For more information, contact Shabbona Lakeside Bait at (815) 824-2581 or visit the Web site at www.shabbonalake.com .

The 15 natural lakes that make up the Fox Chain O’ Lakes sees incredible boat traffic throughout the summer. But there are so many walleyes swimming here that the IDNR uses the chain as a brood lake, milking the eggs for stocking in other state waters.

Protecting reproductive-sized female walleyes that swim in the chain is critical to ensure the future of good fishing in the Prairie State. For this reason, the IDNR introduced a slot limit in 1996 that continues to shelter the walleye population.

This is the place where you want plenty of iced-down Red Bull, AC/DC blaring on the boom box and your ball cap on backward when it’s time to go walleye fishing. Success on the chain is typically a run-and-gun proposal -- speed casting a No. 7 Firetiger ShadRap toward the wake-roiled shoreline at points where the chain necks down at bridges and between lakes. No kidding.

Throw conventional wisdom out the window. Fish in less than 10 feet of water, even during the hottest days of summer, casting crankbaits toward the shore. Twenty walleyes is an average day. Fifty ‘eyes is not out of the question but 18- to 20-inchers are protected by the slot. If you want to eat fish, stop at Red Lobster or Long John Silver on the way home.

Every one of these lakes holds walleyes. If you’re in a big hurry, the odds are probably shortest on Channel-Catherine, Marie or Pistakee lakes. If you don’t hook up after 10 casts, move to the next narrows and try again.

Greg Dickson at the Triangle Bait Shop is the closest thing the chain has to a guru. You may call him at (847) 395-0813.

That IDNR white paper concerning walleyes and saugers said walleyes are the most sought-after game fish in Illinois. While that contention is certainly plausible on the heavily pressured waters of the Fox Chain, show the report to folks at Kinkaid Lake and you’ll likely hear an expletive.

“Virtually nobody fishes for walleyes on Kinkaid,” IDNR fisheries biologist Shawn Hirst said. “Anglers chase bass, crappies and, of course, a few go after muskies, but essentially the only time a walleye gets caught is with a hook intended for some other species.”

‘Eye chasers, take note -- Kinkaid is a sleeper by any definition of the word. Walleye growth is far above state averages because of an extensive forage base and a longer growing season. A barrier installed in 1998 effectively prevents walleyes from going over the spillway during periods of high water.

The IDNR has aggressively stocked walleyes here for years. In spring 2006, about 55,000 2-inch fingerlings and 1,300 6-inch fish were introduced. Later eight fish measuring 23 to 25 inches were recovered from trap nets. Other surveys have revealed walleyes in excess of 10 pounds.

With Mother’s Day approaching, southern Illinois is already on the verge of serious summer. Even accidental walleyes will be rare until fish begin turning up on muskie anglers’ jerkbaits this fall. The best time to fish for Kinkaid Lake walleyes is March and early April when fish congregate in clearer water near the dam.

Kinkaid has the potential to produce a state-record walleye. Why fly to a remote Canadian lake when you can fish essentially virgin walleye waters with your Illinois license?