During the search for the lake's big fish, Gallagher tells his clients to keep the bait within 12 inches of the surface. Active fish are the target and active fish is what they find.

Muskie baits of all sorts will do for casting, but trolling calls for a chartreuse Little Ernie, said Gallagher. Cloudy days with wind and a chop on the water are when the muskies are the most active.

About 3,000 fingerling muskies have been stocked every year since 2006, a big increase over the target numbers of earlier years. The recent fisheries survey produced some impressive results. The average female was over 39 inches long and weighed in at over 16 pounds. The largest fish was over 47 inches, and the heaviest tipped the scales past 29 pounds.

The Fox Chain covers 8,100 acres of water. A one-fish creel limit with a minimum length of 48 inches is in effect from the Wisconsin line south to the Algonquin Dam.

For more information, contact the DNR at (815) 675-2319 or guide Rich Gallagher at (847) 741-9771 and online at www.biggoomba.com.

STERLING LAKE
Sterling is small, but it's mighty. It only covers about 80 acres, but it has more than its share of trophy potential. The recent DNR fish sampling found fish up to 37 inches. Biologists used electroshocking and caught six fish per hour of sampling, which exceeded the committee's goal of just one fish per hour. Fish up to 48 inches have been caught by hook and line.

The DNR has been stocking the lake with from 150 to 300 fingerlings a year. This number of fingerlings keeps the overall numbers up while offering the chance for a big fish at the same time.

Sterling offers muskie fishing right off the bank. It's a park with pit toilets and places for the kids to play.

Shore-fishing requires a long muskie rod and a smooth baitcasting or spin-casting reel spooled with 20-pound monofilament or an equivalent super line. As difficult as horsing a big muskie straight up to the boat can be, reeling it in from 20 yards out can be an even bigger feat. Come prepared to wade in to retrieve your fish.

There is a bag limit of one fish per day with a minimum length of 48 inches. There aren't a lot of adult muskies in the lake, so care should be taken to carefully release these fish when you catch them. This is the perfect spot to leave the fish in the water while you're releasing it.

Sterling Lake is in the Van Patten Woods Park in northeastern Lake County. It's located near Wadsworth on state Route (SR) 173, between SR 32 and Green Bay Road.

For more information, contact the Lake County Forest Preserve District at (847) 367-6640.

LAKE CARLTON
Lake Carlton only covers 77 acres of water, yet it's a muskie-producing hotspot. The stockings aren't heavy, and they don't need to be. Even with less than 100 new muskies being introduced on an annual or bi-annual basis, Lake Carlton has risen up through the ranks to become one of Illinois' premier muskie destinations.