Coho: Most reports have been random with Powerliners having the most success from shore. The most "consistent" areas have been Montrose, Jackson, and Cal Park, but it is very dependent on wind. Expect the next couple weeks of warmer weather to make the fishing much better for shoreline casters. Swimbaits are going to be a major player based on the amount of bait around. Trolling has been fairly consistent around 8-40, with most anglers focusing on Indiana waters around East Chicago, Gary, and Portage until the temps rise a little more. Flatline trolling crankbaits like a Thinfish or J9 Rapala have been good. Many anglers are also having success on flies, the Eddie Flies in particular.
Crappie: Very good reports are starting to come in. Lots of anglers are finding success at the local community holes like Saganahskee Slough, Tampier, Wolf Lake, Heideckie Lake, and Monee Reservoir to name a few. Nearly all decent crappie lakes are producing good panfish right now. The better size seems to be coming off of moving baits like road runners and swimbaits, but most are still finding good fish on Gulp Alive Minnows, Bobby Garland plastics and live fathead minnows.
Catfish: Consistent reports from Braidwood and LaSalle lakes are backed up by lots of Skipjack and Shad purchases. Although, we have seen a rise in the amount of Sonny's Triple S as well as other dip baits and dip worms in the last month. Most fisherman are claiming that dip baits are catching the better eater size catfish.
Walleye: Walleye are picking up around the Kankakee River as water levels have dropped compared to the levels of weeks past with the heavy rain. Heideckie and Wolf Lakes have also produced better size Walleye in the last week. Most fish are being caught on a mix of baits with crankbaits like Flicker Shad, swimbaits like the 3-4" Keitech Easy Shiner and Yamamoto Shad Shape Swimmer, as well as the tried and true Live Fathead Minnow, typically Large or Extra Large.
Bass: Largemouth have been great in the local rivers and lakes. Chatterbaits, Swim Jigs and Spinnerbaits have been the go-to. Medium and Large Roach Minnows have also been consistent. Smallies around the Dupage and Kankakee are still good, with better size fish being reported in the recent weeks. Lots of 2-3 pound fish. The lakefront is also great for smallmouth with most fish being caught on jigs and swimbaits.