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The Yacht Club: Where Cape Coral Plays

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Cape Coralites considered the Cape Coral Yacht & Racquet Club ‘the hub and the heart’ of their new community

60th anniversary: a look back, by tom hayden - | jun 13, 2022.

A postcard showing the fishing pier where the Cape Coral Yacht & Racquet Club will be built and then opened on June 10, 1962.

The Cape Coral Yacht Club is steeped in history from that opening event on June 9, 1962, to significant meetings that changed the course of the city to the many gatherings inside and out of this iconic area.

Before the Yacht Club facility was built residents were already gathering on the site. On Sept. 2, 1961, the day of the building’s groundbreaking, the tennis courts and Olympic-sized swimming pool opened at the $1 million complex, which also included the beach and eventually the youth center.

Dennis Duffala, an early resident, also was one of the original lifeguards at the pool. “We all got trained and would sit there on benches above the pool,” Duffala said. “When people would come from out of town that would be one of the first places they would hit. All of my friends were down there.”

Gulf American Corporation Vice President Connie Mack Jr. was already pushing the merits of the community in a letter to residents — he called them “Cape Coralites” — on the day of the groundbreaking.

“Between the luxurious accommodations (especially priced to homesite owners) at the Nautilus Motel, and the fun facilities at the Yacht and Racquet Club, with a round or two of golf at our Country Club course — topped off by a bit of boating and fishing when the mood suits you — well, let’s face it! Who could ask for anything more … or want to?”

A postcard featuring the front of the 'new' Cape Coral Yacht & Racquet Club..

Ann (Finkernagel) Duffala, who is Dennis Duffala’s wife and also one of the first residents, remembers walking with friend Ann Sanborn (whose father Paul Sanborn was Gulf American Corporation’s communications director and general manager of the Yacht Club) to the facility. “At the very beginning, it was the hub and the heart of the whole thing,” said Ann, whose father, Bob Finkernagel, was GAC general manager. “The main thing was it engaged everyone in the community, made everybody a part of it. Anything south of the parkway, the teenagers would just meet there.”

“Dad was not home much. (The Yacht Club) was his second home,” said Mary (Sanborn) Rieser, Paul Sanborn’s daughter. “I have a lot of memories there in dad’s office. I spent a lot of time hanging out there.”

Mary also remembers having Fourth of July celebrations on the beach “because there were so few people there.”

And a few teenage pranks. “The kids used to put soap suds in the fountain and dad would have to go take care of it,” Ann said.

Yes, the Yacht Club was a critical part of the community’s development.

Postcard featuring the pool of the new Cape Coral Yacht & Racquet Club..

In 1958, boats that gave prospective land buyers a view of their future, tied up to a small dock that would later become the yacht basin. One of those boats was called Trident.

In the winter of 1959, the Gulf Land and Title Company — the original name of Gulf American Corporation — put concrete blocks together and built a 15-foot grill, where residents would gather on what is now the Yacht Club site to cook steaks and hamburgers. They sang state songs like “Back Home Again in Indiana,” “Beautiful Ohio,” and “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,” according to a story by H.D. (Andy) Anderson in the Cape Coral Breeze 20th anniversary edition.

The decking for the 620-foot Cape Coral fishing pier was placed in early 1960, with the “T” of the pier to be added later. The pier became a popular fishing destination and even withstood the wrath of Hurricane Donna later that year.

“We used to spend a lot of time down there,” Dennis Duffala said. “There used to be a lot of regatta races down there. I had a boat then, and we lived on the canal.”

He also lived at the original bait shack at the foot of the pier, where live bait could be purchased. “My father had an account there, and I would just sign my name,” he said.

An aerial photo of the fishing pier, and the Cape Coral Yacht & Racquet Club, circa 1966. The opening of the Yacht Club spurred rapid development nearby.

The pier was also special for Damian Minko, another of the first residents. It was a fishing mecca, where everything from big tarpon to much smaller varieties were often reeled in. “It was great fishing back in those days.

He also remembers a petition signed by residents protesting the pier. “It obstructed the view of people living on Riverside at the time,” Minko said. That petition didn’t catch on.

Eileen Bernard, one of the first residents, wrote in 1978 that she remembers slipping a note into the pocket of GAC President Leonard Rosen at a stockholder’s meeting in 1961 in the Yacht Club area, about making the new bridge from Fort Myers to Cape Coral a tourist attraction, with possibly plants or water. They talked about having water spraying over the two-lane bridge, which opened in 1964.

Born from that conversation was Waltzing Waters, purchased by the Rosen brothers while they were in Europe. Otto Przystawik of Germany designed the attraction. Its first home was the original Rose Gardens (where Tarpon Point is now). Developed on a 2.5-acre lake, Waltzing Waters would send more than 800 jets of water as high as 85 feet. The water would change colors to various musical scores. It closed in mid-1970s.

During the summer of 1963, Marily Shumaker had the first swimming classes at the Yacht Club. “There, 15 kids too small to touch bottom hung tightly to the sides of the pool and learned to swim, corner to corner,” Dorothy Needham reported in a Cape Coral Breeze article. “By the end of the summer, those little tots would dive off the board and swim the length of that Olympic size pool.”

“Every little kid learned how to swim there,” Mary Rieser said.

“It was our home away from home. Everything that happened or was important in our lives happened in that building,” said Cape Coral City Council member Gloria Tate, who moved to the city as a child in 1960. “My sister and I played the organ as we had our church service there. It was the gathering place for any activity in Cape Coral. I grew up in that swimming pool. Every lesson I can think of I learned at the Yacht Club.”

The drive to incorporate Cape Coral came to life at the Yacht Club in 1969, with the formation of a citizen’s committee. About 500 people attended that first meeting. Restaurant owner Chester M. Grunsten was named general chairman. Residents were upset they were paying taxes to Lee County but seeing few of the benefits. On Aug. 18, 1970, voters approved incorporation.

One of the city’s boldest predictions was delivered by Leonard Rosen in a speech at the Yacht Club. He told his mother Cape Coral would have population of 12,000 by 1968. His mother responded. “How can you say such a thing. You can’t even keep your room clean.” Leonard was close. The population reached approximately 11,000 then.

Well-known events also took place at the Yacht Club, including Florida Miss World in 1966, with famous broadcaster Larry King the master of ceremonies. Women gathered from across the state to compete for the coveted title. Ann Duffala remembers her father actively involved in promoting the event. She also got a lifelong friend out of it.

As a student at Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckert College), Duffala remembers seeing a woman wearing a turquoise bathing suit. The women competing in the Miss Florida World pageant wore those suits and Ann also had received one of the suits. Ann walked over to the woman and asked where she got the suit? The woman responded she was in a beauty contest in Cape Coral. “We remain good friends to this day,” Duffala said.

