I’ve known about these ponds for a little over a year. Research shows that nobody knows if there are fish in them and nobody knows if anybody goes their to find out. I was encouraged to give it a try and fill in the blanks. I already knew most pond fishermen would never go looking. 95 percent of pond fishermen won’t travel more than 100 yards from their parked cars. These ponds were a good half mile hike through the woods.
I tried to do this over the summer of 2011. There are only two spots off the side of a little used road to park. You can’t go there if the ground is saturated with water, there’s a good chance your car won’t get out. The time I went I was met with what seemed to be an impenetrable wall of green. I decided to wait till winter or spring to give it another try.
Winds up it’s not as bad as it looks. There’s a well worn animal trail that goes all the way back to the ponds.
Deer paths are everywhere through these woods and I spooked up a few deer as I walked. All along the path and heading in other directions through the woods were hedge rows made up of Osage Orange trees. I’ve never seen as many as I saw here anywhere else I’ve ever wandered. They were also some of the oldest Osage Orange trees I’ve ever come across.
There are four small ponds out here. I didn’t bother bringing any fishing gear because I assumed I was going to have to do some pretty extensive bush whacking. Not the case at all, it was a cake walk.
Not sure which of these ponds will hold fish. The first one only had a couple of accessible shore spots and seemed shallow, but rings were being made by fish in a few spots.
The next pond seemed to be about as big as the first. This one had virtually nothing along it’s shores except for a few cattails and weeds. It too seemed kind of shallow, but there were rings appearing on the surface here too.
The third pond was the biggest of the four. Looked pretty impressive for it’s small size and I could tell it had some better depth.
Would be interesting to drag a small canoe or kayak back here for this pond. Much better casting angles from the water side of the pond.
The fourth pond was the smallest, but it was also the clearest. Couldn’t get a good read on how deep it might be.
Remnants of what this used to be lies along one shore. I have a pretty good idea of what it was used for, but that would be giving away too much information.
There is a fifth pond, the biggest of all of them, but it sits out in the middle of a field. I got close, but didn’t bother walking around it or directly up to it. I could see nothing that indicated that there was anything along it’s shores. Besides, the wind in the open field with the colder air was kicking my butt and I didn’t feel like dealing with it.
Next trip to these ponds should be within a week. I want to get there before the shore line grasses make casting that much more difficult.
Now I have to go dig around in my fishing tackle. I know I have pond fishing lures around somewhere.
Unless I sold them all off.
bob france
27 Mar 2012Its true about that 100 yard thing. If I could get a good cast from my car I would cast from the car!
Ken G
27 Mar 2012I once told a guy at North Aurora on the Fox that if he walked about 200 yards down and fished the shore under the wires that went over the river, he’d probably do pretty well. He looked down the river, said – I don’t want to walk down there – and continued to cast to a spot that held nothing.
To each their own.
Mari
27 Mar 2012You certainly have me imagining an afternoon by the pond.
Ken G
27 Mar 2012The nice part is that these ponds are out in the middle of nowhere and nowhere is surrounded by lots of nothing. My ideal kind of spot.
walt franklin
27 Mar 2012Ken,
Hidden ponds are like small islands for me, especially when remote yet close at hand. Full of secrets and possibilities, thus their appeal. Last summer I found one 15 minutes into the woods in front of my house. It’s only several years old but deep, small and edged with cattails on one side. It’s fun to sneak out there with a fly rod and catch small sunnies due to its proximity to the house. I think I’m one of only a few people in the world who know of its existence, and I’m wondering if bass may soon appear. Your ponds may have a similar appeal.
Ken G
27 Mar 2012Walt, the hike in alone was worth it. The rings being left on the water were intriguing. It’s usually mandatory to at least stock a pond with bluegills to control the mosquito population. Hopefully, no carp.
Was nice to see no other foot prints anywhere.
Dan Roloff
27 Mar 2012I know some hidden ponds on the north section of the DPR, lots of good fishing in them. Those look interesting, can’t wait to see what you pull out.
Ken G
27 Mar 2012Hopefully more than weeds.
bob
27 Mar 2012i’m sick of chicago. well not sick, just sick of the hordes.
Ken G
27 Mar 2012You would wander around these ponds, picking them apart for hours. I would have to drag you away kicking and screaming.
Or you would make me come back and get you the next morning.
Nature in the Burbs
27 Mar 2012I’ve seen pond ripples that have turned out to be water bugs not fish, hopefully not the case with your ponds. That one pond looked like it used to be on a golf course!
Ken G
27 Mar 2012I was watching the bugs, not them. It’ll probably be huge schools of minnows.
Golf course? Ummmm, nope 🙂
Robin
5 Apr 2012Now you’re singing my song! I love ponds like that. Maybe a nightcrawler on a hook at sunset? Sacrilege for many “serious” fishermen, I know, but a good way to hook a bullhead catfish. Also sacrilege, but a favourite quarry of mine.
Robin
Rusty Ring: Reflections of an Old-Timey Hermit
Ken G
6 Apr 2012I’ve yet to go back Robin. Cold front came through and we had a pretty heavy frost last night. Letting things warm up again. May go this weekend to see what’s moving, if anything.
With ponds I have an anything goes attitude. I’ll throw in anything to catch anything. Should be interesting.