FOX CHAIN-O-LAKES
These 15 natural lakes in northeastern Illinois are in a class by themselves when you're talking walleyes. "The Chain" is the closest thing we have to a walleye factory in Illinois. This trend should continue indefinitely if the slot limit protecting breeding-sized fish remains in place. Every lake in the chain holds walleyes, but Marie, Pistakee and Channel-Catherine give up the most fish.

Bridges, narrows and necked-down areas between the lakes are generally the best spots to hook up, and docks and similar structures are fish magnets. But most of the time, forget classic walleye strategies when fishing here. A large portion of the walleye biomass is suspended in the top 10 feet of the water column all summer long, so this is one fishery where you don't want to be a deep-thinker. Doing something goofy like casting a Rat-L-Trap toward rocks where perpetual boat wakes crash against the shore will result in more fish than gingerly probing main-lake points with a 1/4-ounce jig.

When it comes to educating the next generation of walleye anglers, the Fox Chain-O-Lakes is enigmatic. Chances of catching walleyes are as good or better here than on any other lake system in our state. But the 'eyes don't exhibit classic walleye behavior. Use techniques that work on this chain as a template for walleye fishing on other Illinois waters, and you'll likely come up empty.

The biggest mistake you can make when chasing walleyes on the Fox Chain this summer is to take this pursuit too seriously. Go down and wing a few "practice casts" off a dock or around bridge pilings with a No. 7 fire-tiger Shad Rap, and you'll catch more fish than some guy in a fancy deep-V boat who is meticulously backtrolling the 14-foot contour with his eyes glued to the electronics.

Contact: Triangle Bait Shop, (847) 395-0813.

CLINTON LAKE
This central Illinois cooling lake has been a walleye fishing destination for decades.

In recent years, the DNR has been stocking advanced fingerlings in this 5,000-acre lake that have a better survival rate than smaller fry. Recent creel surveys by the DNR indicate fishing success has improved here over the past couple of years as anglers have fine-tuned techniques for trolling stick baits behind planer boards off main-lake points. Baitfish are a major key to fish location. Find clouds of baitfish on your electronics, and the walleyes won't be far away.

Because of Homeland Security concerns, Clinton Lake is one of a number of Illinois power-plant lakes with a built-in fish refuge in the form of a restricted area close to the plant. Folks who fished Clinton before the events of 9-11 will tell you those waters that are now off-limits are where most of the walleyes spend most of their time. The good news is, these critters aren't tied up, and we still have the freedom to fish for them on most of the lake.

Contact: Clinton Lake Recreation Area, (217) 935-8722.