The Yacht Club area also has been the site of expansion, renovations and additions over the years. A pair of homes were purchased by the city for approximately $1.8 million in 2003 and 2004 to make way for increased parking and picnic areas. Talks also started then for a parks master plan that included moving the boat ramp, building a parking garage and increasing boat trailer parking. Sound familiar?

A new playground and trailer parking were added by 2007.

About every club that currently exists in the city got its start at the Yacht Club, including the Social Club and Garden Club, as well as various organizations created for residents who moved here from other states.

The German American Social Club also met at the Yacht Club and had successful Oktoberfest and Carnival dances. The club outgrew the facility and moved to its current location on Pine Island Road.

The area’s first teen center, called the Key Club, also was created about five months after the Yacht Club opened. By 1977, the facility became the Cape Coral Senior Center and underwent expansions in 1978, 1988 and 1995. City Councilman Tony Rotino spearhead funding for those projects and the center was eventually named for him. Rotino remains the city’s long-serving council member, holding the seat for 16 straight years from 1978 to 1994. He made only $1 a year as a councilman, but the time he spent with residents, listening and helping, was worth much more.

“I served with Tony on city council for 10 years. He was a true public servant who loved to help people,” former mayor Joe Mazurkiewicz once said. Rotino passed away on Dec. 22, 2009, at the age of 95.

The city took over operations of the Yacht Club in September 1973, paying $100,000 to GAC, which reported the club had been losing money. The youth center closed that year as well.

In 1998, the Cape Coral City Council adopted a resolution declaring the “the Yacht Club Community Park as an historic and/or cultural resource as provided in the city of Cape Coral historic and cultural preservation ordinance.” It was signed by then mayor Roger Butler on April 23.

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Repairs to the Cape Coral Yacht Club Park Fishing Pier could cost up to $6.5 million

N early two years after Hurricane Ian hit and devastated south Cape Coral, the city council is planning to bring back the Yacht Club Park Fishing Pier in a big way.

"Basically the question that needs to be answered is how long do we want the pier to last?" Councilmember Bill Steinke said.

The city will discuss the pier's next steps, including deciding the cost of repairs, estimating permitting and construction duration, and its longevity.

The repairs, restoration, and reconstruction of the pier could cost between $4.3 million and $6.5 million.

The topic will be discussed and potentially voted on at this Wednesday's regular meeting at 10:30 a.m. in council chambers.

Here's what you need to know:

Yacht Club history Gem of the city: The original Cape Coral Yacht Club soon gone, but what of its legacy?

More Cape Coral City Council news After residential backlash, Cape Coral chooses not to go forward with meeting time changes

Pier damage

Hurricane Ian hit Cape Coral on Sept. 28, causing major damage to Cape Coral's Yacht Club Community Park and all of its facilities.

The pier is structurally compromised, with the decking and railing destroyed, and the fish cleaning stations and benches nowhere to be found.

Pile Restoration

Kimley Horn, a consulting firm focusing on public and private developments, performed two levels of investigation of the existing piles with two options on how to move forward with repairs.

Piles are driven into the ground and used as foundations for docks, and they can be wooden, concrete, or metal.

The first option would take a phased approach toward restoration of the piling, with phase one restoring 24 damaged piles and those disturbed during the investigation. Additional pile deterioration may be identified during the repair process.

This option would provide an estimated 15 years of service life for the pier, with subsequent investigation required to restore additional piles as deterioration is identified.

The second option is the complete restoration of the piling at once, providing an estimated 25 years of service life with no subsequent restoration required.

Full pier reconstruction

Two options were presented by the firm on how to proceed.

Option one would install new decking, rails, and sun shelter once the existing pile restoration has been completed with whichever pile option is chosen.

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit for maintenance would be required due to the potential disturbance of the river bottom during pile restoration.

The estimated permitting time frame for this option would be between six to nine months.

Option two is a complete reconstruction of the pier, including new piles with deck rails and a shade structure. A general permit requiring multi-agency review would be required.

The estimated permitting time frame for this option would be between 12 to 18 months.

The city has three overall options with pile restoration and pier reconstruction in mind.

If the city decided to only repair the damaged piles, the cost of full construction would be more than $4.3 million, take six to nine months of permitting, and take six to 10 months of construction.

Repairing all the piles would cost over $6.5 million, take six to nine months of permitting, and take six to 10 months of construction.

The city could also remove and replace all the piles, and that would cost over 5.4 million, take 12 to 18 months of permitting, and take six to 10 months of construction.

Cape Coral will determine funding options in the future, and potentially allocate $2 million from the state, which is to be used toward Yacht Club shoreline, beach, and pier restoration, to the project.

Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Luis at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official .

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Repairs to the Cape Coral Yacht Club Park Fishing Pier could cost up to $6.5 million

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Sierra Point Pier — Brisbane Pier

Last modified: March 23, 2022

Public Pier — No Fishing License Required

This is one of those small piers that seems designed for the regulars who go out daily for both the sport and socialization involved in fishing. It is very easy to reach, requires no parking fees, and it is a short walk out to the pier. Fishing is rarely great here but most of the regulars are sociable and the fishing itself is good often enough to keep the people coming back.

Environment . The pier is only 252 foot-long and is located on Sierra Point, land which juts out into the bay about 2 1/2 miles south of Candlestick Point. Most of the fish species and fishing found here are similar to that found across the cove at the two piers in Candlestick Point State Park. Water here, however, is somewhat shallower than at those piers and fewer fish seem to be caught. The shoreline is rock-covered (which will attract perch), the bottom is primarily mud, and the pilings are concrete with a fair growth of barnacles.

The most commonly caught fish here are small brown smoothhound sharks and staghorn sculpin. Seasonally, several varieties of perch can be caught, as can some of the larger gamefish. Winter and spring will see pileperch, black seaperch, white seaperch and a few striped and rubberlip seaperch. Spring through the fall will see more walleye surfperch, silver surfperch and shiner perch (but remember the April 1-July 31 perch closure). Much of the year sharks, rays and skates will be present, but most are caught from spring through fall. Almost any time of the year may see schools of jacksmelt. Late spring to fall is definitely the time for striped bass while late winter to spring seems the best time for both sturgeon and starry flounder.

A nice leopard shark

Fishing Tips . During the winter and spring, try for pileperch, barred surfperch, black seaperch and white seaperch around the pilings using a high/low leader, size 6 hooks, and pile worms, grass shrimp, fresh mussels, green rock crabs, barnacles or ghost shrimp for bait. During the same time of year, fish on the bottom using a flounder-sturgeon rig baited with cut anchovies, ghost shrimp, grass shrimp or pile worms for starry flounder. August into the fall try for small walleye and silver surfperch using small strips of anchovy on a multi-hook leader with size 8 hooks. Fish mid-depth around the pilings to catch the small perch.

