Northern Pike

If you're after Northern Pike, the Chain O'Lakes near Port Barrington, Illinois, is a fantastic destination. The weedy bays and interconnected waterways provide ideal habitat for these ambush predators. Spring and early summer are excellent times, as pike are often found in shallower water near spawning areas. Try trolling large spoons or spinnerbaits along weedlines or casting jerkbaits and swimbaits in open pockets. A local tip: use a wire leader to prevent bite-offs, as pike have razor-sharp teeth. The Grass Lake area of the Chain is known to hold some larger pike. Access is available through several public boat launches, including those at Chain O'Lakes State Park. Remember to handle pike carefully, as they can be quite aggressive and their gill rakers are sharp.