fish go back in the hole. Practice it, do it and tell your friends.

Jacks fishing derby this Saturday. 8am till noon. Raffles and food served afterwards. $20 I'll be there with about 4 others.

plan on getting out saturday..jack and lidia's has plenty of parking and i think the fee is $5.00...the money goes for restocking....only keep what your planning on eating ( pan fish) and let the game fish grow up..(CPR)...hope to have a report on sunday...

There is no parking on the south end of the lake. Weve had good luck fishing the north end near the hump. The ice on the south end has been sketchy. I went thru last week in 6 fow. Theres also been a bunch of people trying to park near appartments on SW side but last week we ran into one of lake villa police officer and he said theyre going to start patroling the parking lots due to complaints. Best bet to get on lake is paying the few bucks and parking by jacks. You wont get towed or ticketed. Never had good luck at night either. Im glad they finally put restrictions on fish sizes the past year. Its 27" for pike, 18" walleye (if ya can actually catch one haha) 16" for largemouth. The lake has really been hit or miss recently. Good luck out there. And pease follow the the creel limits, it makes me sickto see people walking thru jacks lot with a bucket full of 4" bluegill and undersized pike and bass. Tightlines

Thanks for the info OneCool. May head out there on Friday if the incoming snow isn't too heavy.

to be honest, I've never had good luck out at night. I've tried a ton of times too. And about all them fish I mentioned that were stocked, they are all on the south side where the ice isn't safe.

I may go here tonight. Is it worth it? What kind of fish may i come across? thanks