Barred Surfperch

For jacksmelt, and they’re the most common fish caught here, use a three hook leader, size 6 or 8 hooks, and small pieces of pile worms or shrimp. Cast out away from the pier and use the leader under a large bobber or Styrofoam float. If the “horse smelt” show up, multi hookups should be the norm.

Try for sturgeon by using a flounder-sturgeon rig (with heavy line and a wire leader); fish on the bottom with ghost shrimp, grass shrimp, or mud shrimp for bait. When the herring are spawning (and this is the key time for the beasts) use herring and herring eggs as bait.

Stan (The Man) Low and a white sturgeon

For stripers, live bait is best including mudsuckers and bullheads. However, cut anchovies and sardines, pile worms, and shrimp will also produce fish when fished on the bottom. Because of the pier’s size, lack of anglers, and its nearness to the water, this is one of the better piers to try for stripers using artificial lures. Top water lures to try include Pencil Poppers, Zara Spooks, Pop-Rs and F-20 Rapalas while some regulars like to try a little deeper with Fish Traps. Remember that the early evening hours and incoming tides are usually best. Use squid, anchovies, sardines or mackerel fished on the bottom for sharks and rays.

For the larger leopard sharks and an occasional 7-gill shark try a live midshipman, mudsucker (longjaw goby), or bullhead (staghorn sculpin). For the smaller brown smoothhounds almost any bait will work although most are caught on anchovies and squid. For the huge (and small) bat rays use squid and appropriate tackle.

Good-sized white sturgeon

<*}}}}}}}}}>< — Fish surveys done by the Department of Fish and Game showed the following species (by number) caught from the pier: Jacksmelt (more than ten times more than any other fish), topsmelt, rubberlip seaperch, shiner perch, California halibut, leopard shark, bat ray, and white croaker.

Pier rod holders

The Pier Rats Speak

Date: June 19, 2003; To: PFIC Message Board; From: Jason “bayrunner; Subject: Sierra Point Pier

Got off work yesterday at around 12PM and couldn’t make up my mind worth a damn where I was going to go. Should I go back to SC and hope the baits are actually “bait size” today? Should I go to Capitola and hook up with Pescare…um parking situation 12PM? Hmmmmmm… and then for some reason Sierra Point Pier popped into mind, but wait the afternoon wind… Screw it. I’m off, I felt like throwing the cast net yesterday. Got there around 1:15PM and tried to make bait. Wind was blowing, water was muddy, 10 throws with the net and not a single shiner. Perfect, great decision again after being skunked my last three fishing trips. When then on one throw with the net I swooped up 4 topsmelt. I don’t particularly care for topsmelt. I would rather fish shiners but hey might as well get a line in right. I set up one rod on the left side of the pier right past the sink throwing directly into the fierce bay wind. I picked up my cast net and continued my search for shiners. Around 5 minutes later my rod slides down the rail, damn wind… I pick it up and line is peeling off at a rapid rate which brought me down to about half a spool on the 250. I knew it was a decent striper immediately. After the best striper battle I’ve had all year I landed this fish. Taped out just under 30”. This fish was hot; it fought better than some 20-lbers I caught. This thing went on three strong runs, charged me, shook it’s head, and swirled three times before getting in. Didn’t have another bite for the rest of the time I was there. The wind increased as the afternoon progressed and the water clarity was horrible for a shot at any halibut. I left at around 4:15 PM to get back for a last minute dinner I had to go to and I only did one 360 on my way to the truck. I have a whole new respect for topsmelt. heh heh. Jason “bayrunner”

White Sturgeon

<*}}}}}}}}}>< — Special Bay Area Regulations:

• A perch closure exits in San Francisco and San Pablo Bay from April 1 to July 31. No perch may be kept other than shinerperch (20).
• In San Francisco and San Pablo Bay a fishing line may not contain more than three hooks.

Sturgeon Regulations:

• A sturgeon report card and tags are required for anyone fishing for or taking sturgeon. (a) The card must be in the angler’s possession; (b) a tag must be used for any sturgeon retained by the angler; (c) the angler must record information on the Sturgeon Report Card immediately after catching and   keeping or releasing the sturgeon.
• White sturgeon can only be kept from 40-60 inches; larger and smaller sturgeon must be released.
• Green sturgeon may not be taken or possessed.

History Note .   Sierra Point is a prime example of Bay Area land policy decisions made in the 1950s and 1960s and helps show why so much shoreline and marsh area has been lost to development. A prominent geographic feature until the ‘60s was the large Brisbane Cove. When the Bayshore Freeway was constructed it cut right through the cove and replaced it with the much smaller lagoon that sits on the west side of the freeway (culverts under the freeway still allow water and bay fish to enter the smaller lagoon). To the east was constructed the landfill area that became Sierra Point. Today the point is home to office buildings, a shoreline trail, an exercise station and this small pier. The city of Brisbane was named in 1908 in honor of Arthur Brisbane, a well-known journalist.

Brisbane Fishing Pier Facts

Hours: Open 24 hours a day.

Facilities: Few! The pier offers benches and a fish cleaning station. There are no lights and no restrooms, nor is there a snack bar or bait and tackle shop. Nearby is an unpaved parking area and an attractive public trail heavily used by joggers. There is a small park-like setting near the foot of the pier that includes several benches for those who simply want to sit and watch the bay.

Handicapped Facilities: Handicapped parking and restrooms (but they are found at the marina gate, not at the pier). The paths are level and paved to the pier; the surface of the pier is concrete. Not posted for handicapped.

How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Sierra Point Parkway and follow it to the end. Where it ends, near the Sierra Point Yacht Club, turn left and follow the unpaved road to the unpaved parking lot near the front of the pier (northeast end of this area).

Management: City of Brisbane.

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Cape Coral Yacht Club

Cape Coral Yacht Club - Come enjoy the beachfront center for Cape Coral recreation, relaxation, and family fun!

UPDATE January 2022:  Yacht Club Beach will close for major renovations for 2 years starting in April 2022.

UPDATE September 2022:  Due to Hurricane Ian damage the Yacht Club is closed indefinitely.

An elegant fountain welcomes guests ......... and when ground was broken in 1958 to begin building Cape Coral, the Yacht Club was one of the first structures built.

It was important to provide a meeting place and recreation for new residents and also to attract more residents to the Cape during the 1960's.

