Hunting in the Midwest peaks this month. Deer hunters enjoy the excitement of the annual rut. Wing shooters have pheasant, quail, and grouse seasons open region wide. Waterfowl hunters are knocking down ducks and geese from the Prairie Potholes to the Ohio River Valley. It’s certainly a special time of year to be a sportsman.
With crowds often minimal, open water fishing opportunities remain abundant. This time of year, river systems often are top angling destinations for everything from trout to catfish. While big waters remain open in the north, musky and walleye anglers are making final runs to favorite waters. Down south, reservoir anglers, who fish where ice rarely appears, are transitioning to cold water patterns.
November is the month we focus on giving thanks for our many blessings. As fishermen and hunters in the Midwest, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for.
Illinois – Heidecke Lake Hybrid Striped Bass (Wipers)
Heidecke Lake has produced numerous state records for hybrid striped bass, and it remains a top wiper water in the state. Located in Grundy County, about an hour from downtown Chicago, Heidecke Lake offers 1,300-acres angling opportunity. Wipers are stocked annually in the reservoir with many reaching weights over 8 pounds. In the late fall, anglers watch for schools of baitfish on the surface. Once located, throw large shad-colored crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, and topwater lures into the ruckus, or troll spoons or heavy swim baits around the school. Floating live shiners under a bobber over old road beads and rock piles also produces.
Iowa – Pheasant
Iowa has more pheasants than many realize. The results of state’s 2024 pheasant population survey by the DNR found Iowa’s statewide pheasant population to be 19 birds per 30-mile route. These numbers are far higher in certain areas where population densities are strong, like the state’s northwest corner where count found 33 birds per 30-mile route. Most pheasant hunting takes place on private land in Iowa, but Dickinson County is home to quite a bit of quality public land for pheasant hunting. Iowa’s pheasant season opens October 25 and runs until January 10. Iowa pheasant hunters shot nearly 600,000 pheasant in 2022.
Kentucky – Laurel River Lake Walleye
Walleye are a surprise species for many anglers who primarily target the robust bass populations at Laurel River Lake. But once clued into the fact that walleye are abundant in this gorgeous Eastern Kentucky mountain reservoir, anglers seek out these fine eating fish and do well. Walleye tracking studies conducted by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife show wide distribution throughout the lake during November. Walleye frequent the timber filled coves of Laurel River Lake. Trolling stickbaits, and drifting Lindy Rigs or nightcrawler harnesses on the outer edge of standing timber and along rocky points produces walleye this late in the year. The riprap along the Laurel river Dam is a known walleye spot.
Michigan – Firearms Deer
It would be hard to find a sporting tradition more Midwestern than deer hunting in Michigan. This year, the Regular Firearms Season runs from November 15 – 30. Michigan is full of public hunting opportunities, with much of the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula and most of the Upper Peninsula in public hands. Deer camps are a big part of the Michigan deer hunting culture. Campers and tents clustered together deep in a national or state forest are a common site. Hunters spread out and take stands over powerline cuts, clear cut forest areas, and logging roads. Hunting and Thanksgiving go together like turkey and mashed potatoes. This special holiday revolves around food. Spending the morning or most of the long weekend in the deer woods makes perfect sense.
Missouri – Quail
Quail season opens Nov. 1 in Missouri and runs until Jan 15. Conversations with old timers in coffee shops across the state would lead one to believe there isn’t a quail left in the state. It is true that population numbers remain far below where they were in the 1970s and 80s, but the current situation isn’t as dire as some believe. While naming a specific spot would cost me numerous friends, I’ll attest there are plenty of quail to hunt on Conservation Areas, especially in southwest the north-central regions of the state. Missouri has a strong Quail Forever presence. Attending a local banquet or contacting local members is a great way to gather quail hunting intel.
Nebraska – Verdigre Creek Trout
In Antelope County just a mile north of Royal, is one of the prettiest little trout streams you’ll find in the Great Plains. Grove Lake FWA provides public access to the stream, where both brown and rainbow trout are found. Between 3 to 4 miles of trout water exits here, which at its widest is about 15 feet. Ultralight spinning equipment, or 3 or 4 weight fly rods are ideal for targeting trout in this small but dynamic cold-water creek. Rainbow trout are stocked in the creek aggressively, but the brown trout are naturally reproducing. Read the water to fish the pools, riffles, and runs with small Rooster Tails, or little dry flies and nymphs.
North Dakota – Ducks
North Dakota duck hunting has flown under the radar for many years because of restrictions on non-residents. But with the Peace Garden State being more friendly to outsiders lately, allowing us to hunt up to 14 days with the possibility of splitting that into two 7-day stretches, it’s beginning to receive the duck hunting recognition it deserves. November is when much of the magic takes place. All along the Missouri River duck hunters do well. From small prairie potholes to giant reservoirs where layout boat hunts may seem like sea duck hunting, duck hunters in North Dakota do well. Devil’s Lake is an especially popular destination where one may shoot a limit of ducks and catch a limit of walleye in the same day.
Wisconsin – Green Bay Musky
Musky may be known as the “the fish of 10,000 casts,” but this time of year you might get away with only casting once if you throw your bait out and troll long enough in Green Bay. If you want the reward and excitement of landing one of these solitary predators, you have to put in the work and fish where musky are found. Green Bay is an emerging musky hot spot. In November, musky move deeper off weed beds in search of bait fish. Find the bait and start trolling large stick baits that imitate shad or paddle tail swim baits. As the water temperature continues to drop, musky follow the bait fish to river mouths. Around the mouth of the Fox River is an especially good spot for late fall musky.
See you down the trail…
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