Do
you have winter fishing blues? Well hopefully Lake Braidwood will spice up
your day. This lake is rated #1 for early spring fishing waters in my book
(opening day is March 1st ). In the
following paragraphs you will soon learn how to make this a spring
favorite for yourself!
This lake is a cooling lake for ComEd. Braidwood’s fish population
consists of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, muskie,
and bluegills. The lake will never freeze because of the warm discharge
that the plant is constantly producing. Last year on March 4th
the water temperature close to the discharge was about 70 degrees! Wow
water a feeling….to be fishing in 18 degree weather and the water is 70
degrees! Now, I am not saying that everything about the lake is perfect,
in fact here are some disadvantages
- The lake can get very crowded. If we get a warm day in March the
lake will be packed. If you are not there early you will wait in a
line to launch your boat.
- The lake can get very foggy. Since the water is so warm and air is
so cold, thick fog can form on the lake. If the lake is foggy please
take caution while navigating around the lake. So far I have not seen
them close the launch because of fog, but if accidents start to happen
I’m sure they will.
- The lake can get very windy. This lake was built up high with no
trees to block the wind, in fact they want to catch the wind so it
will help cool off the water. Be careful under high wind situations,
also if the wind is over 25 miles per hour the launch will be closed.
So before you make a long trip make sure you watched the weather the
night before.
- In some spots on the lake there are waterway hazards. They should be
all marked by buoys, but still be careful.
Some of my favorite times to fish is when it is cold and windy. For
some reason I seem to catch a lot of fish then. Another thing that is nice
on cold windy days is that not a lot of people will go out fishing and you
should not have to fight for a fishing spots.
I like to fish the rip-rap on the east shore and some of the steeper
banks throughout the lake. Weeds grow in different areas every year, so if
you can find the weeds I am sure you will find fish. I know that most of
the anglers that fish this lake always will have a black and blue jig tied
on one rod and a rattle trap tied on another. For some reason these baits
always seem to produce.
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