Today, the Yacht Club continues to provide these services and a whole lot more!  I also think you'll get a kick out of the 60's architecture.

This original landmark is part of Yacht Club Community Park, which has a beach, pool, fishing pier, marina, boat launch, tennis, racquet ball, beach pavilion, and ballroom.

Throughout the years, the Yacht Club ballroom has been an interesting part of Cape Coral History and home to many weddings, parties, gatherings, meetings and events ....... along with 2 additional rooms that can be rented.

My daughter has enjoyed the Daddy-Daughter Dance, an event that happens there every January.

From the back of the ballroom, you can see the community public pool. Here's a video of the Cape Coral Yacht Club pool:

The Olympic-sized heated pool is open everyday from March to October from 10AM-5PM.

There is a kiddy pool too, it has a dewdrop fountain and underwater bubblers for some splashing good time!

Swimming lessons, water aerobics, exercise classes, birthday party packages, and other special events are offered throughout the year.

Annual and semi-annual memberships can be purchased and a picnic area can be rented for parties.

A small playground and shuffleboard court is right next to the pool.

Annual pool memberships run for one year, and Semi-Annual run for6 months from the date of purchase. Swim class fees and rentals are extra.

Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older.

Also located in the Cape Coral Yacht Club building is the Tony Rotino Senior Center where senior citizens can enjoy various activities like fashion shows, teas, dinner dances, exercise or computer classes, day trips, excursions, and fairs.

Next to the Senior Center and across the parking lot are the racquet ball courts.

And, just beyond the racquet ball courts and pool is the Yacht Club marina.

Also called the Cape Coral or Yacht Club Basin , the marina has 89 boat slips can dock boats up to 55 feet long.

Daily, monthly, and annual slip rentals are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

The fuel dock is open 8AM-5PM, and 9AM-5PM on holidays ....... it has gas, diesel, bait, ice, pump-out station, restrooms, showers, washer and dryer.

Next to the marina are five lighted tennis courts that are open Monday-Friday from 8AM-9PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 8AM-5PM.

Walk-ins are welcome and memberships are available for purchase.

Sign up for programs such as Peewee Tennis, Moms Morning Out, Cardio Tennis, adult and child clinics, and round robins are offered.

And, let's not forget about the boat ramp!

Boating in Cape Coral is fantastic! It's only a few miles to Sanibel ....... Ft Myers Beach, Cayo Costa, Captiva, Cabbage Key, and the Gulf of Mexico are just beyond.

Cape Coral residents can buy a $50 annual parking decal for their boat trailer at the Yacht Club or at City Hall.

Parking your boat trailer for the day costs $10 which you pay for at a station at the ramp.

You can't miss the boat ramp, it's just beyond the entrance to the park next to Yacht Club Beach.

As you can see, there are so many fun things to do here, so make sure you get on over to the Yacht Club!

For more information contact:

Yacht Club Community Park 5819 Driftwood Pkwy (239)574-0806

Related Pages to Cape Coral Yacht Club

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Live webcams, #myfortmyers moments, plan your trip, digital visitor guide, yacht club beach.

Located on the Caloosahatchee River in Cape Coral, the Yacht Club Community Park Beach is now open with limited amenities. The Boathouse Restaurant sits right next to the beach is also open. The pier, and Yacht Club facilities remain closed due to damage from Hurricane Ian.

Note:   Pardon the dust. Demolition of the main ballroom building, the Tony Rotino Center, tennis courts, pool, and Harbormaster's building...

Note:   Pardon the dust. Demolition of the main ballroom building, the Tony Rotino Center, tennis courts, pool, and Harbormaster's building is expected to begin in Dec/Jan 2023. Fencing will surround the Yacht Club's facilities as work is being done and should have little to no impact on the beach or its parking.

26.5423669, -81.9538707

(346 Google Reviews)

5819 Driftwood Pkwy Cape Coral , FL 33904 United States

Good to know

ADA Accessible

Pet Friendly

Annual Parking Sticker Accepted

Portable toilet, picnic areas, sheltered pavilion, paddlecraft launch/landing, charcoal grills, sand volleyball court, hiking trails, food/concessions, ada-accessible amenities.

Designated disability parking; ADA-accessible restrooms

Lifeguard on duty

Hours of operation.

Dawn to dusk

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The 5 Best Fishing Piers In Fort Myers, Fl

We started Captain Experiences to make it easy to book fishing and hunting guides around the world. With over 1,500 Damn Good Guides, our platform makes finding and booking a trip seamless. Head here to check out our trips.

Whether you're heading out on a fishing charter or looking to fish near the shore, Fort Myers offers some of the best access to fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. If you're looking for a cost-effective way to catch popular species in the area without the need for a boat, fishing piers are a great option. Below are 5 of the most popular fishing piers in the Fort Myers area.

1. Fort Myers Beach Pier

Location: Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier, 950 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Access Fee? Yes, a fee is required.

The Fort Myers Beach Pier, extending 560 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, is a popular fishing spot. Located near the heart of Fort Myers Beach, it offers anglers the chance to catch a variety of species, including snook, redfish, and sheepshead. While an access fee is required, the pier provides amenities such as cleaning stations and restrooms, making it a convenient and well-maintained location for anglers of all skill levels.

2. Matanzas Pass Preserve Fishing Pier

Location: Matanzas Pass Preserve, 199 Bay Rd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Access Fee? No fee is required.

Nestled within the scenic Matanzas Pass Preserve, this fishing pier offers a tranquil and natural setting for anglers. The pier stretches 450 feet into Estero Bay, providing opportunities to catch species like snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout. With no access fee, this pier is a popular choice for those seeking a more serene fishing experience amidst the beauty of the preserve.

3. Cape Coral Yacht Club Fishing Pier

Location: Cape Coral Yacht Club, 5819 Driftwood Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 33904 Access Fee? No fee is required.

Situated within the Cape Coral Yacht Club, this fishing pier is a beloved spot for anglers. The 600-foot-long pier extends into the Caloosahatchee River, offering access to species such as snook, tarpon, and sheepshead. The pier provides amenities like fish cleaning stations, benches, and lighting for night fishing. With no access fee, it is a convenient and family-friendly location for fishing enthusiasts.

4. Punta Rassa Fishing Pier

Location: Punta Rassa Boat Ramp, 18500 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33908 Access Fee? No fee is required.

Overlooking the scenic San Carlos Bay, the Punta Rassa Fishing Pier is a popular spot for anglers seeking a diverse range of fishing opportunities. This 600-foot-long pier offers access to species such as snook, redfish, and trout. The pier is conveniently located near the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp and provides easy access for anglers launching their boats. With no access fee, it is a favored destination for both local fishermen and visitors.

5. Bokeelia Fishing Pier

Location: Bokeelia Fishing Pier, 6490 Stringfellow Rd, Bokeelia, FL 33922 Access Fee? Yes, a fee is required.

Located on the northern tip of Pine Island, the Bokeelia Fishing Pier is a prime spot for anglers targeting a variety of fish species, including snook, redfish, and sheepshead. Extending approximately 250 feet into Pine Island Sound, this pier offers picturesque views and excellent fishing opportunities. While an access fee is required, the pier provides amenities such as picnic tables and cleaning stations.

Book A Fishing Experience In Fort Myers

While fishing piers in Fort Myers offer a great way to quickly access the areas fisheries, hopping on a private fishing charter to access other areas away from the shoreline and crowds can be affordable and rewarding. Find and book your next fishing trip in Fort Myers with one of our local, professional fishing guides.

Updated on August 1, 2023

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January 19, 2021

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Cape Coral Yacht Club's Pier damage estimated at $1.5 million

Cape coral city council weighs costs of fixing yacht club's beach, pier, boat ramp and other amenities..

The public is learning the full extent of Hurricane Ian's damage to the popular Cape Coral Yacht Club Pier.

According to city documents provided during a city retreat, estimates place the cost to repair it at $1.5 million.

Hurricane Ian blasted ashore on Sept. 28, causing major damage to Cape Coral's Yacht Club Community Park and all of its faculties, which were previously scheduled to be renovated in the near future. The park included the pier, beach, boat ramp and other amenities, including the Tony Rotino Center. All remain closed.

No other costs were available as of Thursday morning.

City officials planned to outline more details later today, as well as the future of the Yacht Club.

The damage to the pier includes compromised structural integrity, gazebo, electrical and plumbing, decking and railing destroyed, and fish cleaning stations and benches not found.

Other facility cost includes the ballroom building estimated at $520,000 and the Tony Rotino Center at $350,000.

The ballroom sustained damaged to its beams, thrust blocks because of flooding; and damage to the roof, windows and doors.

Meanwhile, the adjacent Tony Rotino Center sustained damage to its roof, flooring, and landscaping.

Adjoining mechanical, electric, and equipment repairs to these facilities are estimated at $300,000.

The Yacht Club after Ian Cape Coral Yacht Club damaged, and renovations are on hold

Previous coverage 'Life on the curb,' Cape Coral leader Gloria Tate gives all to city

For subscribers Cape Coral's Yacht Club Community Park still down and out after Ian

We are open YEAR-ROUND for Fishing Trips!

Book your trip today.

Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz Fishing Charters

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Monterey bay fishing charters aboard the mega-bite.

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• WEATHER ALERT Flood Warning Full Story
• WEATHER ALERT Flood Watch Full Story

Chicago Yacht Club's Race to Mackinac continues Saturday

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Hundreds of boats are sailing from Chicago towards Mackinac Island on Saturday.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The cruising division took off Friday and the racing division began Saturday.

The Race to Mackinac is the world's longest freshwater race. The length of the race is 333 miles from Navy Pier to the Round Island Channel, just off of Mackinac Island, Michigan.

There are more than 250 boats and 2,100 racers from around the world participating.

The first Race to Mackinac took place in 1898.

READ MORE | Windy City Smokeout, 2024 West Fest, Race to Mackinac bring the summer fun this weekend

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Chicago fishing: Big salmon/trout on Lake Michigan, variable conditions inland

Big coho, Chinook and lakers on Lake Michigan along with variable conditions inland with the weather lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.

Adam jacobsen and friends with the boat-record Chinook caught on the Thin Blue Line charters.

Adam Jacobsen messaged the photo at the top about catching a boat-record Chinook of 26.14 pounds on Thin Blue Line Fishing LLC with Capt . Ernesto Amparan. The big kings finally started to show.

SALMON--A-RAMA

Salmon-A-Rama continues through Sunday, July 21. Details are at salmon-a-rama.com .

YOUTH FISHING

The free Big Catch Angler Association Fishing Club’s annual youth fishing tournament is Saturday, July 20. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-big-catch-angler-association-annual-youth-fishing-tournament-tickets-894385108937

Illinois: From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources:

“Bullfrogs may be taken only by hook and line, gig, pitchfork, spear, bow and line, or bow and arrow and arrow, hand, or landing net.June 15 through October 15, both dates inclusiveDaily Harvest Limit is 8; possession limit is 16A sport fishing license is required to harvest reptiles and amphibians”

Indiana: From the Indiana DNR:

“Frog hunting season runs from June 15, 2024 – April 30, 2025, and hunters can harvest the American bullfrog and green frog. The bag limit is 25 frogs per day with a possession limit of 50 frogs, and any combination of bullfrogs or green frogs maybe be used to reach these bag and harvest limits.”

CHICAGO PASSES

Park Bait and Bridgeport Bait and Tackle are now selling parking passes. Email [email protected] with questions. Chicago Park District parking passes ($20 for two months) are for the anglers’ parking lots at DuSable and Burnham harbors.

NAVY PIER ANGLING

North side of Navy Pier is open for anglers. Discounted parking for anglers is $9 daily, beginning at 5 a.m.; must be out by 10 a.m. for the discount. Click here to prepay for the discounted tickets.

LAKEFRONT PARKING

My column from Nov. 30, 2022, on parking the length of the Chicago lakefront is posted at https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/11/30/23485385/chicago-lakefront-parking-fishing

Dave Kranz of Dave’s Bait, Tackle and Taxidermy in Crystal Lake and with his You-Tube channel, Dave Kranz Living the wild outdoors , texted:

Summer heat, storms and wind have made fishing day’s limited.

Ken “Husker” O’Malley holds a big bluegill caught from local waters.

Ken “Husker” O’Malley of Husker Outdoors emailed the photos above and below, and this:

Hey Dale, Here a recap from the past weekends fishing. The unstable atmosphere that we are having has created some excellent bite windows for both bass and bluegill. Swim baits rigged weedless have been very productive as a search tool to cover water and find those active bass. Throw back a texas rigged senko on a Vector Hooks 4/0 EWG on misses. FINS Braids spin 5 braid is a great choice when pulling bass out of heavy cover. Bluegill have been very active along outside weedlines using a Wiggleyourworm_fishing custom ice jig paired with a Wackem and Stackem Custom Baits micro split tail. FINS crappie braid is perfect for this setup to detect those light biters. Looks as though we have one more day in this weather pattern before it breaks. Get out and play those bite windows. Here is the nature pic of the week courtesy of Hailey O’Malley. TTYL Ken “Husker” O’Malley Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team

Nature photo for this week: What I think is a pipevine swallowtail.

Hailey O’Malley

Dan Edwards at Bridgeport Bait and Tackle said whopper ploppers were working for largemouth bass on local private ponds; some smaller crappie at Saganashkee Slough. The shop holds a free anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 20, with kids events, giveaways and free hot dogs for the kids.

Rob “The Brushfather” Reed holds a largemouth bass from Island Lake.

Provided by Rob Abouchar

Rob Abouchar messaged the photo above and this:

Hi Dale The great bite for largemouth bass continued this week on island lake. I had Rob “The Brushfather” Reed from Santa Clarita California of Ergo Styling tools fame I u on Saturday morning. We caught some very nice largemouth on oxblood robo worms rigged on slip shot Texas rigged and wacky rig. Fish were in a backwater bay near a fountain feeding on bait fish. Also midlake grass areas were productive for largemouth. I got some more bass on Berkeley slobberknocker in gold and white in grass beds. I got some bluegill in a small mepps in line bucktail spinner. I pulled the boat Sunday and headed north to the Wisconsin River. On Alexander flowage I resumed my quest for a musky on a senko and found pike hitting in weedy areas in 1 to 5 feet of water. Some small but very fat smallmouth indicates plenty of forsge is available. The flowage seemed quiet as it was Monday afternoon and the recent rains have been keeping people away. Will be back on the water rigged with several different sizes and rigs for the senko...a wirine leader may be in order. On the music front this week It’s Reggies rock club in Chicago with Gozortenplat Friday and Family fest at lily lake with midnite mile. The first Gozortenplat show in Milwaukee was a smashing success and we are announcing zappafest with Ray white for December in Milwaukee. Time is flying by gotta get after that senko esox! Tight lines and good health! Rob

BRAIDWOOD LAKE

Open daily 6 a.m. to sunset.

Click here for a preview that gives hope for a good year.

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA

Kyle Tepper at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said white bass picking up on Channel and Marie, jig and minnow or bladebait or Wolf River rig; crappie in 12-14 on slip-bobbers; bluegills are both deep 8-10 off weed line or shallow with half crawler and a slip-bobber; catfish very good around the bridges cutbait, shrimp or chicken liver; smaller flatheads or big channels with cutbait; pike very active on south end, especially Pistakee, suckers or spinner baits; bass topwaters morning, then plastics and jigs.

NOTE: Both upriver and downriver are no-wake. Check updates at foxwaterway.com or (847) 587-8540.

NOTE 2: Stratton Lock and Dam is open 8 a.m. to midnight through Sept. 30

CHICAGO RIVER

Jeffrey Williams of letsgettemfishing messaged:

Did do a couple of sessions on riverwalk, lately i been Noticing that i been catching more white crappies than black ones, bait wise they were more interested in plastics than the real ones, i was using gulp minnows on a 1/16 oz jighead, finding good Structure is the key to finding em

COOLING LAKES

Braidwood, Heidecke and LaSalle are open daily 6 a.m.-sunset.

DELAVAN LAKE, WISCONSIN

Arden Kazt said bluegill are outstanding in 14-16 feet, right off the weed line, on leaf worms, take sorting; quality largemouth in 14-17 feet off the weed line with jigs or drop-shot worms.

Capt. Dave Duwe emailed:

Delavan Lake 7/15/24 through 7/22/24 Delavan lake fishing has been fantastic. The northern and largemouth bite is exceptional. It has been almost boring at times catching 16-23 inch largemouth bass !?!? I have to remember when fishing is tough ho w good this time of year is. Largemouth bass are on the deep weedline in 16-18 ft of water. I’ve been catching them on nightcrawlers or drop shotting small plastic worms. Concentrate on locations in the weeds that have a hard bottom. This is obvious with a good fish locator. On my sonar it will show up as very dark red. Look for the fish along the north shore from the Yacht Club to Willow Point. Smallmouth bass have been all right. I’ve been catching a few fish almost every trip out. The average size is about 17 inches. I’m either catching them on small suckers or on a lindy rigged nightcrawler. They are not on the weedline. They are about 3 ft outside the weeds in 20-21 ft of water. Try by the Oriental boathouse or west of Willow Point. Bluegills remain everywhere on the lake. The key to catching them is to stay in the deeper water. The best bite has been in 20-22 ft of water. Belvidere Park or the point by the gray condos is producing most of the action. Leaf worms fished on a single hook has been the best approach. Northern Pike have been aggressive throughout last week. Lindy rigged suckers are producing most of the action. It has been kind of hard the last few weeks to get the suckers. Either one or both of the bait shops have been out frequently. Fish the pike suspended in 20-25 ft of water about 2-3 ft off bottom. Last week was the first in a couple that the average size was around 25 inches and I didn’t catch a legal fish. Walleye fishing has been okay. I’m catching a few on nightcrawlers right at low light conditions, either 5-5:30 a.m. or 8-8:30 pm. Leeches and nightcrawlers fished on a lindy rig are producing most of the fish. The best depth has been around 19 ft of water. Fish the areas by Willow Point or by the gray condo weedline. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063.

DES PLAINES RIVER

In various stages of flood.

HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Open daily through Labor Day, Sept. 2, sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Details are at https://www.wetlands-initiative.org/dixon-paddling-fishing .

POWERTON: Both bank and boat fishing are open. Hours are 6 a.m.-8 p.m. through Sept. 30.

EMIQUON PRESERVE: Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Access permits and liability waivers are available Tuesday to Saturday at Dickson Mounts Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details at https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/2024EmiquonLakeAccessRules.pdf .

SPRING LAKE: Open.

DuPAGE RIVER

High near flood stage in most areas.

River is in flood at Algonquin and high or near flood in other areas. There is a no-wake in effect from the Algonquin Dam to the Stratton Lock and Dam and there may be no-wake in other areas, too.

Late last week before the latest rains, Pete Lamar emailed:

As far as fishing, I tried the Fox Tuesday night-hours after submitting a report to you-down near Oswego and Montgomery. It wasn’t raining hard-let’s call it a steady drizzle-but it went on all night and totals were a half inch or more. The river was running high while I was there and probably became unfishable with all the subsequent rain. But I got into a few fish. With only one exception, all came from right up against the bank. These weren’t areas of slower current; they were areas of no discernible current. They seemed to be avoiding fighting the current at all costs. The exception was a hard fighting 16 inch fish. I was using a trout Spey rod and wish I could say that I made a beautiful snake roll cast to a likely spot and the fish was so impressed that it had no choice but to attack the fly. Instead, I had the line in the water with the fly dangling downstream as I navigated under a tree limb overhanging the river. The fish hit and hooked itself while I was trying not to bend so far that water would go over the top of my waders. The fish turned out to be a classic river smallmouth, built like a torpedo, long and thin, rather than the rugby ball shape of his lake-dwelling relatives. It hasn’t rained since, so the river may finally be on its way to normal Summer levels in a few more days. Pete

Summer heat, storms and wind have made fishing day’s limited. Catfishing is still great on the Fox River. Use cut bait or stink bait. Smallmouth Bass fishing is excellent below Algonquin Dam all the way to the Illinois River. Small spinners or top water baits will work well.

GENEVA LAKE, WISCONSIN

Arden Katz said night fishing for quality largemouth and smallmouth drop-shotting Berkley Flat Worms is in 16-22 feet, also picked up some bonus walleye to 22 inches.

Lake Geneva 7/15/11 through 7/22/24 Lake Geneva fishing is still going steady. There are several active species and some numbers on the panfish as well. The mid- summer traffic is heavy but there’s always room to fish on Geneva. Bluegill fishing has been good in 16-18 ft of water. Look for the fish by Elgin Club or by Covenant Harbor. The best approach is split shot rigging leaf worms straight beneath the boat. I prefer to drift and once I find a school, I will anchor on them. This time of year, I catch my biggest bluegills of the year in the deeper water. You need to move until you find an active school. Largemouth bass are being caught in 14-16 ft of water. The best approach is drop shotting small finesse worms in green pumpkin or watermelon seed. The best location is on the weedline in Trinkes or by Linn Pier. Another approach this time of year is dragging a ¾ oz football head jig along bottom with an Arkie Crawlin’ Grub in root beer red flake. You can also catch largemouth bass on top water lures by the old Military Academy or in Williams Bay. Any top water lure in chrome/blue or chrome/black will do the trick. Lake Trout fishing has been excellent. The fish are in 108-110 ft of water approximately 75-90 ft down in the main lake basin. They can be caught on Dodgers and Flies. Use a silver Dodger and a green fly. Some success has also been coming off of nickel/green or nickel/blue spoons fished on down riggers. The best time to fish is the first two hours of sunlight or the last two hours of sunlight in the evening. Rock bass continue to be the most active fish in the lake. They can be caught in 12-15 ft of water. The best location is by Belvidere Park or by Knollwood. The rock bass can’t resist a split shot rigged nightcrawler. Walleye fishing has been good after midnight. The key to walleye fishing is to fish an evening when there is some winds. If there isn’t any wind, they don’t seem to bite as well. Look for the fish in Williams Bay or by the beach in Fontana. You can catch them one of two ways. Lindy rigging Jumbo leeches or trolling medium diving crankbaits. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063

GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN

Keith Kornburger, of Markesan, Wisconsin, holds a largemouth bass, caught on a drop-shot rig, caught on a drop-shot rig.

Mike Norris

Guide Mike Norris texted the photo above and emailed this:

Fishing Report – 7/15/2024 By Mike Norris Big Green Lake: The surface temperature on Big Green rose to 79 degrees last week, and the smallmouth bass have all but vacated the flats and moved out to the deep weed edge. This is a great time to hook up with big smallmouth bass as they pursue crayfish, bluegills, and perch. A Strike King structure jig paired with a crawfish imitation bait shines this time of the year. Plenty of largemouth bass are still in the mid-depth range, and I have been targeting them with either a drop-shot rig paired with a Berkley Flat Worm or Geecracker Bellows Gill. When paired with a weedless Owner Wacky Jig, a Bass Pro Shops Stick-O lure is a great alternative presentation for fishing through cabbage weeds. Duckweed is now spreading across the lake and reducing visibility in some areas. Try to avoid it. Fox Lake: Fox Lake’s water levels are also higher than normal, reducing visibility. However, fish can find food in dirty water, and I am receiving reports of good catches of largemouth bass and walleye. For largemouth bass, try working a flat-billed crankbait with rattles around the rocky tips of the islands. Try a jig and twister tail at the same locations for walleye. Crappie fishing is good in the basin with a minnow and split shot. Forty-six and 55-inch muskies were caught on Fox Lake last week. Lake Puckaway: The water level on this lake continues to rise due to recent rainfall, and the increased water flow has improved both the pike and walleye bite. Anglers are catching northern pike and walleye on a variety of lures. My favorite lure to throw is a #3 white Mepps bucktail.

GREEN/STURGEON BAYS, WISCONSIN

Click here for the Wisconsin DNR weekly report.

HEIDECKE LAKE

KANKAKEE RIVER

George Peters holds a bass caught from the Kankakee River before the rains.

George Peters emailed the photo above and this:

Hi Dale! Summer river fishing in Illinois is a challenge. Last week prior to and between thunderstorms fish were feeding on crawdads in moving current, this 20" max size is an example. Now flood waters have put a halt on fishing. Unlike lakes, especially in the south where you can catch fish over 300 days a year, the Kankakee probably has 10 weeks or less when fishing is good. This is good for the fish but bad for fishermen. If you work all week and can only fish weekends that leaves maybe 20 days to fish, unless the floods are on the weekends or it’s your wedding anniversary! Take heart, the challenge is the best part that’s why I keep at it. G.Peters

Click here for the Ohio DNR Report.

Mark Sipolt and his dad Sparky Mark came near to catching a grand slam out of Chicago.

Provided by Bruce Kalinowski

Bruce Kalinowski emailed the photo above and this:

ITS NICE TO FISH WITH YOUNGER KIDS THAT LISTEN TO YOU YOUNG MARK SIPOLT AND HIS FATHER SPARKY MARK WENT 5 FOR 5 MISSING THE BROWN FOR THE GRAND SLAM HE HAD SOME NICE FISH ON AND PLAYED THEM WELL 19 LB LAKE TROUT 18 LB KING 10 STEEL HEAD 7 LB COHO WE DID WELL IN THE ELEMENTS. WE WERE OUT IN 5 TO 7 FOOT WAVES AFTER THE SECOND STORM HIT IT WAS NOT A FUN RIDE IN FROM 170 FOW OFF EVANTSON

Johnny McIntyre holds a steelhead, one of many big fish caught in recent days off Chicago on Angler Charters.

Johnny McIntyre , who has been mating for Capt . Gintas Ancevicius on Angler Charters out of Belmont Harbor and also working at Bridgeport Bait and Tackle , emailed the photo above and this:

Dale, Here is a quick report and some more pictures. Myself and Captain Gintas have been blown away with the fishing on the Angler. There is truly so much life in our waters, it feels like Jurassic park out there sometimes . The theme of the week has been appreciating the amazing fishery we have here while being knee deep in coho, kings, steelhead, and lakers every single day, with the fish getting bigger every trip. The summer bite IS ON! The year of the coho continues with big, healthy, and fast coho continue to gorge themselves in deeper water. We’ve run into some big king salmon, with one weighing in just under 25 pounds. Nearly spooled us on the initial run. Had to turn the boat and pull lines to land the King. Such a powerful animal. (pictured below) We also landed a giant summer run steelhead/rainbow trout on a lead core. The 15 pounder jumped completely out of the water 3 times before hitting the deck. Pictured below. Lake trout- big, heavy, mean, and deep. Coming on larger spoons and spinners. Feeding on large alewives. In deeper water. They get bigger every trip. They make for such a cool fight with massive head shakes and raw power. The beasts of Lake Michigan. The bigger fish have started to wake up and feed for the summer. More size to come. I believe Danny will be calling you to give you the bait shop report. Thanks dale, hope your doing well my friend- Johnny McIntyre

Quinn Wunar holds a smallmouth bass from the Chicago lakefront.

Quinn Wunar messaged the photo above and this on X:

The deep summer smallmouth bite on an ultralight and slip bobber has been awesome btw. Lot of really big smallies staying resident

That’s some good news.

Dan Edwards at Bridgeport Bait and Tackle said some perch being caught from shore around Cal Harbor; some bass and bluegill around Science and Industry; and some big rock bass at Northerly Island

Scott Wolfe of School of Fish Charters emailed:

Waukegan 7/15 Hi Dale. This season is one for the history books. One of the best Lake Michigan seasons ever. Incredible limit and near limit catches of mostly coho with chinook, lake trout and steelhead most trips this week. The average coho is 6-10 pounds with some much larger in the mix. The fish were moving deeper throughout the week. We started in 80-90 feet early in the week. By Sunday 150 to 200 was great. The best set ups this week were Musselhead flashers in Cornfed and Megatron in front of Jimmy Fly bullfrog and Aqua flies on divers and downriggers 45 to 75 feet. Stubbie dodgers with White, Aqua and blue/green flies and Warrior Spoons in Glow patterns with Blueberry Muffin, Pink Bloomers and Bloody Nose run in those same depths worked well. We certainly don’t get mid July catches like this on Sundays trip most years. It’s common this year. Capt Scott Wolfe 312-933-0552

LaSALLE LAKE

Open daily 6 a.m. to sunset. As a perched lake, boating is closed when winds top or will top 14 mph. Check daily updates on boating at (815) 640-8099.

MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN

Click here for the update from D&S Bait , Tackle & Fly Shop .

Hours are 6 a.m. to sunset.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

Kurt Justice at Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua emailed:

With surface water temps into the mid-70’s (74-77 degrees), summer patterns settling in. Warm days in the 80’s, and all that brings – lots of boat traffic, it’s best to schedule your fishing early and late in the day (even after dark!). Largemouth: Very Good – The “heroes” of summer! Evening action on top-water baits such as plastic frogs and spiders, buzz baits and tail baits such as Whopper Ploppers HOT! Early mornings twitchbaits on inside weed lines and great Wacky Worm action throughout the day. Mid-day fish also coming on square bill cranks and chatterbaits over cabbage flats and stump fields. Nice fish to 6#’s reported (with photographic proof) this past week on the above-mentioned baits. Bluegill: Very Good – Actively chasing small plastics (1-2” twister tails) roaming cabbage flats and coontail tops. Fan casting these areas to locate then coming back with small leeches under small floats effective. Smallmouth: Good-Very Good – Working rock/gravel humps with drop-shot rigs using 2 ½” Gulp Alive minnows or 3” Wacky Worms, Ned Rigs and tube jigs in 14-22’ of water. Search deep coontail edges also, especially with the drop-shot rigs. Crappie: Good-Very Good – Work deep weed tops using jig/minnow, 3” Keitech Swing baits or 2” twister tails. Aggressive fish willing to chase and take! On flowages deep wood in 16-20’+ using tubes or jig/minnow combos. Yellow Perch: Good – Finding in heavy weeds using weedless jigs tipped with minnows or crawlers. Also picking up nice Perch on 3” Wacky Worms and light Ned Rigs. Good Perch in the 9-11” range. Walleye: Good – Either along deep weed edges or 14-18’ or out on rocky bars of 18-26’. Use redtails or the largest leeches you can find. 1/8-1/4 oz jigs, Lindy Rigs, drop-shotting and slip-bobber rigs. The brighter the day the deeper typically. Mornings and evenings. Lighted slip-floats in 10-14’ weeds at night. Northern Pike: Good – Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits over cabbage flats. Twitchbaits also effective. Musky: Good – Early and late. Bucktails and top-water bait time. Work weeds early, then moving out to deeper water as the heat builds. After dark, top-water for the fearless! Typical summer-time patterns, nice that the weather has finally matched the calendar. Enjoy this time, get out early on the larger lakes – boat traffic building by 9:30-10:00 AM. We anglers need to share, so pick your time on the water wisely. Kurt Justice Kurt’s Island Sports Shop – Like us on FaceBook

NORTHWEST INDIANA

Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted:

Perch bite has been decent to good for a lot of groups fishing from the dune state park building to Michigan city in 25 to 35ft of water using baby golden roaches Trollers getting a mix bag of salmon and trout fishing 80 to 150ft of water. A lot of warm water around making the bite on the tough side last week. Catfish at night fishing deep river and burns ditch using triple s stinkbait and shad. Crappie at night for boaters fishing pine lake in Laporte using minnows under lights in 24ish ft of water.

ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN

Click here for the Wisconsin DNR’s report, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday.

SHABBONA LAKE

John Honiotes at Boondocks reported catfish continue good, especially on shrimp; good walleye action; bass picking up in the lily pads and crappie slowed; water was 79 Tuesday.

Site hours are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. through Oct. 31.

Boondocks is open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN LAKEFRONT

Click here for the southern Lake Michigan reports from the Wisconsin DNR.

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said perch 23-30 feet; north or south; 80-120 for silver fish; drum off the pier.

WISCONSIN RIVER

Rob Abouchar messaged:

Hi Dale . . . I pulled the boat Sunday and headed north to the Wisconsin River. On Alexander flowage I resumed my quest for a musky on a senko and found pike hitting in weedy areas in 1 to 5 feet of water. Some small but very fat smallmouth indicates plenty of forsge is available. The flowage seemed quiet as it was Monday afternoon and the recent rains have been keeping people away. Will be back on the water rigged with several different sizes and rigs for the senko...a wirine leader may be in order. . . . Time is flying by gotta get after that senko esox! Tight lines and good health! Rob

WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN

Dan Edwards at Bridgeport Bait and Tackle said some nice walleye being caught from the Wolf River.